This is the second article in a series that discusses Correlations and Causal Reasoning on the LSAT. Here is a typical stimulus containing a causal conclusion supported by a correlation. Advertisement: Pump3D is a nutritional supplement that can greatly reduce athletes’ fatigue after anaerobic exercise. This was shown by a study investigating the relationship between fatigue and high doses of guarana extract—the main ingredient in Pump3D which … [Read more...]
When and How to Ask for Letters of Recommendation
Highly-regarded law school admissions expert, Peg Cheng, is the author of The No B.S. Guides for applying to law school and the founder of Prelaw Guru, where you can find law school admissions tips, videos, books, and more.Because fall always seems so busy for everyone, I recommend asking for letters of recommendation (LORs) for your law school application during the summer, September at the latest.Make an effort to meet with each … [Read more...]
GPA Addenda Effectiveness Against the T14
We're now entering application season, and one question that often comes up is at this time of year is: should I submit an addendum to explain my low GPA or LSAT score? And if so, how long should it be? Our resident law school admissions expert, Dave Killoran, talks with a student about her addendum, and provides some handy rules for putting together an explanation. Here's a quick preview. Make sure to check out the full thread to read the … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Norway
Are you taking the LSAT in Norway? Students take the LSAT if they plan to attend law schools in the US and Canada. However, the test administers across the globe. Check out this post about taking the LSAT abroad.In Norway, only one location offers the LSAT: Moss, The American College of Norway. While there is just one location option, it occurs twice per year: September/October and December. You can find a complete list of test dates and … [Read more...]
Logic Games Language and Numerical Distributions
The test makers are notoriously clever when it comes to the interplay of variable sets in Logic Games, particularly with how they word the rules and restrictions governing distributions. So how can you prepare yourself for this challenge, and what methods can be used to "test" the limits of variable interactions?Today's LSAT Forum Post of the Day addresses both of these concerns, as PowerScore Developer Jon Denning explores exactly what to … [Read more...]
Cannot Be True Questions and Conditional Reasoning
Cannot Be True questions in Logical Reasoning occasionally feature conditional reasoning (reasoning that uses sufficient and necessary conditions). Some of those questions can appear to be extremely difficult.As today's LSAT Forum Post of the Day shows, these questions often revolve around the same error. The test makers just dress it up a bit differently each time in order to throw off unsuspecting test takers. PowerScore LSAT Logical … [Read more...]
How NOT to Weaken Logical Reasoning Arguments
Here's an example of a highly misleading strategy for attacking Logical Reasoning Arguments. To weaken an argument, you must first find the central assumption of the argument and then attack it by using additional evidence that refutes that assumption.Let's Break It Down Where to begin? Conceptually, this advice is quite deceptive. Not every argument contains exactly one "central assumption". In fact, most arguments contain multiple … [Read more...]
How to Guess Like a Pro on the LSAT Part III: Reading Comprehension
If you're going to be guessing on any LSAT questions, it will probably be on Reading Comprehension questions. Why? Because there are more questions in the Reading Comprehension section (27-28) than in any other section of the test. Moreover, it's no secret that the complexity of the passages you will be dealing with has increased over the years, with some of the latest RC sections bordering on brutal.While there is no penalty for guessing, … [Read more...]
Either/Or and the Double Arrow
Confused by the use of the use of the phrase "either/or" in LSAT questions? You aren't alone! And, you might be even more confused when the phrase "but not both" is thrown into the mix.Dave Killoran breaks down how "either/or" works on the LSAT to a student on our LSAT Forum, and discusses the effects of the "but not both" phrasing when it is used (tip: it has a big effect). Since this phrase appears most frequently in Logic Games, you have … [Read more...]
Beware of Keywords in Logical Reasoning Questions
Bad advice appears well-justified and initially quite useful in solving a good number of questions. Unfortunately, shortcuts are easy to circumvent. What's worse, they can be used as traps—especially if you tend to use them blindly (as people often do). Let’s take a look at a common belief about Flaw in the Reasoning questions: If you come across a Flaw question where the stimulus contains conditional reasoning, the flaw has something to do with … [Read more...]
Main Point Questions on the LSAT
If you've ever taken a practice LSAT, you've seen at least a few Main Point questions. They often accompany Reading Comprehension passages, and they appear in the Logical Reasoning sections of the test as well. Regardless of the context, the ability to recognize an author's main point is a crucial part of understanding any stimulus or passage. The right approach is vital if you want to attack Main Point questions effectively and … [Read more...]
Correlations and Causal Reasoning on the LSAT Part I
The makers of the LSAT frequently create arguments that conflate correlation with causation, and thus you must understand the distinction between the two. This is the first in a 3 part series that discusses Correlations and Causal Reasoning on the LSAT. Let's get into it! Correlation & Causal Relationships In statistics, "correlation" refers to a statistical relationship between two interdependent variables (e.g. height and weight, studying … [Read more...]
Logical Reasoning Cause and Effect
The latest PowerScore LSAT Forum Post of the Day (found here), features one of our students who asked an interesting, and common, question about cause and effect relationships in LR.PowerScore Senior Developer Jon Denning weighed in to explain in a bit more detail exactly what we mean when we tell students that “causal relationships on the LSAT exist in a vacuum”. This is a great example of not only how the information and scenarios you’ll … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in China
Are you taking the LSAT in China? Students take the LSAT if they plan to attend law schools in the US and Canada. However, the test administers across the globe. Check out this post about taking the LSAT abroad.In China, four separate locations offer the LSAT:Beijing, Beijing Foreign Studies University Guangzhou, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies Kowloon, Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority San Po Kong Office … [Read more...]