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July 11, 2016

Studying GMAT Critical Reasoning? Consider Using LSAT LR Questions

Studying GMAT Critical Reasoning? Consider Using LSAT Logical Reasoning Questions

Those of you who follow the PowerScore blog know that I most frequently write about the LSAT and law school related topics. However, PowerScore also offers GMAT books, so I spend time in the GMAT world as well. If you've ever studied the GMAT, you know that both the Critical Reasoning (CR) and Reading Comprehension (RC) sections of that test are very similar to the LSAT Logical Reasoning (LR) and Reading Comprehension sections. But whereas the … [Read more...]

Posted by Dave Killoran / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep, LSAT vs GMAT Leave a Comment

June 16, 2016

False Arguments Do Not Exist: Language Matters on the LSAT

False Arguments Do Not Exist: Language Matters on the LSAT

At the beginning of each class we lay down the ground rules: raise your hand if you want to ask a question, turn off your smart phones, try to pay attention. In addition to that, students aren't allowed to call an argument "false," "wrong," or "stupid." Language matters.Here's why:In logic, we don't speak of arguments as being "true" or "false", nor do we speak of statements as being "valid" or "invalid." We assume that the premises upon … [Read more...]

Posted by PowerScore Test Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

June 11, 2016

The Fundamentals of Prephrasing Part II

The Fundamentals of Prephrasing Pt 2

If you’ve spent much time with Logical Reasoning on the LSAT, you’ve recognized that the answer choices, right and wrong, are masterfully crafted. The test makers are unbelievably adept at disguising correct answers, and making the incorrect options look extremely attractive. Fortunately there’s a step in the question-attack process designed specifically to help you navigate through the answers: Prephrasing. Recapping Part I Since we go over … [Read more...]

Posted by Jon Denning / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

May 31, 2016

LSAT Test Composition: How and Why Difficulty Varies

LSAT Test Composition: How and Why Difficulty Varies

Struggling with Consistency? One question that arises frequently is, “Why am I not consistent in how I score on a certain section?” For example, a student may see his or her score in Logical Reasoning move around by a few questions with each practice test. Or, a student with consistent overall scores notices that sometimes she performs well on Reading Comprehension, other times Logical Reasoning, and other times Games. So, she ends up scoring … [Read more...]

Posted by Dave Killoran / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep, Reading Comprehension / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep, Reading Comprehension Leave a Comment

April 18, 2016

Logical Reasoning Traps: How to Avoid the Natural Question Error

Logical Reasoning Traps How to Avoid the Natural Question Error

I was recently asked about a specific question from the October 1999 LSAT (O99, LR1, #7) on our LSAT Discussion Forum. A summary of this question, known as Debbie's Magic Act, is as follows: Debbie has a magic act where she identifies a card chosen randomly from a deck, without ever looking at the card beforehand. A skeptic examined the process, and conducted three separate tests. In the first test, he made a video of her selecting the correct … [Read more...]

Posted by Dave Killoran / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

April 9, 2016

Assumption and Must Be True Questions: Strange Bedfellows

Assumption and Must Be True Questions: Strange Bedfellows

Must Be True Questions Must Be True (aka “Inference”) questions are foundational to both the Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension sections of the test. Most commonly, their question stem indicates that the information in the stimulus should be taken as true (“if the statements above are true…”). It then asks you to identify an answer choice that is proven or supported by it (“…which one of the following must also be true?”). All Must Be … [Read more...]

Posted by PowerScore Test Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep, Reading Comprehension / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep, Reading Comprehension 6 Comments

April 5, 2016

O.J. Simpson’s Bloody Gloves in the Context of the LSAT

O.J. Simpson's Bloody Gloves in the Context of the LSAT

The most memorable line from O.J. Simpson’s 1994-95 jury trial was defense attorney Johnnie Cochran’s genius phrase. "If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit." That clear, simple rule is widely thought to be a key factor in Simpson’s acquittal. In today’s post, we’re going to look at that statement and its circumstances in the context of the LSAT. Recapping the Case For those who don’t know, O.J. Simpson was an American football legend and a … [Read more...]

