Lsat Logical Reasoning Tips

What information does Atrens use to support that claim? Research has revealed that, in bringing particles to neighboring colonies, ants are emptying their dumping sites—essentially, getting rid of their own trash.

LSAT Logical Reasoning: Strategies from a 180 Scorer

High-yield tips to help you improve your LSAT Logical Reasoning score, plus practice questions

Table of Contents

Part 1: Introduction to the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section

Part 2: LSAT Logical Reasoning Section Structure

Part 3: Logical Reasoning Question Types

Part 4: Tips for Taking the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section

Part 5: Study Tips for the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section

Part 6: Practice LSAT Logical Reasoning Section Questions

Part 7: Frequently Asked Questions

Part 1: Introduction to the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section

Understanding arguments is fundamental to the work of lawyers and law students. The LSAT Logical Reasoning Section tests the critical reasoning skills that analyzing arguments requires. Such analysis can include understanding, evaluating, comparing, constructing, undermining, and strengthening arguments. The questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section ask you to complete various aspects of this analysis under timed conditions.

Using sample arguments drawn from various topics, the questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section evaluate your ability to analyze arguments. Few of the questions involve legal topics, but each question is designed to match patterns in legal arguments, both in structure and complexity. Whether studying to be an attorney or practicing as one, the arguments you are tasked with analyzing throughout your career will be dense and lengthy, requiring you to filter information for relevance. The questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section entail similar evaluations of relevant and irrelevant information.

The LSAT Logical Reasoning Section tests a range of critical thinking skills that legal reasoning involves. According to LSAC, the Law School Admissions Council and administrator of the test, these skills include:

• Recognizing the parts of an argument and their relationships
• Recognizing similarities and differences between patterns of reasoning
• Drawing well-supported conclusions
• Reasoning by analogy
• Recognizing misunderstandings or points of disagreement
• Determining how additional evidence affects an argument
• Detecting assumptions made by particular arguments
• Identifying and applying principles or rules
• Identifying flaws in arguments
• Identifying explanations

This sounds like a lot, and for some people the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section is a daunting obstacle, but with preparation and the insights into the section that we provide, you can feel more confident in your readiness for and performance on the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section. This guide includes helpful background information explaining the structure and composition of the test, as well as tips for taking and preparing for the section. Finally, we include some bonus sample questions and answer explanations for you to see how you’ll be asked these questions on exam day.

Click on the following links for high-yield strategies to use on each of the LSAT sections:

Part 2: LSAT Logical Reasoning Section Structure

Each LSAT Logical Reasoning Section consists of 24-26 questions and lasts 35 minutes. The questions are multiple-choice with five answer choices lettered A-E. There is only one correct answer choice for each question. Some questions feature the word “except.” For these questions, the word “except” will be written in all capital letters and each of the answer choices will have the trait in question “except” for one.

Each question on the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section features three parts: a short paragraph (often referred to as the stimulus), the question, and the answers. Rarely, one stimulus will apply to two questions. When this happens, it will be clearly noted on the test.

The stimulus will consist of a few sentences, normally in the range of 50-70 words. Occasionally, stimuli will be distinctively longer. The stimuli include arguments, and some of these arguments are drawn from academic topics and history while others describe hypothetical scenarios. No outside knowledge is required to answer these questions. Additionally, the scenarios described should be taken as fact, despite any outside knowledge you have.

The stimuli are followed by the question stem. The question stem is a one-sentence question regarding the argument that preceded it. These question stems tend to follow certain patterns, so it’s possible to familiarize yourself with the various question types, and we’ll provide some insight into these patterns throughout this guide.

The answer choices are listed after the question stems. Though an answer may be true, that does not mean it is correct. Additionally, some answer choices may be exact quotes or close paraphrases of portions of the stimulus. Be careful of paraphrases with subtle changes that change the meaning.

An example of how you would see a question on the test is below. Each component is labeled for clarity but will not be labeled on the actual test:

Part 3: Logical Reasoning Question Types

Though the LSAT has evolved over time, there are certain recurring patterns within the question types. The LSAT tests the specific skills mentioned above and creates questions to evaluate those skills. The most common question types are: assumption questions, strengthening/weakening questions, flaw questions, and inference questions. Less common question types include argument method questions, paradox questions, parallel reasoning questions, point at issue questions, principle questions, and role questions.

