A data storage device includes a memory, a first module, and a second module. The first module is configured to sense data stored at the memory to generate a first set of soft bits having a first number of bits. The second module is configured to perform an operation using the first set of soft bits to generate a second set of soft bits having a second number of bits that is less than the first number of bits. In an illustrative implementation, the second set of soft bits is used in connection with a three-stage decoding process to decode a set of hard bits that represents the data.