FAQ About LSAT Analytical Reasoning

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HERE YOU'LL FIND the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers about LSAT logic games. Just follow the links for answers to specific questions, or scroll down to read the entire FAQ.

What are logic games, and what do they look like?
How many logic game questions appear on the LSAT, and what is the format?
Do I need to know formal logic for the analytical reasoning (logic games) portion of the exam?
What is the key to success in handling LSAT logic games?
Is it useful to identify different question types (as opposed to game types) for the purpose of developing different strategies or approaches?
Is there any pattern in difficulty level among games within an exam section?
How much time should I allot for any one logic game?
Should I attempt all of the logic games in a section, or should I skip one?
Do the questions in a game appear in ascending order of difficulty? If so, should I consider skipping later (more difficult) questions?
What if I have only one or two minutes to attempt a game?
Is scratch paper permitted for this portion of the exam?

1 What are logic games, and what do they look like?

The term logic game is used in this FAQ (and in GRE LSAT Logic Workbook) to refer to a particular type of question appearing on the LSAT. Logic-game questions are officially termed analytical reasoning questions. These questions are designed to measure your ability to understand a system of relationships and to draw conclusions about those relationships. On the LSAT, analytical reasoning questions appear in sets. Each set presents a distinct logic puzzle or game which includes three elements: (1) the premise, (2) theconditions, and (3) the questions.

The Premise

Example:
An amusement park roller coaster includes five cars, numbered 1 through 5 from front to back. Each car accommodates up to two riders, seated side by side. Six people — Tom, Gwen, Laurie, Mark, Paul and Jack — are riding the coaster at the same time.

The Conditions

Example:

Laurie is sharing a car.
Mark is not sharing a car and is seated immediately behind an empty car.
Tom is not sharing a car with either Gwen or Paul.
Gwen is riding in either the third or fourth car.

The Questions

You must consider each question separately from the other questions.

Sample Logic Game

Sample Questions:

Which of the following groups of riders could occupy the second car?

(A) Laurie only
(B) Tom and Gwen
(C) Laurie and Mark
(D) Jack and Tom
(E) Jack, Gwen, and Paul
If Gwen is riding immediately behind Laurie's car and immediately ahead of Tom's car, all of the following must be true EXCEPT:

(A) Gwen is riding in the fourth car.
(B) Paul is riding in the third car.
(C) Tom is riding in the fifth car.
(D) Laurie is riding in the third car.
(E) The first car is empty.
Which one of the following statements CANNOT be true?

(A) Neither Tom nor Gwen is sharing a car with another rider.
(B) Neither Mark nor Jack is sharing a car with another rider.
(C) Tom is sharing a car, and Jack is sharing a car.
(D) Gwen is sharing a car, and Paul is sharing a car.
(E) Tom is sharing a car, and Gwen is sharing a car.
If Paul is riding in the second car, how many different combinations of riders are possible for the third car?

(A) one
(B) two
(C) three
(D) four
(E) five
Assume that a seventh rider is riding with Jack in the first car, but that all other rules remain unchanged. Which of the following is a complete and accurate list of the riders who might be riding in the fifth car?

(A) Mark
(B) Gwen, Paul
(C) Tom, Laurie, Paul
(D) Tom, Laurie, Mark
(E) Mark, Gwen, Paul, Tom, Laurie

2 How many logic game questions appear on the LSAT, and what is the format?

On the LSAT, one of the four scored 35-minute sections of the exam consists entirely of logic games. This 35-minute "Analytical Reasoning" section contains four logic games, each of which includes five to eight questions (six questions is most common). The total number of questions in a 35-minute section is either 23 or 24 (usually 24). Do not confuse analytical reasoning questions withlogical reasoning questions. The former involve logic puzzles or games, while the latter involve analyzing arguments that are generally inductive rather than deductive in nature.