Most Common Question Types: Assumption, Strengthening/Weakening, Flaw, and Inference

Less Common Question Types: Argument Method, Paradox, Parallel Reasoning, Point at Issue, Principle, and Role

Below, we’ll dive into each question type.

Question Type 1: Assumption Questions

Assumption questions inquire about unstated assumptions in an argument and can be broken into two categories: necessary assumption and sufficient assumption. Necessary assumption questions will ask, “Which of the following assumptions does the argument require?” In necessary assumption questions, the argument has made at least one unstated assumption in order to justify the conclusion. This question asks you to identify that assumption.

Because it is a “necessary” assumption, you can think about that assumption as being essential to the argument. If it were not true, the argument would no longer stand. To answer this question, negate the answer choices and see which negated answer choice destroys the argument. The correct answer choice will destroy the argument when it is negated because it is the necessary assumption and without it the argument no longer stands.

Some phrasings for necessary assumption questions include:

“The argument assumes which one of the following?”

“Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?”

“Which of the following is an assumption upon which the argument depends?”

Sufficient assumption questions will ask about an assumption that allows the conclusion to be logically drawn. With these questions, there is a missing premise that when added, will make the overall argument sound. Answering these questions will require you to understand the premise(s) and conclusion of the question stimulus. Sometimes, mapping the argument will help insufficient assumption questions, but it is not necessary.

The correct answer will link the premises to the conclusion, so it can be helpful to look for an answer that has a component of each. Incorrect answers will not justify the conclusion. They are oftentimes irrelevant to the argument overall or justify a conclusion other than the one stated in the stimulus.

Remember, the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section does not always present information in chronological order. Therefore, a conclusion may be placed between the premises that support it.

Some phrasings for sufficient assumption questions include:

“The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?”

“The conclusion above is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?”

“Which of the following, if true, enables the conclusion to be properly drawn?”

Question Type 2: Strengthening/Weakening

Another common question type is strengthening and weakening questions. These questions ask you to either strengthen or weaken the argument in the stimulus. For these questions, you’re trying to make the conclusion more or less likely to be true. You do not need to completely invalidate or guarantee it. Be careful to stay within the scope of the question, and do not rely on external knowledge and assumptions.

The correct answer will affirm or undermine a premise or assumption within the stimulus, obviously depending on if you’re looking at a strengthening or weakening question. Fortunately, these questions are very common and follow certain patterns. Oftentimes, the argument will present a supposed causal relationship. You can strengthen or affirm the relationship by bolstering or challenging the causal relationship.

The questions ask for the answer choice that “most” weakens or strengthens the argument. You may see more than one answer that impacts the argument, but only select the answer choice that impacts it the most and in the direction that the question is asking.

Some strengthening question stems include:

Which one of the following, if true, lends the most support to the conclusion above?

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the reasoning above?

Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen the reasoning above?

Some weakening question stems include:

Which one of the following, if true, is the logically strongest counter to the argument above?

Which one of the following statements, if true, most weakens the argument?

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the conclusion drawn in the argument above?

Remember, on strengthening questions, you’re adding support and on weakening questions you’re taking away support.

Question Type 3: Flaw Questions

Flaw questions are asking about logical errors made within the argument. Though they can be difficult, these questions are fairly straightforward with the right approach. After understanding the argument in the stimulus, you can oftentimes predict the answer. If you did not immediately notice a flaw in the argument, or noticed more than one, evaluate the answer choices. The correct answer choice will be an actual logical flaw (as opposed to a weakness) and be a flaw that actually occurred in an argument. Incorrect answer choices will not be logical errors or will be logical errors that did not happen in the specific stimulus you’re being asked about.

Flaw question stems include:

The argument commits which one of the following errors of reasoning?

The argument’s reasoning is questionable in that the argument…?

The reasoning in the argument above is flawed in that the argument…?

The reasoning in the argument is flawed in that the argument overlooks the possibility that…?

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument…?

Which one of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the argument’s reasoning?

