Strategy question: Read question stem or stimulus first?

[crocca]

Should you read the question stem or stimulus first??

I've finished a certain other training guide book that recommended reading the stem first, and so that's how I've been practicing. But I've also read arguments for reading the stimulus first. I'm doing really well on LR (getting to -2 now) using the stem first strategy, but I'm willing to see if stimulus first strategy works even better (like -0 better).

Arguments for either? And how can I switch my strategy from reading the stem first to stimulus first?

[ohthatpatrick]

Don't switch.

You're definitely not missing those 2 questions because of that decision. I have heard arguments for both methods, but I don't find the stim-first arguments very compelling.

The whole point of glancing at the stem first is to know what your reading goal is:
1. Am I reading an argument, seeking only to identify its key features?

2. Am I reading an argument, with the intention of spotting gaps or possible objecitons?

3. Am I reading Inference facts, with a goal of finding multiple facts that can be combined to derive some other truth?

4. Am I reading a paradoxical facts (Explain paradox/discrepancy), with a goal of organizing the information into "Given that _____ is true, how can it be that ______ is also true?"


If other people want to chime in with reasons they prefer stim-first, please do. But to me, it's not making a massive difference either way. And I would rather go into the reading of the stimulus with an understanding of what I'm after.

[crocca]

Thanks for your reply!!

I have thought a lot about the same things you mentioned, and I don't think I will switch. I did a practice test today trying stimulus first and got way too distracted trying to break my habit of stem first, so I think it's too late for me anyways.

I did do some investigation, however, and for anyone who is still trying to decide between stimulus or stem first, these Reddit posts are nice references (good ol' Reddit): https://www.reddit.com/r/LSAT/comments/ ... tion_stem/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/LSAT/comments/ ... sat_hints/. Based on the arguments for stimulus first, as found in these posts, there are certain biases which can arise from reading the stem first. But I think as long as one is aware of them, reading the stem first is a good option and is definitely something that works for me!