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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. 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.
Method of Reasoning
Quantity indicators
Primary Objective #7
How to determine the strength of an argument
2. 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
Straw Man
Weaken question signal words
Exceptional case/over generalization
Main Point Questions
3. 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
Primary Objective #8
Appeal Fallacies
How to strengthen an argument
Premise definition
4. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Numbers and percentage errors
Mistaken Negation
False dilemma
5. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Survey errors
Typical assumption question stems
Conclusion definition
6. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Primary Objective #8
How to attack a causal conclusion
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
7. 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 necessary condition
Primary Objective #9
Counter Premise Indicators
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
8. 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
Straw Man
Mistaken Reversal
Time shift errors
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
9. 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
Family #2: Help
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Central assumption of causal conclusions
How to determine the strength of an argument
10. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #3
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Mistaken Reversal
11. Supporter - the traditional linking role - where an assumption connects pieces of the argument. (often new or rogue pieces) They also can close gaps. Ex: All male citizens of athens had the right to vote. Therefore - Socrates had the right to vote in
2 roles played by assumptions
Justify the conclusion formula
Primary Objective #6
Necessary Condition
12. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Errors of conditional reasoning
Necessary Condition
2 speaker questions
13. 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
Method of Reasoning
Rules for Family #2
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Typical assumption question stems
14. 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.
Mistaken Negation
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Necessary Condition
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
15. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Family #1: Prove
Primary Objective #3
Assumption Negation Technique
16. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Logical negation
Logical opposites
17. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #6
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Mistaken cause and effect
18. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #5
19. 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
Time shift errors
Conclusion Identification Method
'Additional' Premise Indicators
20. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Primary Objective #3
How to attack a causal conclusion
Necessary Condition
21. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Family #4: Disprove
Mistaken Negation
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
22. 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.
Mistaken Reversal
Mistaken cause and effect
Errors of composition and division
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
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
How to strengthen an argument
Method of Reasoning questions
Weakening conditional reasoning
Common weakening scenarios
24. 1. If conditional statements are linked together in the argument - the correct answer choice for an assumption question will typically supply a missing link in the chain or the contrapositive to that link. 2. If you see a conditional conclusion and t
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Weaken question signal words
Method of Reasoning
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
25. 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
Causal statements
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Premise definition
Primary Objective #3
26. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
False analogy
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #9
27. 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
Errors of composition and division
Exceptional case/over generalization
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #9
28. 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)
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Mistaken Reversal
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
29. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Conclusion definition
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Logical opposites
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
30. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Errors in the use of evidence
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
31. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Rules for Family #3
Conclusion definition
Primary Objective #5
Numbers and percentage errors
32. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Justify the conclusion formula
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Sufficient Condition
33. To weaken a conditional conclusion - attack the necessary condition by showing that the necessary condition does not need to occur in order for the sufficient condition to occur. With a combo of a conditional reasoning stimulus and a weaken question
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Weakening conditional reasoning
2 roles played by assumptions
Mistaken Reversal
34. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #3
2 speaker questions
Rules for Family #3
35. 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.
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Mistaken Negation
Family #1: Prove
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
Conclusion Identification Method
How to strengthen an argument
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
37. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
How to attack a causal conclusion
Assumption Negation Technique
38. 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+.
Primary Objective #3
Numbers and percentage errors
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Mistaken Reversal
39. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Rules for Family #2
Logical opposites
40. 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
Straw Man
Errors of conditional reasoning
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Necessary Condition
41. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Family #3: Hurt
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Method of Reasoning questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
42. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Probability indicators
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Premise Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
43. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Primary Objective #4
Justify the conclusion formula
Conclusion Identification Method
44. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Conclusion Indicators
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Numbers and percentage errors
45. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Errors in the use of evidence
Primary Objective #2
Conclusion definition
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
Conclusion Indicators
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Circular reasoning
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
47. Argument Part - If you do see the main conclusion at the end of a Method-AP problem - be prepared to answer a question about a part of the arguement other than the conclusion.n
Method of Reasoning
Time shift errors
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Primary Objective #2
48. 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 #2
Rules for Family #3
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Typical assumption question stems
49. 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
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #1
Appeal Fallacies
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
50. 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
Necessary Condition
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #1