Diagrams with multiple sufficient conditions can, depending on the circumstances, then be used to create multiple single diagrams. Let's look at an example.Consider a rule that reads: "If Operations or Sales is offered, then Accounting is also offered." Operations = O Sales = S Accounting = A As a single conditional statement, there are two parts to the sufficient condition (O and S), that are joined by an "or" operator. That sufficient … [Read more...]
Conditional Diagramming Part III: “If But Only If” in LR Questions
An interesting topic came up on our forum a short time back, about the meaning of “If but only if,” and the proper way to diagram a rule that includes this phrase. Students who are familiar with the LSAT have probably encountered a rule that says “if and only if,” but the use of the term “but” is a clever trick by the test makers. “If but only if” doesn’t look quite the same as “If and only if,” and to many students, the two phrases appear to … [Read more...]
Why Skimming Isn’t Advised on the Reading Comprehension Section
Should You Skim the Reading Comp Passage? In theory, it might seem that skimming could add some degree of efficiency. Unfortunately, in practice, this is not the case. In fact, this approach actually reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the Reading Comprehension section.Skimming might be sufficient to absorb lighter materials aimed for simplicity, such as newspapers or magazines. A newspaper editor wants readers to know … [Read more...]
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...]
How to Avoid the 2 Most Common Mistakes in LSAT Conditional Reasoning
A student of ours who's working through the PowerScore Logical Reasoning Bible asked a common question the other day, and I want to share it, and my response, with you. Specifically she's been struggling with Mistaken Negations and Mistaken Reversals in conditional reasoning, and asked if I could help her better understand those two errors. Here's my reply: Common Roadblock Conditional reasoning is a tricky concept for a lot of people, so don’t … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Pakistan
Are you taking the LSAT in Pakistan? 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 Pakistan, only one location offers the LSAT: Karachi, World Educational Services. 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...]
What Questions Matter the Most in Logical Reasoning?
In every LSAT class I teach, sooner or later the same inquiry pops up: "What’s the most important type of question in Logical Reasoning?" Students asking this question often remind me of an ER nurse, triaging patients based on the seriousness of their condition. Hopefully, you won’t find yourself in this predicament, having to triage your study of Logical Reasoning. But if you must, here’s some advice:While it is difficult to say which … [Read more...]
Avoid These Common LSAT Practice Test Mistakes
Most students know that practice tests are important, but several common mistakes are made in the approach to this vital component. If you are willing to invest the time and effort it takes to complete full tests, you need to get the most out of the entire process.Take Full Tests Some students solely study LSAT concepts and avoid practice tests, but the LSAT is not merely a test of concepts. Even if you are completely comfortable with … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Lebanon
Are you taking the LSAT in Lebanon? 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 Lebanon, only one location offers the LSAT: Beruit, AMIDEAST. While there is just one location option, it occurs four times per year: February, June, September/October, and December. You can find a complete list of test dates and … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in the Philippines
Are you taking the LSAT in the Philippines? 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 Philippines, only one location offers the LSAT: Quezon City, the University of the Philippines. While there is just one location option, it occurs three times per year: February, September/October, and December. You … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Nigeria
Are you taking the LSAT in Nigeria? 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 Nigeria, only one location offers the LSAT: Lagos, the Educational Advising Center. They administer the exam once a year in June. You can find a complete list of test dates and deadlines here. Students should know … [Read more...]
LSAT Progress: Learning from Your Mistakes
People who decide to go to law school, and thus prepare to take the LSAT, tend to have some personality traits in common. They tend to be driven, confident, and prone to blowing any perceived failure completely out of proportion. I'm not putting anyone down. In fact, it should be fairly obvious given my profession that I'm talking as much about myself as anyone else. But, if in addition to myself, I've also described you, consider this: you're … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Archives: The December 2014 Post-Test Analysis
The December 2014 LSAT was given on Saturday, and while specific information about the test content is tightly guarded, we've still heard from a number of students, and I've read numerous accounts of the exam online, so I want to pass along their impressions. Logic Games Just like the September 2014 test, the Logic Games section on the December test did not include any surprises (no circular games or pattern games here). The section began with … [Read more...]
The Rise and Fall of Double-Question LSAT Logical Reasoning Stimuli
I've talked before (notably here and here) about how the content of LSATs changes from test to test. But, there are even changes in the type of question forms you see. For example, in the early 1990s, Justify the Conclusion questions were rather rare, whereas in the 2000s they appeared relatively frequently. In Logic Games, Rule Substitution questions did not start appearing until June 2009. In Logical Reasoning, one question format that used to … [Read more...]