Question Type 4: Inference Questions

Inference questions are also straightforward, though they’re not always easy to answer. Inference questions ask what can be inferred based ONLY on the information above. For inference questions, like all questions on the LSAT, it’s critical to not draw on your outside knowledge. For inference questions, it may be helpful to map the argument to ensure that you don’t pull outside information into your brain. Commonly tested inferences include the transitive, the contrapositive, and the contrapositive of the transitive. It’s not necessary to study symbolic reasoning to complete the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section, but a basic understanding of mapping and these inference types can be helpful.

Original statement:	Inferences of:
A → B B → C	A → B B → C
Transitive:	A → C
Contrapositive:	~B → ~A & ~C → ~B
Contrapositive of the Transitive:	~C → ~A

Correct answers to inference questions will be true and supported by the information in the stimulus. Incorrect answers will either be in contradiction to the stimulus, unsupported by the stimulus, or only a possibility based on the stimulus, meaning it could also not be true. Based on the information in the stimulus, the correct answer choice must be true.

Some inference question stems include:

Based on the argument above, which of the following must be true?
Which of the following can be logically inferred from the argument above?

Which of the following is most supported by the statements above?

Question Type 5: Argument Method

Argument method questions inquire about how the argument proceeds. These questions ask you to summarize the argument in the stimulus, understanding and naming the relationship between the premise(s) and the conclusion. These questions occur less frequently than the first four question types, but they do appear on occasion. The correct answer will accurately describe the argument in the stimulus.

If the correct answer choice is not immediately clear, compare each answer choice to the stimulus, evaluating it for consistency with the argument. Pay special attention to the verbs in each answer choice, as they can be clear signals of what the answer choice posits. Does the argument do what the answer choice suggests? If not, the answer choice is incorrect. This question type is evaluating your ability to distill arguments and understand the way arguments are formed.

Some argument method question stems include:

Which of the following most accurately describes the method of reasoning?

The argument functions in which of the following ways?

The argument proceeds by…?

Question Type 6: Paradox

Paradox questions also appear less frequently on the test, but they are nonetheless important to prepare for. Luckily, they’re not too complex and can be answered with some simple understanding. Paradox questions present information that is seemingly at odds. As you read the stimulus, look out for any contradictions, paradoxes, or discrepancies. The correct answer choice will remedy that concern.

Instead of anticipating the answer, because there are oftentimes numerous ways the hypothetical paradox can be resolved, filter through the answer choices looking for the answer choice that allows both components of the paradox to be true and also explains how they coexist. Incorrect answer choices will not resolve the paradox or will be inconsistent with one or both components of the paradox.

Some paradox question stems include:

Which of the following, if true, would help to resolve the apparent paradox presented above?

Which of the following, if true, contributes most to an explanation of the apparent discrepancy described above?

Which of the following helps account for the discrepancy?

Question Type 7: Parallel Reasoning

Parallel Reasoning questions are another less frequent question type. They can seem complex but are oftentimes very simple. At the core, parallel reasoning questions are about matching. You must match the stimulus with an answer choice. The difficulty, however, arises in quickly understanding the argument structure in the stimulus and then understanding the argument structures of the answer choices.

Answering this question without being fully clear on the stimulus can be very difficult, so try your best to understand the stimulus before evaluating the answer choice. For this question type, mapping may be helpful but is not necessary. Another useful tool can be paraphrasing: paraphrase the argument and focus on how the argument advances. The correct answer choice will have an argument that posits a similar relationship between the premises and conclusion.

Some parallel reasoning question stems include:

Which of the following most closely resembles the argument above?

Which of the following contains reasoning parallel to the argument above?

Which of the following most closely parallels the argument above?

Which of the following is most similar to the argument above?

Remember, the specific components in the correct answer may not be presented in the same order as the stimulus, but they will be related in the same way as the relationship in the stimulus.

Question Type 8: Point at Issue

Point at issue questions do not appear frequently on the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section, but you should still be familiar with them. These questions involve understanding and naming disagreements and inconsistencies between two perspectives. Oftentimes, these questions present two people’s arguments through two to three short responses. The question will task you with spotting a disagreement between their statements. Less frequently, you may be asked to note what they agree about.

