LNAT 2024 Comprehension Section A – Should You Read the Passage First or the Questions First

Passage first? or Questions first? – The LNAT 2024 dilemma

When approaching the LNAT Comprehension section, a common dilemma is whether to read the questions first or the passage first.

Also, students who have recently taken the LNAT often comment that with just a bit more time, they could have performed much better.

So why is there such a widespread issue with time management in part A of the LNAT ?

The LNAT 2024 Challenge

The LNAT comprises 12 passages, each averaging around 500 words, and 42 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be answered within 95 minutes.

• This breaks down to approximately 2.26 minutes per question.
• For a passage with three MCQs, you have about 6.78 minutes to read the passage and answer the questions.
• For passages with four MCQs, you have roughly 9.04 minutes.

The LNAT passages are relatively complex, requiring a thorough reading and understanding, as many questions will not have direct answers.

Time Management is Key

Given the time constraints, effective time management becomes crucial when you sit for the LNAT test.

This brings us to the question: should you read the passage first or the questions first? Let’s explore both approaches and a third hybrid approach to determine the most efficient strategy.

Reading the Passage First

Advantages

• Holistic Understanding: Reading the passage first allows you to grasp the overall context and what the author is trying to convey.
• Mental Mapping: You can form a mental map of the passage, helping you locate where specific information is discussed.
• Inference Questions: This approach is beneficial for inference questions, which require an understanding of the big picture.

Disadvantages

• Lack of Focus: Without knowing what the questions are, your reading may lack focus.
• Time Inefficiency: Spending too much time reading the passage might leave you with insufficient time to answer the questions.
• Back-and-Forth: You might need to go back and forth between the passage and questions, which can be time-consuming.

Reading the Questions First

Advantages

• Targeted Reading: Knowing the questions in advance allows for a more focused approach, skimming and scanning for relevant information.
• Direct Questions: This method is ideal for questions with direct answers in the passage.
• Higher Completion Rate: Students using this approach tend to complete more questions within the allotted time.

Disadvantages

• Shallow Understanding: This method may result in a superficial understanding of the passage.
• Inference Questions: It is less effective for inference questions that require a comprehensive understanding of the passage.
• Lower Accuracy: Students using this approach often show lower accuracy rates despite answering more questions.

The Hybrid Approach

Advantages

• Balanced Understanding: Skimming the passage first gives a quick overview, followed by a more focused reading after seeing the questions.
• Focused Reading: After knowing the questions, you can concentrate on the relevant parts during the second reading.
• Improved Accuracy: This method combines the strengths of both previous approaches, potentially improving both accuracy and time management.

Disadvantages

More time required: This approach involves reading the passage twice, which may take more time.

Recommendation

I recommend using the hybrid approach for the LNAT 2024. Begin by skimming the passage to get a general idea, then read the questions to understand what to look for, and finally, do a focused reading of the passage.

This method strikes a balance between understanding and efficiency.

Finding Your Best Approach

Ultimately, the best approach depends on your reading style and comprehension abilities.

To identify which method works best for you, take practice tests using each of the three approaches and compare your results in terms of both time and accuracy.

Practice Makes Perfect

Once you have identified your optimal approach, the key is consistent practice.

Check out Lawmint.uk for numerous resources and articles to aid your LNAT 2024 preparation.

You can also access a free LNAT 2024 practice paper on our website. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, feel free to reach out.