LSAT Comparative Reading Guide

Quick answer: comparative reading is one set in the Reading Comprehension section. It gives you two shorter passages on a related topic, instead of one long one. Most questions ask how the two relate, so read the second passage with the first in mind.

How Comparative Reading Works

Passage A and Passage B discuss the same general subject. They may disagree, come at it from different angles, or one may apply an idea from the other. The questions then test how the two fit together.

What the Questions Ask

• What both authors would agree on.
• Where the authors disagree.
• How one passage relates to the other, for example whether B gives an example of A’s idea.
• What one author would say about a claim in the other passage.
• What only one of the passages discusses.

How to Approach It

1. Read Passage A and note its main point and the author’s view.
2. Before reading B, keep that view in mind.
3. Read Passage B and ask: agree, disagree or different angle?
4. Write a few words on how they relate.
5. For agreement questions, check that both passages really support the answer.

Common Traps

• Answers true of only one passage when the question asks about both.
• Mixing up which author said what.
• Assuming the authors disagree. Many pairs mostly agree, with a small difference.

Comparative Reading FAQ

How many comparative sets are there?

Usually one of the four passage sets.

Do the two passages have to disagree?

No. They can agree or simply cover different parts of a topic.

Should I read them differently?

Read them the same way, but keep asking how they connect.

See passage types and question types.

Related LSAT Section Guides

• All LSAT section and question type guides
• LSAT Logical Reasoning guide
• Logical Reasoning question types
• LSAT Reading Comprehension guide
• Reading Comprehension question types