To answer this question, understand what each of the speakers is saying, and then refer to the answer choices. For disagreement questions, each speaker will have an opinion on the matter, and their opinions will be in opposition. If one or both speakers do not have an opinion on the matter or their opinions are not in opposition, the answer choice is incorrect. For agreement questions, both speakers will have an opinion on the matter in the correct answer choice and their opinions will be consistent.

Some point at issue question stems include:

____ and ____ disagree over?

____ and ____ disagree over the truth of which the following statements

The statements above provide the most support for holding that the authors would disagree with which of the following statements?

Which of the following best describes the point at issue between ____ and ____?

Question Type 9: Principle

Principle questions, like all of the questions in the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section, require you to understand the argument in the stimulus. For these questions, you’re distilling the argument to a simple guiding principle. The correct answer choice will match the reasoning presented in the argument. Incorrect answer choices will not accurately capture the argument.

Sometimes, principle questions will present a principle in the stimulus, and you’ll be asked to identify a situation that conforms to that principle. The same concept of distilling and matching applies. The correct answer will match the circumstance/principle in the stimulus to the principle/circumstance in the answer choice.

Some principle questions stems include:

Which one of the following generalizations is most clearly illustrated by the passage?

Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the editorial?

The situation described above best illustrates which one of the following propositions?

Which of the following judgments conforms most closely to the principle cited by the columnist?

Which of the following best illustrates the principle above?

Question 10: Role

Role questions focus on specific parts of the stimulus and ask you to identify their function. Sometimes, you’re categorizing parts of the argument into premises or conclusions. Other times, you’re identifying how that premise or conclusion is being used. This category also includes main point questions, which simply ask you to describe the main point (conclusion) of the stimulus. Mapping can be helpful for this question type but is not necessary.

It’s critical to understand that certain words like “therefore” tend to introduce conclusions while other words like “because” tend to introduce premises. Further, some conclusions can be intermediate conclusions that though concluded from a set of premises, become support for another conclusion. You must also remember that the order in which reasoning is presented does not always explain what part of the argument it is.

Some role question stems include:

Which of the following best describes the role of the statement ____ in the argument above?

Which of the following best describes the function of the statement ____ in the argument above?

Which of the best describes the main point of the argument above?

Below is a list of the question types covered in this section. It covers most of the questions you will see on the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section. Occasionally, however, you may encounter a question that does not fit perfectly into one of these categories. If this happens, remain calm and be sure to take time to understand both the question stem and the stimulus before evaluating the answer choices and choosing the most accurate response.

Question Type 1: Assumption Questions

Question Type 2: Strengthening/Weakening

Question Type 3: Flaw Questions

Question Type 4: Inference Questions

Question Type 5: Argument Method

Question Type 6: Paradox

Question Type 7: Parallel Reasoning

Question Type 8: Point at Issue

Question Type 9: Principle

Essential Logical Reasoning Tips and Information

Logical Reasoning questions lie at the heart of what the LSAT is all about, and they are the most important types of questions for us to master. In this brief article, we will discuss basic details about Logical Reasoning problems, look at a couple of sample questions together, highlight effective practice methods, and more. Let’s get started.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

1. Logical Reasoning Basics
2. Sample Logical Reasoning Questions
3. What Are Logical Reasoning Problems Designed to Test?
4. Keys to Logical Reasoning Mastery

1. Logical Reasoning Basics

Let’s get started with some basic information.

Details About Logical Reasoning

• One of your three scored sections will be Logical Reasoning section.
• Recently, all Logical Reasoning sections have had either twenty-five or twenty-six total questions.
• Twenty-five questions in thirty-five minutes works out to about 1:20 per problem. However, keep in mind certain questions are designed to take significantly less time, and others are designed to take significantly more.
• Each question consists of a stimulus (typically two to three sentences long), a question stem, and five answer choices.
• Logical Reasoning problems are designed to test your reading ability, your reasoning ability, and your mental discipline. We’ll discuss this further in just a bit.

