Are you gearing up for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)? Regardless of your dream law school, the LSAT can be your ally in achieving that goal. Being the sole admission test accepted by all ABA-approved law schools, it plays a crucial role in identifying promising candidates who might otherwise be overlooked due to their undergraduate GPA or other factors.
But what is it made of?
Well, half of your total LSAT score is comprised of logical reasoning sections.
Yes, you heard it right.
According to Kaplan, logical reasoning questions make up half of your total score! For this reason, mastering this section is crucial for acing the exam.
Let’s delve into the details of the logical reasoning sections, the various question types you’ll encounter, practice questions for logical reasoning, and effective strategies to tackle them.
Importance of Logical Reasoning in LSAT
Logical reasoning is a critical aspect of the LSAT, making up two of the four scored sections on the test. These sections test your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments, a crucial skill for future law students and legal professionals.
Understanding Logical Reasoning Questions
In order to master logical reasoning questions on the LSAT, it is important to understand their structure and the types of questions you will face.
Logical Reasoning Question Structure
Each logical reasoning section on the LSAT contains about 25 questions, and you have approximately 35 minutes to complete each section. Each question stems from a brief passage, often an argument or a set of facts, and then asks the test-taker to perform a task related to the passage.
Types of Logical Reasoning Questions
There are several types of logical reasoning questions you may encounter on the LSAT, including argument evaluation, reasoning critique, and inference drawing.
Logical Reasoning Questions LSAT
This section will delve into the different types of logical reasoning questions that can appear in the LSAT, providing examples and techniques to tackle each of them.
Argument Evaluation
These questions require you to evaluate the quality of a given argument. You may be asked to identify the conclusion, determine how well it is supported by the premises, or find any potential weaknesses in the argument.
Specific Question Types:
Assumption Questions: These ask you to identify the unstated premise that the argument relies on to be valid. Finding the missing link is essential since it supports the conclusion.
Strengthen Questions: In these questions, you are required to select an answer choice that fortifies or adds support to the argument’s conclusion, making it more convincing.
Weaken Questions: The goal in weaken questions is to pick an answer choice that undermines or weakens the argument’s conclusion, casting doubt on its validity.
Flaw Questions: These questions prompt you to pinpoint the logical flaw or error within the argument, exposing the reasoning’s weaknesses or faulty assumptions
Drawing Inferences
These questions require you to draw logical conclusions from the given information. They test your ability to understand and apply principles, recognize logically equivalent statements, and determine what must or might be true given certain facts.
LSAT inference questions break into two types:
- Must-be-true
- Strongly-supported-by
Must-be-true Logical Reasoning
Must-be-true Logical Reasoning (LR) inference questions on the LSAT explicitly ask for conclusions that are unquestionably supported by the given information. For instance, consider the following scenario:
Premise 1: Jennifer always takes the train to work when her car is in the shop. Premise 2: Jennifer’s car is currently in the shop for repairs. Premise 3: The train service is operating normally today.
In this situation, what must be true (although not explicitly stated) is that Jennifer will take the train to work today.
It is essential to recognize that must-be-true LR questions demand conclusions that are undoubtedly supported by the information provided. In the example above, the certainty arises from Jennifer’s consistent behavior when her car is unavailable, combined with the operational status of the train service. Although other possibilities might exist, the given premises make it a definite inference that Jennifer will take the train to work today.
Strongly-supported-by Logical Reasoning
Strongly-supported LR Inference questions on the LSAT function slightly differently, utilizing question stems that include phrases like “follows logically” or “strongly supported by.” For instance, consider the following scenario:
Premise 1: Amy always chooses action-packed movies because they remind her of her adventurous experiences during a summer trip.
Premise 2: Amy has never seen a sci-fi movie, but she knows that they often feature thrilling space adventures.
The strongly supported inference here is that Amy may enjoy sci-fi movies due to their potential to provide action-packed and thrilling space adventures similar to what she likes. However, it’s crucial to note that this is not a “must-be-true” scenario. It is plausible that Amy might have a particular aversion to sci-fi movies for personal reasons unrelated to their genre characteristics.
In strongly-supported inference questions, the correct answer choice will be the deduction or inference that is most compellingly supported by the stimulus statements. In the example above, the inference that Amy might enjoy sci-fi movies aligns with her preference for action-packed adventures, despite her lack of experience with the genre.
Strategies for Tackling Logical Reasoning Questions
Mastering logical reasoning questions on the LSAT requires a strategic approach. Here are some effective strategies to consider.
Identifying the Argument Structure
Understanding the structure of the argument in the question can help you better evaluate its logic. Look for the conclusion and the premises supporting it.
Anticipating the Correct Answer
Before looking at the answer choices, try to anticipate what the correct answer might be. This approach can help you avoid being tricked by incorrect choices that might seem plausible at first glance.
Elimination of Wrong Choices
Sometimes, it’s easier to eliminate incorrect answers than to find the correct one. If you can eliminate even one or two options, you’ll significantly increase your chances of choosing the correct answer.
Practice Makes Perfect: LSAT Logical Reasoning Sample Questions
The best way to get comfortable with logical reasoning questions and refine your strategies is through practice. Let’s look at some practice questions.
LSAT Practice Test
Answering Logical Reasoning Questions: Expert Tips
Here are some expert tips for mastering logical reasoning questions on the LSAT.
Reviewing and Understanding Mistakes
Review each practice question you get wrong and understand why you got it wrong. This is a powerful way to improve your logical reasoning skills and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
Importance of Time Management
The LSAT is a timed test, and managing your time effectively is crucial. Practice under timed conditions to get a feel for the pacing of the test.
Staying Calm and Focused
It’s normal to feel nervous, but maintaining a calm, focused mindset can significantly improve your performance on the LSAT.
Conclusion
The logical reasoning sections of the LSAT are undeniably significant, making up half of your total score. A high level of proficiency in this area can significantly boost your overall LSAT score and, in turn, your prospects of gaining admission into your chosen law school.
As Manhattan Prep noted, improving just three questions in the logical reasoning sections could raise your LSAT score by two points. This reinforces the importance of rigorous practice, in-depth understanding, and strategic preparation.
Start your preparation today and step confidently towards achieving your law school aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test used as part of the law school admissions process. It measures skills such as reading comprehension, logical, and verbal reasoning, which are crucial for success in law school.
Logical reasoning questions stem from a brief passage, usually an argument or set of facts. Each logical reasoning section contains about 25 questions, with about 35 minutes to complete each section.
The LSAT features several types of logical reasoning questions, including argument evaluation, reasoning critique, and inference drawing.
Effective strategies include identifying the argument structure, anticipating the correct answer, and eliminating incorrect choices.
To prepare for the LSAT’s logical reasoning sections, learn and apply test-taking strategies, engage in abundant practice, and review your mistakes. Additionally, consider utilizing resources from the top LSAT prep courses to optimize your preparation. Timed practice can further enhance your performance by improving speed and accuracy.
The best LSAT tutors enhance LSAT preparation by providing personalized strategies, explaining complex concepts, and giving immediate feedback, ultimately guiding you toward your target LSAT score.
Bryce Welker is an unstoppable force in the worlds of business and education. He’s a dynamic speaker, expert blogger, and a regular contributor to top-tier publications like Forbes, Inc.com, Business.com, and AccountingToday.com. With a proven track record of founding over 20 innovative test prep websites, Bryce has helped countless students and professionals pass their certification exams and achieve their dreams. Whether you’re seeking career advancement or educational success, Bryce Welker is the ultimate guide to help you get there.
