Conditional reasoning is argumentation based on “if…then” statements and it is a prominent feature of the LSAT. While the numbers vary from test to test, year to year, you can expect around 10 questions in a single LR section that involve conditional reasoning. You’ll also see that at least half of the Logic Games will employ it as well. Some games will be entirely conditional, with every single rule setting up an if/then statement. For example, … [Read more...]
Can You Diagram These Conditional Reasoning Phrases?
Conditional reasoning appears throughout the LSAT, in the arguments presented within the Logical Reasoning sections of the test, in the grouping games that are featured in every Logic Games section, and even (to a lesser extent) in the Reading Comprehension section of the test. This type of logic classifies conditions as Sufficient or Necessary, depending on whether they are sufficient to glean further information, or necessary for something else … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast, “In Conversation: PowerScore and Ms. JD Prelaw”
Today we are happy to present a special LSAT podcast that features PowerScore Vice President of Development and Training Jon Denning, PowerScore Senior Instructor Andrew Ash, and Ms. JD Prelaw Program Director Ani Torossian.Throughout the 35-minute conversation, Jon, Andrew, and Ani touch on such prevalent topics as: Is the LSAT a skill or IQ test? What are the most effective methods of LSAT prep? How much time should students … [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...]
Should You Cancel Your LSAT Score?
After the completion of a real LSAT, many test-takers will be asking a very important question. Should I cancel my score? If you find yourself amidst their numbers, don’t worry. You’re definitely not alone. It’s very common for LSAT-takers to second-guess themselves and fret. You may even experience this the moment you leave the testing center! How did you do on the test? What will your score be? Which questions did you get right and wrong? … [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...]
Tom Brady and the LSAT
Over in our free LSAT Discussion Forum, I've been trading messages with one of our students that is working towards a 170. He started at 143, and has increased his score over 20 points already. But, he was running into a few issues with confidence and having the words of others affect his perception of how he will perform. I won't recount what I've said to him publicly because it's right there on the forum. But I have also been chatting with him … [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...]
Last Minute Logic Games Tips
Students frequently ask questions over on our Free LSAT Forum. It's a great resource for you to connect with fellow test-takers and with LSAT experts on all things LSAT and Law School Admissions. A common struggle students have and express there is the Logic Games section. In this particular post, a test-taker struggling with Logic Games about a week away from the test asks for last minute tips to help get them through the section. While we … [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...]
How to Approach a Nested Conditionals Statement
If you come across a Nested Conditional statement, you cannot completely ignore it unless, of course, you don't care about that one extra point. Oh, and by the way, you just came across a Nested Conditional statement. See how easy that was? In today's LSAT Forum Post of the Day, LSAT expert Nikki Siclunov offers some tips to a student on handling such complex conditionals.Here's a quick preview. But be sure to check out the full … [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...]
Consistency of the LSAT and the Illusion of Change
I tell people all the time that one of the greatest things about the LSAT is that it’s remarkably consistent! That is, for the test to be considered a legitimate measuring device where people taking different LSATs can still be compared to one another in a meaningful way, the measuring device itself (the LSAT) absolutely CANNOT change! That, in a way, is the very definition of a "standardized" test. I mean, what good is a ruler if yours has 13 … [Read more...]