LNAT 2024 and 2025 Essay – Read the Passage first or Read the Questions first?

The Law National Aptitude Test – LNAT is as much about time-management, as it is about your comprehension, language and logical reasoning skills. Section A of the test will have 12 comprehension passages, with an average length of around 500 words. There will be 42 questions based on these passages; to be answered in 95 minutes.

Students will have 2.26 minutes to answer each question. This translates to 6.78 minutes to tackle a passage with 3 questions and 9.04 minutes to complete a passage with 4 questions. That is to read the passage, read the questions and find the answers. Proper time management is paramount to doing well in the test.

In fact, most previous test takers will agree that would have scored significantly higher marks, if they had more time; or had practiced solving the LNAT in a shorter time-frame.

While preparing for the LNAT 2024 and 2025, one recurring question students grapple with is whether to read the passage first or the questions first when approaching the comprehension questions. This is a crucial part of the time management process.

The answer, though not uniform, lies in understanding the intricacies of both approaches, their benefits, drawbacks, and, crucially, your individual reading and comprehension skills.

In this article, let us look at both the approaches and we will also touch upon the trick to deciding which approach works for you.

Reading the LNAT comprehension passage first

Let’s first consider the merits of reading the passage first. This approach allows a holistic comprehension of the material before diving into the specifics required by the questions. It helps form a mental map of the text and provides context for better understanding the questions.

Research suggests that this approach often results in a more accurate comprehension of the text, especially for complex or convoluted passages. According to a study published by the Journal of Educational Psychology in 2021, students who read the passage first showed a 14% higher accuracy rate in answering comprehension questions compared to those who read the questions first.

Disadvantage of the ‘passage first’ approach

However, the disadvantage of this approach is time-efficiency. The LNAT is a timed test, with a strict limit of 95 minutes for the multiple-choice section. Reading the entire passage thoroughly first may consume precious minutes, leaving less time to deliberate over the answers to the questions. This could be especially problematic if the passage is dense or long.

Reading the LNAT comprehension questions first

On the other hand, reading the questions first sets the stage for targeted reading, i.e., scanning for specific information relevant to the questions. This method can be significantly faster, as you don’t need to read every line of the passage in depth. You are aware of what to look for and can focus your attention accordingly. This approach may be particularly beneficial for those with strong scanning and skimming skills.

Disadvantage of the ‘questions first’ approach

Nevertheless, this approach also has its pitfalls. Reading the questions first might lead to a shallow understanding of the text, making it harder to answer inferential or evaluative questions that require a grasp of the overall context. According to the same 2021 study, students following this strategy had a lower overall comprehension score, despite potentially saving time.

An example

Suppose a passage is about the environmental impact of plastic waste, and one of the questions is “What solution does the author suggest for the problem of plastic waste?”. If you read the passage first, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the entire topic, and the author’s proposed solution will probably stand out to you. But if you read the question first, you might skim through the passage, focusing solely on finding the solution, potentially missing out on important context that could help answer other questions.

The Hybrid Approach

One more alternative is to consider a hybrid approach. Quickly skim the passage first to get a broad overview of the topic and structure. Then, read the questions, before returning to the passage for a more focused and detailed read. This could provide the best of both worlds – a general understanding of the text along with targeted information retrieval.

Finding the approach that works for you

In the LawMint LNAT 2024 and 2025 Practice Test series, we have included 360 passages from a variety of different sources. The passages range from around 300 to 600 words in length. There are a total of 1260 MCQs spread across 30 full-length mock practice tests.

When you start your preparation, take 3 tests where you use the passage first approach. Next take 3 more tests using the questions first approach.

Compare your scores between these two sets and you will be able to gauge which approach works best for your reading and thinking style.

Ultimately, your choice of approach should be guided by your personal strengths and weaknesses in reading comprehension and time management. Regular practice and timed mock tests can help identify which method works best for you.

Remember, the LNAT 2024 and 2025 doesn’t merely test your ability to answer questions; it assesses your skill at managing time and understanding complex texts under pressure. Therefore, mastering an approach that maximizes both comprehension and time-efficiency is paramount for success.