Active Reading Strategies

Reading an LNAT passage is not the same as reading a novel or a textbook. You are reading under extreme time pressure — approximately 8 minutes per passage, including answering 3 or 4 questions. To succeed, you need an active, strategic approach to reading that extracts maximum understanding in minimum time.

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Why Active Reading Matters

Passive reading — letting your eyes move over the words without engaging critically — is the single biggest cause of lost marks in Section A. Passive readers:

• Reach the end of a passage without a clear sense of the argument
• Need to re-read large sections to answer questions
• Miss subtle distinctions that questions frequently test
• Run out of time on later passages

Active reading is deliberate, focused, and goal-oriented. You are not reading for pleasure or general understanding — you are reading to deconstruct an argument.

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The Three-Phase Reading Method

This method is designed for LNAT time constraints. It takes practice to develop, but once it becomes habitual, it significantly improves both your speed and accuracy.

Phase 1: Skim (60–90 seconds)

Read the passage quickly to build a mental framework:

• Read the first paragraph carefully — it usually introduces the topic and the author's position
• Skim the middle paragraphs — read the first sentence of each paragraph (topic sentences often carry the main point)
• Read the final paragraph carefully — it often contains the conclusion or a summary of the argument

After skimming, you should be able to answer:

• What is this passage about?
• What is the author arguing?
• Roughly how is the argument structured?

Phase 2: Read the Questions (30–60 seconds)

Before reading the passage in detail, read all 3 or 4 questions (but not the answer options yet). This tells you what to look for when you return to the passage.

Typical question types and what they direct you to look for:

Question Type	What to Look For in the Passage
"What is the author's main conclusion?"	The central claim — often in the introduction or conclusion
"Which of the following does the author use to support their argument?"	Premises, evidence, examples
"The author implies that..."	Unstated but logically implied points
"According to the passage, which is true?"	Specific factual claims made in the text
"What is the author's attitude towards X?"	Tone, word choice, evaluative language

Phase 3: Targeted Re-Read (3–5 minutes)

Return to the passage with the questions in mind. Now read more carefully, focusing on the sections relevant to the questions. For each question:

1. Locate the relevant section of the passage
2. Read that section closely and precisely
3. Formulate your own answer before looking at the options
4. Match your answer to the closest option, then check the others to confirm

Key Principle: Phase 3 is where accuracy comes from. Phases 1 and 2 are about efficiency — knowing where to look. Phase 3 is about precision — reading the relevant text carefully enough to answer correctly.

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Annotation Techniques

The LNAT is computer-based, so you cannot physically annotate the passage on screen. However, you can use mental annotation and scratch paper effectively.

Mental Annotation

As you read, mentally label each paragraph:

Label	Meaning
CLAIM	This paragraph states the author's main claim or a key sub-claim
EVIDENCE	This paragraph provides evidence, examples, or data
COUNTER	This paragraph presents an opposing view
REBUTTAL	This paragraph argues against the opposing view
CONCESSION	The author acknowledges a weakness in their own argument
CONCLUSION	This paragraph draws everything together

You do not need to label every paragraph — just the key structural elements. This mental map makes it much faster to locate relevant information when answering questions.

Using Scratch Paper

The test centre provides scratch paper (or a whiteboard). Use it efficiently:

• Jot the passage number and a 2–3 word summary — e.g., "P3: against death penalty"
• Note the paragraph that contains the main conclusion — e.g., "Concl = para 4"
• Flag tricky questions — if a question seems ambiguous, note it for review