Diagramming and notation can play a vital role in a strong performance on the Reading Comprehension section of the LSAT, but the ideal approach to effectively breaking down the passages can be different for each student. Unlike Logic Games, each of which is generally conducive to the creation of an objectively optimal diagram, effective for […]
Diagramming on the LSAT Part II – Notation Suggestions
I wrote a blog post yesterday about LSAT diagramming and how to better determine its usefulness for you, where essentially I suggested that diagramming is an investment of your time and rhythm and for that investment to be worthwhile it needed to pay dividends in terms of either (1) gaining you more time than it […]
Diagramming on the LSAT Part I: Is it Worth It?
I’ve written in recent weeks about how to handle a Reading Comprehension passage when time is running out, and in thinking about that idea–Reading Comp pacing–I feel it’s important to briefly address one of the most common elements that students find slows them down: diagramming. Here’s the thing. Any time you find yourself stopping to […]
Conditional Diagramming Part V: Advantages of the Unless Equation
[Read more on Conditional Diagramming: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5] Students often ask if there is an easier way to handle conditional statements containing necessary condition indicators such as “unless,” “except,” “until,” and “without.” The Unless EquationTM is relatively simple, but it does involve a two-step process: Whatever term is modified […]
Conditional Diagramming Part IV: Working with “Only”
[Read more on Conditional Diagramming: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5] The word “only” is used frequently in LSAT questions. “Only” is a necessary condition indicator, and its usage is often easy to parse. Here’s an example: Only doctors carry malpractice insurance. “Only” modifies “doctors,” and thus the proper diagram is: […]
When Do I Diagram Conditional Reasoning Statements?
A question that frequently comes up from readers of the LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible is, when should I diagram conditional statements in the LSAT Logical Reasoning section? In the book, I talk about diagramming in a number of different chapters, but most prominently in the chapter on Conditional Reasoning. While, not surprisingly, I think that every […]
The Limitations of Venn Diagramming on the Logical Reasoning Section
This post was taken 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, […]
Conditional Diagramming Part II: “And” in the Necessary Condition
[Read more on Conditional Diagramming: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5] In my last post, I discussed conditional statements with “or” in the sufficient condition. Diagrams with multiple necessary conditions can, depending on the circumstances, then be used to create multiple single diagrams. Let’s look at an example. If the rule reads: […]
Conditional Diagramming Part I: “Or” in the Sufficient Condition
[Read more on Conditional Diagramming: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5] 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 […]
Conditional Diagramming Part III: “If But Only If” in Logical Reasoning Questions
[Read more on Conditional Diagramming: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5] 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 the LSAT have probably encountered a […]