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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. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #7
Conclusion definition
2. 1. The sufficient condition does not make the necessary condition occur. That is - the sufficient condition does not actively cause the necessary condition to happen. 2. Temporally speaking - either condition can occur first - or the two conditions c
False dilemma
Probability indicators
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
3. 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
Rules for Family #1
Weakening conditional reasoning
False analogy
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
4. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Central assumption of causal conclusions
How to strengthen an argument
Common weakening scenarios
5. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
How to attack a causal conclusion
Method of Reasoning
Conclusion Identification Method
6. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Appeal Fallacies
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #2
Method of Reasoning
7. 1. You can use only the info in the stimulus to prove the correct answer choice 2. Any answer choice that describes an element or a situation that does not occur in the stimulus is incorrect Method of Reasoning questions use a variety of formats - bu
Common weakening scenarios
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Logical negation
Method of Reasoning questions
8. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Logical negation
Counter Premise Indicators
Straw Man
9. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Numbers and percentage errors
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #6
10. 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
Time shift errors
Counter Premise Indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
11. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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12. The mistake involves assuming that conditions will remain constant over time - and that what was the case in the past will be the case in the future or present. n
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Time shift errors
False analogy
Numbers and percentage errors
13. 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
Time shift errors
Exceptional case/over generalization
Weaken question signal words
Sufficient Condition
14. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Conclusion Indicators
False analogy
Sufficient Condition
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
15. 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.
Quantity indicators
False dilemma
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
16. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Errors of conditional reasoning
Numbers and percentage errors
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
17. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Primary Objective #5
Mistaken Negation
How to determine the strength of an argument
18. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Family #2: Help
Errors in the use of evidence
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
19. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
How to determine the strength of an argument
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Premise Indicators
20. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Family #3: Hurt
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Necessary Condition
Primary Objective #9
21. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
22. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Sufficient Condition
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
23. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Typical assumption question stems
Conclusion Indicators
Common weakening scenarios
24. 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.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Family #1: Prove
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Method of Reasoning 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.
2 speaker questions
Logical opposites
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #1
26. 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
Main Point Questions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Justify the conclusion formula
27. 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.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Probability indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
28. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Family #2: Help
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Source argument AKA ad hominen
29. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Appeal Fallacies
Primary Objective #6
How to strengthen an argument
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
30. 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 identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Justify the conclusion formula
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #2
31. 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.
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Necessary Condition
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
32. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Exceptional case/over generalization
Time shift errors
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
33. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #8
Primary Objective #5
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
34. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to attack a causal conclusion
Survey errors
35. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Necessary Condition
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Justify the conclusion formula
36. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Logical negation
37. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Numbers and percentage errors
Justify the conclusion formula
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #9
38. 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
Premise definition
Primary Objective #3
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Errors of conditional reasoning
39. 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
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #3
Rules for Family #3
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
40. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Mistaken Negation
Mistaken Reversal
Straw Man
Primary Objective #4
41. 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
Mistaken Reversal
Errors of composition and division
How to attack a causal conclusion
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
42. 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.
Logical negation
Primary Objective #5
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Family #2: Help
43. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Family #1: Prove
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
44. 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
Primary Objective #7
Probability indicators
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
45. 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?
Primary Objective #8
Sufficient Condition
Rules for Family #3
Conclusion definition
46. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Conclusion Identification Method
Logical negation
Uncertain use of a term or concept
47. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Causal statements
Primary Objective #3
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
48. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Conclusion Identification Method
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Rules for Family #2
False dilemma
49. 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+.
Weaken question signal words
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Mistaken Reversal
Rules for Family #1
50. 1. The stimulus will almost always contain an argument you must identify - isolate and assess the premises and the conclusion of the argument 2. Focus on the conclusion. Almost all correct answer choices impact the conclusion 3. The info in the stimu
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Weakening conditional reasoning
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions