Effective pacing starts with understanding your personal reading speed and adjusting your strategy accordingly. Most successful test-takers spend 8-9 minutes per passage (including reading and answering questions), which requires active reading—annotating key points, identifying the main argument, and noting structural shifts rather than passively reading every word. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction can help you identify which passage types slow you down and develop targeted strategies, whether that's skimming certain sections, pre-reading questions, or adjusting your annotation approach.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but students typically see 3-7 point gains (on the 120-180 LSAT scale) after focused work on Reading Comprehension. The key is identifying your specific weaknesses—whether that's inference questions, comparative reading, or time management—and practicing strategically with feedback. Tutors can accelerate this process by pinpointing exactly where you're losing points and providing targeted strategies rather than generic test prep.

Reading Comprehension features several question types: main point/primary purpose questions (asking about the passage's overall argument), detail questions (testing specific facts), inference questions (requiring you to draw conclusions), comparative questions (in dual passages), and tone/author's attitude questions. Each requires a different approach—main point questions reward careful passage mapping, while inference questions demand that you distinguish between what's directly stated and what's reasonably implied. Working with a tutor helps you develop a systematic method for each question type so you're not second-guessing yourself under time pressure.

Effective LSAT prep typically involves 3-4 months of consistent study, with Reading Comprehension practice integrated throughout. A strong schedule includes: weeks 1-2 (learning question types and strategies), weeks 3-8 (timed practice on individual passages and mixed sets), and weeks 9-12 (full-length practice tests under test conditions). Spacing out your practice and mixing in untimed review helps build both speed and accuracy. Personalized tutoring can help you customize this timeline based on your starting score and target goal.

Full-length practice tests are essential because they simulate test conditions and reveal patterns in your performance that isolated drills might miss—like whether you consistently struggle with certain passage types or lose focus toward the end. Most students benefit from taking 5-10 full-length tests throughout their prep, with detailed review of every question you miss. A tutor can help you analyze your practice test results strategically, identifying whether your errors stem from comprehension issues, time pressure, or question misinterpretation, then adjust your prep accordingly.

Test anxiety often peaks during Reading Comprehension because you're racing against the clock and can't easily return to passages. Building confidence comes from repeated, successful practice under timed conditions—this trains your brain that you can handle the pressure. Practical strategies include taking deep breaths between passages, reminding yourself that you don't need to understand every word (just the main argument), and having a clear plan for what to do if you fall behind (skip a difficult passage rather than panic). Tutors can help you practice these strategies during mock tests so they feel natural on test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have deep knowledge of LSAT strategies and can diagnose your specific weaknesses in Reading Comprehension. When matching with a tutor, look for someone with a strong track record helping students improve their RC scores and experience teaching the strategies that work for your learning style. Your first session should focus on a diagnostic assessment—having your tutor review a timed practice section to identify patterns in your errors and create a targeted improvement plan.