Posted by PowerScore Test Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

April 4, 2016

The Fundamentals of Prephrasing Part I

The Fundamentals of Prephrasing Pt 1

If you’ve spent much time with Logical Reasoning on the LSAT, you’ve recognized that the answer choices, right and wrong, are masterfully crafted. The test makers are unbelievably adept at disguising correct answers, and making the incorrect options look extremely attractive. Fortunately there’s a step in the question-attack process designed specifically to help you navigate through the answers: Prephrasing.Prephrasing is the intermediate … [Read more...]

Posted by Jon Denning / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

March 30, 2016

Speaker Identifiers in Logical Reasoning

Speaker Identifiers in Logical Reasoning

In a number of LSAT Logical Reasoning questions, the first thing you see is an identifier of the type of speaker making the argument that follows. For example, you might see “Archaeologist,” or “Researcher,” or "Expert,” to name three examples from a recent LSAT. Most students fly right by these speaker identifiers without further thought, but should they? Probably not, so let’s talk about why that is the case. Speaker Identifiers Do Not … [Read more...]

Posted by Dave Killoran / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

March 25, 2016

“Most Strongly Supports” vs. “Most Strongly Supported” in Logical Reasoning Questions

"Most Strongly Supports" vs. "Most Strongly Supported" in Logical Reasoning Questions

Let’s look at two LSAT logical reasoning question stems that sound awfully alike, but are anything but: "Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument above?"vs. "Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?" In the first instance, your job is to assume that each answer choice represents a true statement, and then determine which one is most helpful to validating the conclusion … [Read more...]

Posted by PowerScore Test Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

March 19, 2016

Sterling Archer’s Many Flaws: Do You Want Ants?

Sterling Archer's Many Flaws: Do You Want Ants?

Archer, an animated series on FX, is about a spy agency and its group of clever, often bitingly sarcastic secret agents, who provide some great examples of the same kinds of logical flaws that we see on the LSAT:Ad Hominem Argument This type of flawed logic, often called a “source argument” describes an attack directly on the speaker, or the source of the argument, rather than on the merits of the argument itself.A great example appears … [Read more...]

Posted by PowerScore Test Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LR Flaws, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

March 2, 2016

The Limitations of Venn Diagramming on the Logical Reasoning Section

The Limitations of Venn Diagramming on the Logical Reasoning Section

This post is from the LSAT Free Help Area on our website. Want to get even more free LSAT help? Check it out! While preparing for the LSAT, students will undoubtedly encounter a wide variety of suggested test taking strategies. Unfortunately, one of the more commonly advocated approaches, particularly with regards to the Logical Reasoning sections, is the use of Venn diagrams1. Despite their popularity with certain test-preparation programs, … [Read more...]

Posted by Jon Denning / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Diagramming, Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

February 6, 2016

How to Attack Flaw in the Reasoning Questions on the LSAT

How to Attack Flaw in the Reasoning Questions on the LSAT

Flaw in the Reasoning questions require you to identify the underlying logical flaw in the argument. Over time, Flaw questions have become among the most common question types on the Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT. In fact, they account for approximately 15% of all questions and 30% of all First Family questions. Your next test will likely contain as many Flaw questions as all Main Point, Method, Parallel, Parallel Flaw, and Cannot Be True … [Read more...]

Posted by PowerScore Test Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logical Reasoning, LR Flaws, LSAT Prep Leave a Comment

January 20, 2016

Straw Man Arguments: Logical Reasoning Flaws

Straw Man Arguments Logical Reasoning Flaws

Of all the logical flaws you might encounter on test day, a "straw man" argument not only has the most interesting name (and "straw man" is actually the proper name used in logic for this flaw), it also provides some of the most entertaining examples. In the context of an LSAT question, however, the usage is fairly predictable.Typically, you'll see a stimulus with two speakers. The second speaker will reframe the first speaker's argument in a … [Read more...]

Posted by PowerScore Test Prep / Logical Reasoning, LSAT Prep / Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, LR Flaws, LSAT Prep 1 Comment

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