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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. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
2. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #5
Weakening conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #2
Primary Objective #8
3. Takes a small number of intstances and treats those instances as if they support a broad - sweeping conclusion. Often appears as an incorrect answer.n
Logical opposites
Rules for Family #3
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Exceptional case/over generalization
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.
Numbers and percentage errors
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #2
Typical assumption question stems
5. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
False dilemma
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #9
6. 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
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Primary Objective #1
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP 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
How to strengthen an argument
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Errors of composition and division
8. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
How to attack a causal conclusion
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
False analogy
9. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Logical negation
Time shift errors
Exceptional case/over generalization
10. 1. The survey uses a biased sample 2. The survey questions are improperly constructed 3. Respondents to the survey give inaccurate responses. People do not always tell the truth when responding to surveys.n
Numbers and percentage errors
Survey errors
Primary Objective #9
Logical opposites
11. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Sufficient Condition
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Probability indicators
Necessary Condition
12. A. Eliminates an alternate cause for the stated effect B. Shows that when the cause occurs - the effect occurs - assumption answers affirm the cause/effect relationship C. Show that when the cause does not occur - the effect doe not occur D. Eliminat
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Mistaken Negation
Rules for Family #1
13. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Source argument AKA ad hominen
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Justify the conclusion formula
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
14. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Straw Man
Family #1: Prove
Time shift errors
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
15. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Common weakening scenarios
16. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Method of Reasoning
How to strengthen an argument
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
17. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Rules for Family #3
Logical opposites
18. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Premise definition
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Primary Objective #4
19. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Premise Indicators
20. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Premise definition
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #4
21. 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.
Circular reasoning
Counter Premise Indicators
False dilemma
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
22. Refer to the amount or quantity in the relationship. Examples: (do not need to memorize) all - every - most - many - several - sole - only - not all - none - few.
Conclusion Indicators
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Method of Reasoning questions
Quantity indicators
23. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Family #4: Disprove
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Rules for Family #1
24. 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
Survey errors
Mistaken cause and effect
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
How to strengthen an argument
25. Occurs when an author attempts to attack an opponent's position by ignoring the actual statements made by the opposing speaker and instead distorts and refashions the argument - making it weaker in the process. Often prephrased by 'what you're saying
Straw Man
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Weaken question signal words
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
26. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Appeal Fallacies
Family #3: Hurt
Numbers and percentage errors
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
27. They can be in the premises or conclusion. If they are in the conclusion the argument is flawed. Classic mistaken cause and effect reasoning refers to occurences when a causal assertion is made in the conclusion or the conclusion presumes a causal re
Causal statements
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Errors of conditional reasoning
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
28. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Rules for Family #3
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #5
Assumption Negation Technique
29. 1. new element answers - an answer that describes something that did not occure or describes an element new to the argument cannot be correct 2. Half right - half wrong answers - LSAT makers like to start off with something that happened - then end w
Logical negation
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Errors of conditional reasoning
30. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Primary Objective #5
Main Point Questions
Numbers and percentage errors
Weaken question signal words
31. Usually have one male and one female. The female uses sound reasoning and the male uses flawed reasoning or makes a mistake. This is not always true - but more often than not.n
2 speaker questions
How to strengthen an argument
Primary Objective #6
Counter Premise Indicators
32. 1. You must accept the stimulus info- even if it contains an error in reasoning-and use it to prove one of the answer choices must be true. 2. Any info in an answer choice that does not appear either directly in the stimulus or as a combination of it
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
How to attack a causal conclusion
Weakening conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #1
33. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
Counter Premise Indicators
Weaken question signal words
How to attack a causal conclusion
34. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
How to attack a causal conclusion
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Family #1: Prove
35. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Main Point Questions
Mistaken Negation
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Source argument AKA ad hominen
36. Take the statements under consideration and place them in an arrangement that forces once to be the conclusion and the other(s) to be the premise (s). Use premise and conclusion indicators to achieve this end. Once the pieces are arranged - determine
False analogy
Necessary Condition
Conclusion Identification Method
Primary Objective #7
37. 1. No conclusion. When a stimulus does not have a conclusion and contains a paradox - expect a Resolve question 2. Language of contradiction exp: but - however - yet - although - paradoxically - surprisingly.
Justify the conclusion formula
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Conclusion Indicators
'Additional' Premise Indicators
38. 1. Watch for answers starting with the phrase 'at least one' or 'at least some'. When an assumption answer choice starts with one of these phrases it is usually right. But ALWAYS verify with A.N.T. 2. Avoid answers that claim an idea was the most imp
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Mistaken cause and effect
39. A. Eliminate any alternate causes for the stated effect. B. Show that when the cause occurs - the effect occurs. C. Show that when the cause does not occur - the effect does not occur. D. Eliminate the possility that the stated relationship is revers
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Probability indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
40. 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?
False analogy
Conclusion Indicators
Primary Objective #2
Conclusion definition
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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Mistaken Negation
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Rules for Family #2
42. Allows you to decide between contenders or to confirm that the answer you have chosen is correct. 1. Logically negate the answer choices under consideration. Usually consists of taking a 'not' out of a sentence or putting a 'not' in a sentence. 2. Th
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Counter Premise Indicators
Assumption Negation Technique
43. Switches the elements in the sufficient and necessary conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Reversal: Study --> A+.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Mistaken Reversal
Causal statements
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
44. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Mistaken Negation
Survey errors
Family #4: Disprove
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
45. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Time shift errors
Logical opposites
Primary Objective #2
Method of Reasoning questions
46. 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
Sufficient Condition
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Main Point Questions
Family #1: Prove
47. 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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48. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Assumption Negation Technique
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
49. 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?
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Premise definition
Method of Reasoning
Quantity indicators
50. This type of flawed argument attacks the person (or source) instead of the argument they advance. because the LSAT is concerned solely with argument forms - a speaker can never validly attack the character or motives or a person; instead - a speaker
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Primary Objective #9
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions