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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 - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Errors in the use of evidence
Survey errors
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #2
2. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Sufficient Condition
Method of Reasoning
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Numbers and percentage errors
3. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Circular reasoning
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Central assumption of causal conclusions
4. 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
2 speaker questions
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
How to strengthen an argument
5. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Causal statements
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Mistaken Reversal
6. Authors misuses info to such a degree that they fail to provide any info to support their conclusion or they provide info that is irrelevant to their conclusion. n
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Quantity indicators
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Method of Reasoning
7. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Assumption Negation Technique
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Family #4: Disprove
8. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Primary Objective #4
Rules for Family #3
Justify the conclusion formula
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
9. 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
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #6
Rules for Family #3
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
10. 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
Primary Objective #3
Primary Objective #6
Appeal Fallacies
11. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
False dilemma
Conclusion definition
Exceptional case/over generalization
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
12. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Premise definition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
2 speaker questions
Family #2: Help
13. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #7
14. 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
Logical opposites
Conclusion Indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
15. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #1
False dilemma
Errors of composition and division
16. 1. An indication that the answer choices should be accepted as true 2. Keywords that indicate your task is to resolve the problem Action: Problem: Resolve Paradox Explain Contradiction Reconcile Discrepancy Conflict Puzzle *Attempt to prephrase Corre
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
How to determine the strength of an argument
Justify the conclusion formula
17. 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
Main Point Questions
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
18. Caused by because of responsible for reason for leads to induced by promoted by determined by produced by product of played a role in was a factor in is an effect of.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
2 roles played by assumptions
Necessary Condition
19. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
How to determine the strength of an argument
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Mistaken Reversal
Sufficient Condition
20. As an argument progresses - the author must use each term in a constant - coherent fashion. using a term in different ways is inherently confusing and undermines the integrity of the argument. n
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Uncertain use of a term or concept
How to strengthen an argument
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
21. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Family #4: Disprove
Central assumption of causal conclusions
22. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
23. 1. Whatever term is modified by 'unless' - 'except' - 'until' or 'without' becomes the necessary condition 2. The remaining term is negated and becomes the sufficient condition.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #9
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
24. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Family #4: Disprove
False dilemma
How to determine the strength of an argument
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
25. 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.
Conclusion Indicators
Logical opposites
Family #4: Disprove
Main Point Questions
26. 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.
Family #1: Prove
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Central assumption of causal conclusions
27. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Straw Man
Primary Objective #3
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
28. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Conclusion definition
Straw Man
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
29. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Primary Objective #7
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
30. 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 a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #8
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #1
31. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Primary Objective #4
Primary Objective #2
Logical negation
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
32. 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.
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #9
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #7
33. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #2
34. They often feature 2 conclusions (main and sub.) - when the main conclusion is typically place in the first or second sentence and the last sentence contains the sub. conclusion. The sub. conclusion is set off by conclusion indicators while the main
Survey errors
Causal statements
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Quantity indicators
35. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Mistaken Reversal
2 speaker questions
36. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Rules for Family #1
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Common weakening scenarios
37. Always ask: Do the given facts support the conclusion? Do the premises strongly suggest that the conclusion would be true? Does the conclusion feel like an inevitable result of the premises? Or Does the conclusion go beyond the scope of the info in t
Probability indicators
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
How to determine the strength of an argument
38. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #8
Rules for Family #3
Sufficient Condition
False analogy
39. 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?
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #2
Conclusion definition
Logical opposites
40. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Exceptional case/over generalization
Errors of conditional reasoning
41. 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
Rules for Family #2
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Weaken question signal words
Weakening conditional reasoning
42. 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.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #4
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
43. Think about the structure of the argument before examining the answer choices. Do not expect to see the exact prephrase - there are too many variations. Make an abstract prephrase then examine each answer to see if it paraphrases the prephrase.n
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Errors of composition and division
Exceptional case/over generalization
44. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #1
45. 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
False analogy
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Rules for Family #2
Errors of conditional reasoning
46. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Causal statements
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
47. They h ave failed to fully and accurately identify the conclusion of the argument. If a conclusion is present - you MUST identify it prior to proceeding on to the question stem.
Weakening conditional reasoning
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
How to attack a causal conclusion
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
48. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #8
Mistaken Reversal
49. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Probability indicators
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
50. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Errors of composition and division
How to strengthen an argument
Primary Objective #6
Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?
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