Information About How to Solve Logical Reasoning Problems

• As we read the passage, we want to focus on trying to correctly recognize what the author’s purpose was in writing the passage, and how the author structured the passage in order to serve that purpose.
• The types of questions that are asked and the structure of those questions are extremely consistent from exam to exam. So, ideally, we want to develop methods specific to the tasks presented by the different types of questions.
• The vast majority of problems will require us to correctly extract and understand arguments. An argument can be defined as a main point, along with the reasoning given for that main point.
• The vast majority of problems will also require us to critically evaluate the reasoning within that argument — that is, to consider why the given support does not validate the given conclusion.
• Every problem is designed to have one absolutely correct answer and four absolutely incorrect answers. Sometimes it will be easier to spot the correct answer and other times it will be easier to eliminate the incorrect ones.

2. Two Sample Problems

Here are two sample Logical Reasoning questions, along with explanations for them. The explanations come right after the questions, so if you want to try them without finding out the right answer, be careful not to peek!

(All actual LSAT content used within this work are used with the permission of Law School Admission Council, Inc., Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940, the copyright owner. LSAC does not review or endorse specific test preparation materials or services and inclusion of LSAC content within this work does not imply the endorsement of LSAC. LSAT is a registered trademark of LSAC.)

Question #1

Atrens: An early entomologist observed ants carrying particles to neighboring ant colonies and inferred that the ants were bringing food to their neighbors. Further research, however, revealed that the ants were emptying their own colony’s dumping site. Thus, the early entomologist was wrong.

Atren’s conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

(A) Ant societies do not interact in all the same ways that human societies interact.
(B) There is only weak evidence for the view that ants have the capacity to make use of objects as gifts.
(C) Ant dumping sites do not contain particles that could be used as food.
(D) The ants to whom the particles were brought never carried the particles into their own colonies.
(E) The entomologist cited retracted his conclusion when it was determined that the particles the ants carried came from their dumping site.

Explanation

Our Task:

We are asked to identify an answer that allows the conclusion to follow logically. What that means is that we need an answer choice that, when added to the given argument, completely fills any existing reasoning gaps that exist between the author’s conclusion and the given support.

The Stimulus:

Atren’s point is that the early entomologists were wrong. What were they wrong about? They claimed that ants were bringing food to their neighbors. Thus, Atren’s point is that the ants do not bring food to their neighbors.

What information does Atrens use to support that claim? Research has revealed that, in bringing particles to neighboring colonies, ants are emptying their dumping sites—essentially, getting rid of their own trash.

What’s wrong with Atren’s reasoning? If we take the support as being true, does it guarantee the truth of the conclusion? That is, if we know they are giving their neighbors their own trash, do we know for sure that they are not giving their neighbors food?

Per the information we’ve been given, trash and food are not mutually exclusive. The support doesn’t actually tell us that what they give to their neighbors isn’t food, and what we need is an answer choice that addresses this gap.

The Answer Choices:

Again, what we are looking for is an answer choice that addresses the reasoning gap between the given support and the author’s conclusion, thereby guaranteeing the truth of the author’s conclusion. The right answer will do just that, and the four answers will not.

(A) discusses similarities between ant and human societies — this does not help us bridge the gap between trash and food and (A) is incorrect.

(B) discusses using objects as gifts, which does not directly relate to the author’s conclusion or her support. The fact that there is “weak” evidence also doesn’t directly relate to our task at hand, and so we can eliminate (B) as well.

(C) addresses the gap between trash and food. If the items the ants take from their dumping grounds doesn’t contain any food, we can connect this with the given support (that they are getting the particles to give from the dumping site) and we can know with certainty that they are not delivering any food to their neighbors. (C) is the correct answer.

(D) discusses whether the recipients ever carried the particles into their own colonies—this does not directly impact the author’s conclusion, which is specifically about the ants who bring the particles, and thus (D) is incorrect.

(E) discusses the actions of the entomologist who originally made the claim the author disagrees with — these actions do not help guarantee the truth of the author’s conclusion and (E) is incorrect as well.

(Would you like to see a video explanation of this question? Check out the video above; the explanation for this particular problem begins at about the 5:30 mark.)

Question #2

Ethicist: The most advanced kind of moral motivation is based solely on abstract principles. This form of motivation is in contrast with calculated self-interest or the desire to adhere to societal norms and conventions.

The actions of which of the following individuals exhibit the most advanced kind of moral motivation, as described by the ethicist?

