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Test your basic knowledge |
LSAT Logical Reasoning Clues
Start Test
Study First
Subjects
:
logic-and-reasoning
,
LSAT
Instructions:
Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Conclusion Identification Method
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #3
2. If an answer choice describes an event that did not occur in the stimulus - then that answer is incorrect. Watch for answers that are partially true - that is answers that contain a description of something that happened in the argument but that also
Primary Objective #3
Weakening conditional reasoning
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
3. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Weakening conditional reasoning
Assumption Negation Technique
Family #3: Hurt
Sufficient Condition
4. Because - since - for - for example - for the reason that - in that - given that - as indicated by - due to - owing to - this can be seen from - we know this by.
Premise Indicators
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Rules for Family #3
Mistaken Reversal
5. 1. Increasing percentages automatically lead to increasing numbers. This is not necessarily true because the overall size of the group could get smaller. 2. Decreasing percentages automatically lead to decreasing numbers 3. Increasing numbers automat
Logical opposites
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Common weakening scenarios
Central assumption of causal conclusions
6. The author assumes as true What is supposed to be proved. exp: 'this essay is the best because it is better than all the others'n
Justify the conclusion formula
2 speaker questions
Circular reasoning
Method of Reasoning questions
7. 1. Stem uses the word 'if' or another sufficient indicator 2. Stem uses the phrase 'allows the conclusion to be properly drawn' or 'enables the conclusion to be properly drawn'. 3. Stem does not lessen the degree of justification. Never uses 'most ju
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
How to attack a causal conclusion
8. Stimulus (accepted) ----> Answer Choices (affected or determined) AKA: must be or prove family must be true - main point - point at issue - method of reasoning - flaw in the reasoning - parallel reasoning.
Rules for Family #1
Family #1: Prove
Errors of composition and division
Errors in the use of evidence
9. Weaken - attack - undermine - refute - argue against - call into question - cast doubt - challenge - damage - counter - When evaluating answers ask yourself: 'Would this answer choice make the author reconsider his position or force the author to res
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Numbers and percentage errors
Weaken question signal words
10. 1. if you recognize the form of reasoning used in the stimulus (causal - conditional - etc.) immediately attack the answers and search for the answer with similar reasoning (analogy - circular reasoning) 2. The Conclusion - match the conclusions - to
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
How to strengthen an argument
Justify the conclusion formula
Family #4: Disprove
11. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
False dilemma
Primary Objective #4
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Assumption Negation Technique
12. 1. Stimulus will contain an argument. Must isolate and identify and assess the premises and the conclusion. 2. Focus on the conclusion. Almost all correct Weaken answers impact the conclusion. 3. The info in the stimulus is suspect. There are often r
Logical negation
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
13. Whenever you identify a causal relationship in the conclusion of an LSAT problem - immediately prepare to either weaken or strengthen the argument. Tasks for Weaken questions...must always identify a causal conclusion. Then ask if there relationship
How to attack a causal conclusion
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Circular reasoning
14. 1. Incomplete info. The author fails to consider all of the possibilities or relies upon evidence that is incomplete. This flaw can be attacked by bringing up new possibilities or info. 2. Improper comparison. The author attempts to compare two or mo
Method of Reasoning questions
Common weakening scenarios
Causal statements
2 speaker questions
15. 1. Identify the conclusion - this is what you are trying to strengthen 2. Personalize the argument 3. Look for weaknesses in the argument 4. Arguments that contain analogies or use surveys rely upon the validity of those analogies and surveys. Answer
Straw Man
Method of Reasoning questions
Weaken question signal words
How to strengthen an argument
16. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Conclusion Indicators
Primary Objective #3
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #5
17. 1. The stem uses the word strengthen or a synonym (support - helps - most justifies) 2. The stem indicates that you should accept the answer choices are true.
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Premise Indicators
18. Always read each of the five answer choices. If an answer choice appears somewhat attractive - interesting or even confusing - keep it as a contender and move to the next answer.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #7
Primary Objective #1
19. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Necessary Condition
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Family #3: Hurt
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
20. 1. Appeal to authority - uses the opinion of an authority in an attempt to persuade the reader. The flaw is that the authority may not have relevant knowledge or all of the info regarding the situation - to there may be a difference of opinion among
Appeal Fallacies
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
21. Used to introduce other premises that support the conclusion but are sometimes non-essential to the conclusion furthermore - moreover - besides - in addition - whats more - after all.
