It Pays to Read Slowly

While working through LSAT Demon’s RC Basics lessons, something clicked for Delaney.

She’d heard the advice before—read slowly—but the way Ben put it made it click: “If you don’t understand a sentence, re-read it.” She realized she’d been rushing, hoping context would fill in the gaps, instead of processing tough sentences.

Determined to improve, she slowed down her reading significantly, and the results were immediate.

The Impact of Slowing Down

The next day, Delaney took a practice LSAT. She spent 75% of her time carefully reading the passages and only 25% answering the questions—a major departure from her previous strategy. Her score? -1 in Reading Comprehension.

This was a dramatic improvement from her usual -6 or -7. Simply shifting her focus to understanding every sentence before moving on had transformed her performance.

Delaney’s story is proof that the LSAT is about understanding, not speed. Slowing down makes all the difference. It helps you avoid mistakes and reduces the chance of misreading key ideas. The questions feel easier because, with a clear understanding of the passage, many answers feel obvious. In the end, reading carefully saves time by knowing what you are looking for when you get to the answer choices. 

The test isn’t measuring how quickly you can get through a passage—it’s assessing how well you understand it. If you don’t grasp what you’re reading, no amount of extra time answering questions will help.

Progress Isn’t Linear

Delaney’s -1 was an incredible improvement, but LSAT prep is full of ups and downs. As Nathan pointed out on the podcast, she might score -5 or -6 on a future test—and that’s okay.

Fluctuations happen, the key is to stick with the process and trust that consistency will lead to long-term gains.

Final Thoughts

Delaney’s story shows how a small change in approach can lead to big gains. The LSAT rewards understanding, not speed. If you’ve been rushing through the passage, try slowing down and focusing on comprehension. 

Got a question or a breakthrough moment to share? Email us at daily@lsatdemon.com—we’d love to hear about your LSAT journey!