(A) Bobby contributed money to a local charity during a charity drive at work because he worried that not doing so would make him look stingy.
(B) West contributed money to a local charity during a charity drive at work because he believed that doing so would improve his employer’s opinion of him.
(C) Donna’s employers engaged in an illegal but profitable practice that caused serious damage to the environment. Donna did not report this practice to the authorities, out of fear that her employers would retaliate against her.
(D) Jadine’s employers engaged in an illegal but profitable practice that caused serious damage to the environment. Jadine reported this practice to the authorities out of a belief that protecting the environment is always more important than monetary profit.
(E) Leigh’s employers engaged in an illegal but profitable practice that caused serious damage to the environment. Leigh reported this practice to the authorities only because several colleagues had been pressuring her to do so.

June ’07 Exam, Section 2, Question 7

Explanation

Our Task:

We are asked to pick an action that best represents “the most advanced kind of moral motivation,” as described the ethicist. So we want to make sure to understand the ethicist’s definition as clearly and correctly as possible, and we should expect to find four answers that clearly do not match this description, and the one correct answer that clearly does.

The Stimulus:

The ethicist offers two characteristics of “the most advanced kind of moral motivation”:

1) It is based solely on abstract principles.

2) It is in contrast to calculated self-interest or the desire to adhere to societal norms and conventions.

The Answer Choices:

We want to look for an answer that fits the above characteristics, and we want to use the above characteristics to eliminate incorrect answer choices.

(A) describes an action taken in order to not appear stingy. This action is not based on abstract principles, and it’s done for his calculated self-interest. Thus (A) is incorrect.

(B) describes an action taken in order to make a good impression. This action is not based on abstract principles, and it’s also done for calculated self-interest, and so (B) is incorrect as well.

(C) describes an action, or a lack of action, caused by fear. Fear is not an abstract principle, and Donna is working in her own self-interest. Thus (C) is incorrect.

(D) describes an action done based on a belief, or abstract principle—that protecting the environment is always more important than monetary profit. Furthermore, there is no evidence that Jadine’s actions were driven by self-interest or a desire to adhere to societal norms and conventions. Thus, (D) is the correct answer.

(E) describes an action done based on receiving pressure from one’s colleagues. Thus her actions are not taken based on abstract principles, and you could argue that her actions are based on self-interest or the desire to adhere to societal norms and conventions. Thus (E) is also incorrect.

(Would you like to see a video explanation of this question? Check out the video above; the explanation for this particular problem begins at about the 15:36 mark.)

An Introduction to Logical Reasoning Question Types

Depending on how one chooses to organize them, there are about sixteen different types of Logical Reasoning problems that appear over and over again. The vast majority of questions will require us to evaluate arguments, and the majority of questions that require us to evaluate arguments will ask us to be critical of the reasoning within them.

Arguments-Based Questions That Require Critical Evaluation

Identify the Flaw (6–10 per old five-section exam)
Weaken the Argument (3–6)
Required Assumption (2–8)
Strengthen the Argument (2–5)
Basic Assumption (0–1)
Match the Flaw (2)
Conform to/Supporting Principle (3–5)
Sufficient Assumption (1–4)

Arguments-Based Questions That Do Not Require Critical Evaluation

Method of Reasoning (0–2)
Match the Reasoning (0–2)
Identify the Role (0–4)
Identify the Conclusion (1–3)

Outliers

Inference (5–9)
Explain This (2–5)
Give an Example (0–3)
Identify the Disagreement (0–2)

An infographic that lists and relates the different types of Logical Reasoning questions. Please click to open fullscreen or to download.

3. What are Logical Reasoning Questions Designed to Test?

All of the challenges presented in the Logical Reasoning section can be organized into three main buckets:

Logical Reasoning Questions Test Reading Ability

For one, they test your exact and correct understanding of certain words critical to reasoning relationships and reasoning concerns, words such as “or,” “causes,” “must,” and “unless.” Even more importantly, Logical Reasoning questions test your ability to read for reasoning structure—that is, your ability to see how different parts of the stimulus are meant to relate to one another and how the answer choices relate to the relationships in the stimulus.