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22. The makers of the LSAT do not think that there are multiple causes for the same effect. When an LSAT speaker concludes that one occurance caused another - that speaker also assumes that the stated cause is the only possible cause of the effect and th
Straw Man
Numbers and percentage errors
Family #3: Hurt
Central assumption of causal conclusions
23. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Justify the conclusion formula
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Time shift errors
Primary Objective #3
24. 1. Any 'new' element in the conclusion will appear in the correct answer. 2. Elements that are common to the conclusion and at least one premise normally do not appear in the correct answer. 3. Elements that appear in the premises but not the conclus
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Conclusion Identification Method
Errors of composition and division
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
25. Introduce something that actually contains an idea that is counter to the argument. By raising opposition - the author can minimize the damage that would be done by the objection if it were raised elsewhere. but yet - however - on the other hand - ad
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Necessary Condition
Primary Objective #2
Counter Premise Indicators
26. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #9
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Mistaken Negation
27. Involves judgements made about groups and parts of a group. an error or composition occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of part of the group to the group as a whole or to each member of the group Error of division - author attributes c
Counter Premise Indicators
Errors of composition and division
Method of Reasoning
Rules for Family #2
28. A statement or judgement that follows from one or more reasons. Ask: What is the author driving at? What does the author want me to believe? What point follows from the others?
How to determine the strength of an argument
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Conclusion definition
Counter Premise Indicators
29. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #8
Family #4: Disprove
Exceptional case/over generalization
Straw Man
30. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Causal statements
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #1
Common weakening scenarios
31. 1. The info in the stimulus is supect. There are often reasoning errors present - and you will further weaken the argument in some way. 2. The answer choices are accepted as given - even if they include 'new' info. The task is to determine which answ
Rules for Family #3
Appeal Fallacies
Family #2: Help
Family #1: Prove
32. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Primary Objective #9
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Errors of composition and division
33. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Weaken question signal words
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Primary Objective #7
False dilemma
34. To raise a viewpoint at the beginning of the stimulus and then disagree with it immediately thereafter. The stimulus often begins with: Some people claim... Some people propose... Many people believe... Some argue that... Some critics claim... Some s
Method of Reasoning questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
False analogy
Primary Objective #4
35. Mis-assessing the force of evidence is a frequent error committed by LSAT authors 1. Lack of evidence for a position is taken to prove that position is false 2. lack of evidence against a position is taken to prove that position is true 3. some evide
How to determine the strength of an argument
Rules for Family #1
Errors in the use of evidence
Family #2: Help
36. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Common weakening scenarios
Uncertain use of a term or concept
37. 1. Opposite answers. These answers do the exact opposite of What is needed. 2. Shell game answers. Occurs when an idea or concept is raised in the stimulus and then a very similar idea appears in the answer choices - but the idea is changed just enou
Weaken question signal words
Exceptional case/over generalization
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #1
38. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
39. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Primary Objective #7
False analogy
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
40. 1. The stem uses the word assumption - presupposition or some variation 2. The stem NEVER uses the word 'if' or any other sufficient condition indicator. The stem will likely contain a necessary condition indicator such as required or unless. The cor
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Typical assumption question stems
Method of Reasoning questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
41. 1. The info in the stimulus is suspect. There are often reasoning errors present and depending on the question - you will help shore up the argument in some way. 2. The answer choices are accepted as given - even if they include 'new' info. Your task
Counter Premise Indicators
Typical assumption question stems
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #2
42. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #2
Rules for Family #2
Method of Reasoning
43. Quantity: All = 100 Not all = 0-99 Some = 1-100 None = 0 Time: Always - Not always - Sometimes - Never Space: Everywhere - Not everywhere - Somewhere - No where.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Counter Premise Indicators
Logical opposites
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
44. Refer to the likelihood of occurence or the obligation present - as in 'The mayor should resign.' 'the law will never pass.' Examples: (do not need to memorize) must - will - always - not always - probably - likely - would - never - rarely - could -
Probability indicators
Errors of composition and division
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Logical negation
45. Mistaken negation and reversal exp: taking the non-existence of something as evidence that a necessary precondition for that thing also did not exist' (MN) 'mistakes being sufficient to justify punishment for being required to justify it' (MR)n
Errors of conditional reasoning
How to determine the strength of an argument
Rules for Family #3
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
46. A fact - proposition or statement from which a conclusion is made. Ask: What reasons has the author used to persuade me? Why should I believe this argument? What evidence exists?
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Premise definition
Errors of composition and division
Appeal Fallacies
47. 1. assuming a causal relationship on the basis of the sequence of events 2. assuming a causal relationship when only a correlation exists 3. failure to consider an alternate cause for the effect or an alternate cause for both the cause and the effect
Rules for Family #1
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Primary Objective #4
Mistaken cause and effect
48. 1. ethical versus factual situations - when the stimulus addresses something ethical - a factual answer would be incorrect and vice versa 2. dual agreement or dual disagreement - often incorrect answer choices will supply statements that both speaker
Mistaken cause and effect
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Typical assumption question stems
Errors of conditional reasoning
49. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Necessary Condition
Primary Objective #6
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
'Additional' Premise Indicators
50. First Family The correct answer choice will be a rephrasing of the main conclusion of the argument. The conclusion is either in the middle or beginning of the stimulus. The correct answer choice must not only be true it also must summarize the author
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #6
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Main Point Questions