Logical Reasoning
Basic Tips for LSAT Logical Reasoning
Ben
Understanding the types of Logical Reasoning questions on the LSAT is key to effectively preparing for the test.
This article will break down the unique characteristics of each type of Logical Reasoning question and provide strategies for tackling them. Having a clear understanding of what to expect will help you approach the LSAT with confidence.
There are 14 Logical Reasoning question types on the LSAT. These can be grouped into Closed Record questions and Open Record questions.
The 9 Closed questions are:
The 5 Open questions are:
So why do we break Logical Reasoning questions into two groups: open and closed?
Closed questions (short for “closed record”) ask you to choose the answer that is proven by the passage.
Open questions (short for “open record”) ask you to add information to the argument. The answer choice doesn’t need to be proven by the passage, but it does need to fulfill the task laid out by the question type.
On closed questions, you assume everything in the passage is true. Your task is to evaluate the answer choices and figure out which one must be true based on the given information. Essentially, you are questioning the answer choices.
For example, in questions like "Which one of the following, if true...," you're allowed to challenge the answer and decide if it’s fully supported by the passage.
Common features of closed questions include:
Open questions operate the other way around. You're instructed to assume the answer choices are true, and your job is to figure out how they affect the passage.
For example, in strengthening or weakening questions, you’re not concerned with whether the answer choices are plausible. Instead, you’re only focused on whether, if true, they would help or hurt the argument.
Key points for open questions:
When you understand the difference between open and closed questions, you can start recognizing patterns in how questions are structured. Closed questions typically make you question the validity of the answers, while open questions ask you to accept the answer choices as true and evaluate their impact.
This framework simplifies Logical Reasoning questions by showing that, despite the variety of question types, they all follow one of these two broad approaches.
The top three most common LSAT Logical Reasoning question types are Flaw, Strengthen, and Must Be True. However, you’ll see each type of question frequently.
Don't use this data to justify only studying for certain question types that are statistically more likely to be featured in the LSAT. The reality is that you just don't know which questions will show up on your test, so you want to be prepared for them all.
The truth is, no one type of question is objectively harder than another type. Subjectively, one person may struggle with a type of question while others excel at that type. Struggling on a certain question type is normal, but focusing too much on one question type over the others can be misleading.
Keep in mind that almost every single LSAT Logical Reasoning question is testing the exact same thing: your ability to understand arguments. So as you get more comfortable with the LSAT’s arguments, every question in the Logical Reasoning section—even those that are considered to be more "difficult"—will become easier to tackle.
The key to crushing LSAT Logical Reasoning is fully understanding the passage, so you should always start there. Once you understand what the passage is saying and recognize any problems present, you can turn to the question type. There are different approaches you should take for each type of Logical Reasoning question on the LSAT. In this section, we’ll explain the five stages of answering every LR question, then move into specifics for each question type.
Start by carefully reading the passage. Your goal here is to grasp the main point of the passage and understand it fully.
Before moving on to the question, pause and evaluate what you just read. Is it a set of facts or an argument? If it’s an argument, identify the conclusion and the evidence supporting it. Assess whether the evidence adequately supports the conclusion. Often, it doesn’t, so take a moment to think about potential weaknesses in the argument.
Now, read the question carefully. Make sure you understand exactly what is being asked. For example, you might be asked to strengthen, weaken, or evaluate the argument.
Before you even look at the answer choices, make a prediction based on what the question is asking. If it’s asking you to strengthen the argument, think about what would help resolve any gaps in the reasoning. If it’s asking you to weaken it, consider what would exploit the argument’s weaknesses.
Go through the answer choices quickly, eliminating those that don’t fit. Trust your prediction, and be critical. You don’t need to read every answer choice in full unless you think it might be correct. If an answer doesn’t match your prediction or seems off, move on.
There are three strategies for finding the conclusion drawn in an argument:
If the author makes a claim that feels open to argument, your attention should be drawn to it. Whether they're stating something is good or bad, making a prediction, or attacking a viewpoint, question how they know this. For example, if they claim a particular type of drama is unsuccessful, ask yourself, "How can they support that claim?" These debatable points often lead to the conclusion of the argument. But be careful! You can’t reject premises on the LSAT, you can only object that the author’s premises don’t prove their conclusion.
Certain words can indicate the presence of a conclusion. Words like “thus,” “therefore,” and “so” often signal the main point. Similarly, terms like “because” or “since” typically introduce evidence or premises. However, some arguments don’t use these markers, and assuming the presence of a keyword always points to the main conclusion can lead to errors.
Reorder the argument in your head. Think about which statements are providing support for others. You can test this by inserting “because” before one sentence (the evidence) and “therefore” before another (the possible conclusion). If it makes sense in that order, you’ve likely found the conclusion. If they are in the wrong order, it won’t make sense.
To answer Disagree questions, it helps to separate your analysis.
Start by focusing on one person's statement. Does the answer choice align with what that person said? If so, then look at the second person's statement. If they disagree with the answer choice, that’s the correct response.