Logical Reasoning Questions Test Reasoning Ability

Most commonly, we are asked to use our reasoning ability to evaluate why the support given for an argument does not guarantee the conclusion reached. A minority of questions require us to evaluate how reasoning can indeed come together to support or justify a principle or conclusion.

Logical Reasoning Questions Test Mental Discipline

Finally, Logical Reasoning questions are designed to gauge our ability to stay focused on the task at hand—what I discuss in the Trainer in terms of mental discipline. The test-writers will do this by hiding the critical information in a stimulus within a forest of dense secondary text, and they will do this by asking us questions that are similar to one another, yet not quite the same (such as questions that ask us to strengthen an argument and questions that ask us to find an answer required for the argument to be true), and rewarding those can stay focused on the essential issues and the correct task.

4. The Keys to Logical Reasoning Mastery

Finally, now that we’ve discussed the challenges that Logical Reasoning questions present, here are some tips to help ensure your study success.

1. Get to Know the Question Types

The different types of Logical Reasoning problems are all related to one another, yet they also each present a unique challenge. Especially if you are looking to get a top score, it is essential to correctly understand the specific task that each question stem presents, and to develop strategies and habits that align with those specific tasks.

2. Practice Correctly Identifying Arguments

As discussed above, the vast majority of Logical Reasoning stimuli contain arguments, and, when they do, your job is to correctly identify the argument and to focus in on it. Make sure you work to grow your understanding of argument structure, and that you develop habits for focusing on arguments when you read stimuli.

3. Practice Being Critical of Reasoning

Again, as discussed above, the majority of Logical Reasoning questions ask us to critically evaluate the reasoning contained within arguments. These problems do not ask us to consider whether the arguments are valid or not. Instead, they begin with the understanding that the given arguments are not valid, and then they ask us to correctly understand why the given support doesn’t guarantee the given conclusion, and to react to this in some way—by trying to strengthen the reasoning or fix the reasoning, and so on.

Thus, your default mindset, when asked a question that requires critical evaluation of argument reasoning, should be to 1) know that the arguments are flawed and 2) focus on trying to understand as carefully as you can exactly how they are flawed.

4. Always Try to Combine Effective Learning with Effective Practice

The LSAT requires you to be very good at utilizing what you know in the moment, so, whenever you learn something that you find to be useful, try to get plenty of practice at applying what you’ve just learned.

5. Account for and Work to Develop Your Understanding, Strategies, and Experience

Work to grow in three areas: understanding of individual question types, as well as the fundamental issues that underlie the design of all problems, strategies for specific situations and the test as a whole, and, as we just discussed, plenty of experience at applying our understanding and strategies on real LSAT problems.

6. Make Sure to Utilize the Most Effective Study Tools

There is an enormous range in the quality of LSAT learning products available to students today, and quality often fails to correlate to price or reputation. Do careful research of what other students think on popular third-party sites such as top-law-schools, Reddit/lsat, Goodreads, and Amazon, and check out sample chapters and so on when you can. Of course, as the author of The LSAT Trainer (here’s a link to eight sample chapters of the book), I believe that it is the very best LSAT study guide available, but perhaps another guide will fit you better, perhaps you want to combine learning products, or perhaps you prefer to learn in a classroom or from a recorded course.

Whatever you choose, again, make sure to choose carefully, and make sure to give yourself the benefit of the most effective LSAT study tools you can find.

7. Drill, Drill, and Drill Some More

As briefly discussed above, drilling like-problems can have enormous benefits for deepening your understanding and solidifying effective strategies. Whatever study resources you choose, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to practice applying what you learn. Drilling is a great way to develop and strengthen the mental muscle memory necessary for high level Logical Reasoning success.

8. Always Review Your Understanding, Strategies, and Performance

Finally, you want to make sure to thoroughly review your work, and to do so from multiple perspectives. First, you want to make sure that you understand exactly why the right answer is right and the wrong ones wrong. Next, you want to carefully evaluate your strategies to make sure that they are effective for helping you eliminate those incorrect answers and arrive at the right one. Finally, you want to assess your own real-time performance. Where you effective at applying your understanding and strategies in real-time? If not, why not? Where did you struggle, and where did you waste time? Careful review can be grueling, but it can also pay off in significant improvement.