why Predicting Is Crucial on the LSAT

A common approach people use when practicing the LSAT is process of elimination (POE). They reason that if they just understand the general idea of the passage and quickly move on to the answer choices, they will save time and will allow themselves extra time to read through the answer choices more carefully.

For most people, this almost always backfires. Although there are some instances where POE may become necessary, only relying on it wastes time and hurts accuracy. Instead, pausing and predicting the correct answer yields much better results. This strategy consistently appears within our students who scored 175+. Here's why it's so important...

It's What the LSAT is Designed For

Despite the fact that there are many question types, the LSAT tests three primary skills– your ability to identify inferences, the structure of the argument, and assumptions. It stands to reason that you should know what the assumption is before moving on to the answers if that is what is being tested. This means the test will reward those who exhibit these skills, and punish those who don't.

Think of it this way – suppose you are solving a math problem that is multiple-choice. Would it be faster to check each answer, plugging it into the problem to see which is correct, or to find the answer first and then look for it in the answers? Clearly, doing the latter is far more efficient. Yet by relying solely on POE, people end up resorting to plugging in each of the answer choices.

It's true that you can get by using POE on many of the easier questions. But it could very well slow you down, and there are plenty of questions where the correct answer can be almost impossible to select if you did not do the work up front. For example, if you do not understand the conclusion of the argument, you are relying solely on luck to identify the correct answer for a Main Conclusion question.

It’s your compass for the answer choices

One of the most common issues people encounter is getting stuck between two answers. This typically happens because they aren't sure what they should look for, and as a result the trap answers distract them and pull them in different directions.

When you have a solid, specific prediction, the correct answer typically sticks out more. Under timed conditions, it can be useful because even if you can't point to a specific reason why an answer is wrong, you can go with the one that most closely aligns with your prediction. This boosts confidence and accuracy when performed correctly.

It Helps You Identify Patterns

If you just focus on understanding the passage content without practicing the skills tested, it will be harder to recognize patterns between the various passages. While the LSAT can change the order of the sentences and the topic, the reasoning underlying the passages remains consistent. Avoiding predictions makes it harder to see past the fluff and recognize these similarities.

But What If My Predictions Are Wrong?

Predicting is the practice of exhibiting the three skills mentioned earlier – inferences, structure, and assumptions. Having an incorrect prediction does not mean you should stop predicting altogether. It just means the skill needs to be practiced more.

Most people review by simply trying to see why the correct answer is correct. But in hindsight, the correct answer will naturally make much more sense once you know it is right. Instead, it is more effective to find out how the correct answer could have been anticipated based on the information in the passage.

When doing untimed practice, don't move on to the answer choices until you have a prediction. Many people give up on the prediction, but that step is crucial. Pause and take all the time you need.