The majority of LSAT Logical Reasoning questions have an argument in their stimulus and most will contain some sort of flawed reasoning. In this series, we will address a variety of the flaws that tend to appear with some frequency. I’ll examine common mistakes that authors on the test make. This should prove useful for Flaw in the Reasoning questions (which account for about 15% of LR questions.) It should also help with other question types … [Read more...]
LSAT PodCast Episode 8: Logical Reasoning Outliers – The Black Sheep
The episode begins with a quick rundown of the latest news, from Dave’s current Vegas adventure for March Madness to an update on the college admissions scandal and finally a look at the week in the LSAT World. Then they turn to the night's central theme! How to use the final week before an LSAT to prepare for outlier elements and oddball scenarios. Specifically, they focus on two of the most obscure LR question types, Cannot be True and Evaluate … [Read more...]
LSAT PodCast Episode 4: How to Solve Parallel Reasoning Questions
In Episode 4, Jon and Dave turn their attention to Parallel Reasoning questions—one of the most challenging and time-consuming question types in the LR sections—and outline the most effective techniques for solving them. They follow this conceptual discussion up with a detailed look at two real Parallel questions from the June 2007 LSAT and show you exactly how to apply their recommended solution strategies.You can find the episode embedded … [Read more...]
Understanding Justify the Conclusion/Sufficient Assumption LR Questions
One of the common questions that comes up with students studying for the LSAT is how do Justify/Sufficient Assumption questions work, and how do they differ from regular Assumption/Necessary Assumption questions? The mere fact that there are different types of assumption questions is part of the problem. But the unique way that these questions work also causes issues. Let's take a closer look at this question type and try to understand the big … [Read more...]
Common LSAT Question Types: Must Be True vs. Weaken
When approaching Logical Reasoning on the LSAT, I think most students clearly recognize the importance of (1) understanding the unique properties of individual question types, and (2) having dedicated strategies to consistently apply when faced with a particular type of question. That is the value in knowing how to recognize, say, a Parallel Reasoning question, and then understanding the proper approach to take when attacking Parallel … [Read more...]
Tips for LSAT Method of Reasoning: Argument Part Questions
When you start to move beyond the halfway point of your studies and come into the home stretch of prep, its common to feel like you're in the dog days of the LSAT. That Logical Reasoning section starts to weigh down the latter portion of your efforts. Method, Flaw, Parallel, Principle...the list of abstract question stems seems never-ending. Gone are the days of specificity and precision, only to be replaced by the vague wording and abstraction … [Read more...]
Numbers and Percentages in Logical Reasoning Questions? Count On It!
The authors of the LSAT love to play with numbers. This makes sense when you consider that the LSAT is a test of logical reasoning, and math is completely logical. While it’s true that they sometimes test our understanding of actual numerical concepts, like averages and ratios, most questions are not testing your math skills. Don’t worry, you will never have to recall the Pythagorean theorem. Instead, they test your understanding of logical … [Read more...]
Weaken and Strengthen EXCEPT Questions
In our forum, we get students asking a variety of questions relating to the LSAT. There is one question in particular that I think sharing my reply here might help others struggling with the same issue, so let's get to it. What's the best way to understand the right and wrong answer choices in Weaken EXCEPT and Strengthen EXCEPT questions? My Explanation Those EXCEPT questions and their answer choices are often a little confusing for people at … [Read more...]
Speed Dating with the LSAT: How to Pick a Winner
It’s the Logical Reasoning section, and you’re already cooking. You’ve read the first stimulus and reacted to it, maybe noticed some flaw or some important indicator language. You’ve read the question stem, so you know what you’re supposed to be looking for. You've developed a prephrase, so you are clear about what the right answer is supposed to look like, what it’s supposed to do. Now what do you do? Time for Speed Dating If you don’t know … [Read more...]
Logical Reasoning and Its Challenges
The makers of the LSAT are very good at creating difficult Logical Reasoning questions. And since they can test new questions in the experimental sections, they can glean a lot about what works against the unwary test taker. How to Make Logical Reasoning Questions More Challenging When the makers of the LSAT create a Logical Reasoning question, they have several chances to make it more challenging. They can write a difficult stimulus. Ask a … [Read more...]
Complex Arguments on the LSAT: How to Be a Major League Player
The LSAT often asks you to determine something about a portion of an argument. What was the main point? What role did such and such statement play in the argument? The first question is a Main Point question (no surprise there), and the latter is what we call a Method of Reasoning, Argument Part question.Both question types are asking something very similar. They want you to pull apart the argument and identify some key component. Was it a … [Read more...]
Logical Reasoning in the Reading Comprehension Section
A student recently wrote in to ask about the relationship between Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension on the LSAT. More specifically, he wanted to know whether he should apply the lessons from the Logical Reasoning Bible to the Reading Comp section of the test. This is an interesting question and one that we’ve heard before from students seeking to clarify the relationship and distinctions between the various sections of the … [Read more...]
Think INSIDE the Box
There is a quote from the late Christopher Hitchens, and it's both too good, and too applicable to the LSAT, not to share. Hitch opines:...skepticism rather than credulity is the highest principle that the human intellect can use to ennoble our existence.While I agree wholeheartedly with his intent, for our purposes I'm reminded of a common concern students face. Namely, how do we know what to treat with skepticism, and what to treat … [Read more...]
Approaching Logical Reasoning Sections Strategically
Approaching the LSAT Strategically Series: Part I, Part II, Part III There is a fundamental truth about test takers when it comes to the LSAT: everyone is different. That is, everyone who sits down with this exam will have unique strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and ultimately, ways they can optimize their performance in every section. While that certainly affects how it is that people prepare, I think it also dictates how test … [Read more...]