Did you know that conditional reasoning and causal reasoning can be found in over 30% of Logical Reasoning stimuli on the average LSAT? That's right; they're two of the most frequently tested, and most frequently misinterpreted, reasoning techniques on the test!In today's LSAT Forum Post of the Day, PowerScore Senior Developer Jon Denning advises a student on exactly how to differentiate between these two concepts. In addition, he outlines … [Read more...]
Negating Compound and Conditional Statements
The ability to logically negate a statement—whether conditional, causal, etc.—is critical to your success on the LSAT. It comes up most commonly in the Logical Reasoning section of the test, although any question stem using the word “EXCEPT” (always capitalized) will require you to logically negate that stem.The list does not stop here. Every time you apply the contrapositive of a conditional statement, you will need to reverse and negate the … [Read more...]
Weakening Concepts and Truth vs. Validity
How do you attack assumptions to weaken the argument? Do the three incorrect answers for weakening questions deal with incorrect assumptions or conclusions? Read this discussion between a PowerScore student, a PowerScore senior instructor, and LSAT Bible Trilogy author Dave Killoran to learn more!Here's a quick preview. Make sure to check out the full thread to read the entire explanation Nikki and Dave provided to this student:The … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Scotland?
Are you taking the LSAT in Scotland? 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 Scotland, only one location offers the LSAT: University of St. Andrews. They administer it once per year in September/October. You can find a complete list of test dates and deadlines here. Students should know that testing … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in the Czech Republic?
Are you taking the LSAT in the Czech Republic? 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 the Czech Republic, only one location offers the LSAT: Prague at the Fulbright Commission. While there is just one location option, it occurs four times per year: February, September/October, and December. You can find … [Read more...]
Conditional Reasoning Practice: Test Your Skills
The other day I came across an apparently famous logic puzzle called The Wason Selection Task. I say "apparently" famous because I for one had never heard of it. But I was instantly struck by the conditional nature of the process in question. If you're reading this I presume you've got some experience with LSAT conditionality. If you'd like more I've included a number of helpful links at the end of this post! Test Your Knowledge Take a look at … [Read more...]
Assumption Question: Supporter and Defender
Have you ever wondered why Defender Assumptions are often connected to stimuli that have no obvious errors? Well, one of our students was wondering just that, and decided to ask us about it in our LSAT Forum.PowerScore instructor Clay Cooper first weighed in with an excellent explanation of how Defenders work, and then LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible author Dave Killoran followed up with a discussion of whether you should know if you will be … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Israel
Are you taking the LSAT in Israel? 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 Israel, only one location offers the LSAT: Tel Aviv at the Zoa House. Isreal is also the only country where they administer the LSAT on Mondays exclusively. They offer it four times a year: February, June, September/October, and … [Read more...]
Are You There, Test Taker? It’s Me, the LSAT
A great way to learn about what's important to someone is to see how they spend limited resources. This is just as true about the LSAT test-makers as anyone else. But we're so accustomed to answering the questions they ask us. We don't stop to listen to what they have to say about the test. The Purpose of the LSAT We know that LSAC puts a lot of time and money into creating each test. Those are limited resources. It's reasonable, then, for us … [Read more...]
Grouping Games, Conditional Linkage, and the Double-Not Arrow
A commonly-tested occurrence in Grouping Games (and even occasionally in Logical Reasoning) is a set of conditional rules that can be linked to one another through shared variables, forming chains and producing a series of inferences. The ability to create and manipulate these linkages is critical, as is the ability to avoid mistakes!In this LSAT Forum Post of the Day, PowerScore VP of Development Jon Denning walks a student through the … [Read more...]
Correlations and Causal Reasoning on the LSAT Part II
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...]
The Benefits of Failure: Turning LSAT Fails into Positives
Over in the PowerScore LSAT Discussion Forum, I've been talking with one of our students about confidence. I often write about the necessity of a positive mental outlook and of believing in yourself, and this student was concerned about a few recent practice test scores that were a few points below average. As I've discussed elsewhere, there's an element of randomness to the composition of each LSAT, and that variation affects your results so you … [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...]