This approach simplifies things. Trying to analyze both people at once can lead to confusion, as wrong answer choices often mix words or ideas from both individuals, making it seem like they’re discussing the same point when they aren’t.
The best strategy to approach Flaw questions is to understand the abstract language used in answer choices. These answers often use complex language to describe common logical issues, so it helps to break them down phrase by phrase.
For instance, if an answer says, "The argument replaces a generalization with an assumption," take a moment to understand each part. What is the generalization? What assumption is being made? Breaking down the abstract language in this way will help you get faster and more accurate over time.
To tackle Must Be True questions effectively, focus on these key strategies:
When you're analyzing a Necessary Assumption question, focus on identifying what the author must agree with. If an answer choice merely restates a premise or the conclusion of the argument, it can't be correct. An assumption is just a missing piece of evidence. Therefore, if the evidence was stated in the passage, it can’t be an assumption.
The word “necessary” just means “needed.” So, a necessary assumption is just a premise that, if the argument’s conclusion is true, would also have to be true.
To tackle Parallel Reasoning and Parallel Flaw questions, focus on the underlying logic of the arguments rather than their specific topics.
Start by understanding the main conclusion and premises of the argument in the passage, then restate its gist in simple terms.
Find answer choices that maintain the same number of premises and conclusions, use similar logical terms, and match the pattern of reasoning or flaws presented in the original argument.
To tackle Reasoning questions on the LSAT, first, read the passage carefully to grasp the main conclusion and how the argument functions. Then, predict how the correct answer accurately describes the argument's reasoning by identifying the premises and main conclusion, and outline how the premises support that conclusion in simple terms.
Look for an answer that accurately reflects your prediction. If the passage uses one example to support its conclusion, eliminate choices that incorrectly state multiple examples are used. Break down each answer choice into parts, comparing them to the passage to ensure they align with its content.
If any part of an answer doesn't match, discard it and move on to the next option.
To solve Role questions effectively, first identify the main conclusion of the argument.
Next, pinpoint the claim mentioned in the question and locate it in the passage. Describe its function—main conclusion, premise, intermediate conclusion, concession, or opposing viewpoint. If it supports the main conclusion, it’s likely a premise or intermediate conclusion; if it contradicts the main conclusion, it may be a concession or opposing viewpoint.
Look for an answer choice that accurately reflects this role. Break down each answer choice into parts. Each segment should align with the argument's content. If any part doesn't match your understanding, discard that option and move on.
The key strategies for answering supported questions are:
Always check the passage when you're considering answer choices. If the passage doesn’t provide a solid foundation for an answer or if you can't find direct evidence to support it, it’s probably not correct.
Be cautious of extreme language. For example, phrases like “must” or “always” imply a level of certainty that may not be justified by the passage. Instead, seek answers that are conservative and easily provable. Answer choices with strong language can be correct, however, if there is strong support in the passage.
If an answer choice contradicts the passage, it can be eliminated immediately. For instance, if the passage states that fluoride enters groundwater through specific processes, any answer suggesting that those processes don’t affect fluoride concentrations should be dismissed.
To answer Evaluate questions, you need a clear understanding of the argument presented, as they typically contain flaws that need addressing.
Start by thoroughly reading the argument to identify its weaknesses, focusing on necessary and sufficient assumptions that are unstated. The correct answer will offer information that could either strengthen or weaken the argument.
When you're analyzing the answer choices, consider how each option interacts with the argument: a choice that strengthens the argument will affirm its conclusion, while one that weakens it will challenge the author's claims.
Paradox questions typically present two conflicting facts rather than a straightforward argument. To tackle them, first make sure you understand the passage and recognize the conflicting statements.
Formulate a "why" question that captures the contradiction, such as, "Why does this person want to visit a spider exhibit if they dislike spiders?" The correct answer will address this question and clarify the paradox.
To solve Strengthen questions, start by identifying the argument's main conclusion and premises, then look for gaps between them. These gaps represent the argument's flaws, which the correct answer will address. The right answer doesn’t have to prove the conclusion but should add new evidence that strengthens it, filling in assumptions or correcting weaknesses.
As you evaluate answer choices, consider how each one supports the argument. Stronger, more definitive wording often signals the correct choice. If the question includes "EXCEPT," focus on finding the option that either weakens the conclusion or has no impact.
In Sufficient Assumption questions, your task is to find the missing piece that fully proves the argument’s conclusion. Start by identifying the conclusion and premises, then figure out why the premises don’t quite lead to the conclusion. The correct answer will provide the extra information needed to make the argument airtight.
Stronger wording is usually better, as the correct answer must address every flaw in the argument. Avoid answers with vague terms like "some" or "many," as they often won't fully justify the conclusion.
The best strategy to solve Weaken questions is to start by identifying the main conclusion and the premises that support it, then figure out why the premises fail to fully prove the conclusion. The correct answer will introduce new information that casts doubt on the conclusion.
As you go through the answer choices, focus on which option weakens the conclusion the most, especially if two choices seem equally valid. In "EXCEPT" questions, look for the answer that strengthens the conclusion or has no effect at all.