A 35-Minute LSAT Analytical Reasoning Section

Logic Game #1 (5-8 questions)
Logic Game #2 (5-8 questions)
Logic Game #3 (5-8 questions)
Logic Game #4 (5-8 questions)

Total of 24 Questions

3 Do I need to know formal logic for the analytical reasoning (logic games) portion of the exam?

Logic games — even the simpler ones — are not easy. Don't panic; you simply need to develop certain skills. This does not mean, however, that you need to enroll in a formal college-level logic course before taking the exam. Much of what you would learn in such a course — particularly the terminology and symbols used in formal logic — is of little or no practical use in handling LSAT logic games.

4 What is the key to success in handling LSAT logic games?

There are really three keys to scoring your best in Analytical Reasoning.

Learn to recognize logic game PATTERNS. The test-makers design logic games to fit into certain basic molds. The primary difference between these molds involves the nature of the relationship among the game's subjects. So I've categorized logic games accordingly in GRE-LSAT Logic Workbook. Here are the basic categories you're most likely to see on your exam:
Selection: You select subjects from among a pool
Linear sequencing: You line up the subjects in order (in sequence)
Attribute: You assign characteristics — or attributes — to each subject
Grouping: You divide the subjects into three or more groups
Logical: You determine cause-and-effect relationships among the subjects
Non-linear spatial: You determine how the subjects are arranged spatially
Each type of game calls for its own distinct approach, so it's crucial that you know which type you're up against when you see it on the exam!
Learn to devise a master diagram, or template, for each type of game. Without drawing effective diagrams to visualize the relationships defined by the rules of a game, you're unlikely to have much success in responding to the questions. Diagramming a logic game is a bit of an art form. An effective diagram will help you to think clearly and to respond to the questions quickly and confidently. An ineffective diagram will result in confusion, wasted time, and poor test results. Helping you to develop effective diagrams is really what GRE LSAT Logic Workbook is all about.
Practice, practice, practice! Unlike other portions of the LSAT, logic games bear little resemblance to any other academic experience. The more you practice, however, the more familiar and comfortable you'll become with this unique test format. By working through GRE LSAT Logic Workbook you'll learn to recognize and distinguish between various types of logic games and develop techniques for handling them as efficiently as possible.

5 Is it useful to identify different question types (as opposed to game types) for the purpose of developing different strategies or approaches?

In a word, no. This is not to say that you can't define distinct question types. For example, if you analyze the five sample questions in the roller-coaster game, you might define three categories:

Questions like #1 and #3, which require you to draw conclusions based only on the original conditions
Questions like #2 and #4, which add one or more restrictions to those imposed by the original conditions (this is the most common type of question)
Questions like #5, which alter either the basic premise or one of the original conditions (this is the least common type of question)

However, these three question types do NOT call for distinct strategies. You'll lead yourself astray be looking for tricks and shortcuts that depend on pigeon-holing questions.

6 Is there any pattern in difficulty level among games within an exam section?

The logic games appearing in a particular exam section vary considerably in difficulty level. More challenging games tend to appear later than easier ones, although you may find the second or third game to be more troublesome than the last game. It is safe to say, however, that the first game will not be your most difficult one.

7 How much time should I allot for any one logic game?

The amount of time that you should devote to a particular logic game depends upon several factors. Some games are more complex than others and thus are inherently more time consuming. If you're working very efficiently, you might be able to handle a simple game in as little as 5 or 6 minutes. However, most test-takers require at least 7 or 8 minutes for even the simplest of games. Complex games may realistically call for as much as a 10-minute investment of your time.

Do not devote more than 10 minutes to any one logic game, unless you're attempting fewer than all of the games in the section (see the discussion below). A slow pace is generally inefficient, even for challenging games.

8 Should I attempt all of the logic games in a section, or should I skip one?

Logic games are easier for some test-takers than for others. You may find that you'll achieve an optimal score by skipping one of the games in a section and devoting the entire time to the remaining games.

After working through GRE LSAT Logic Workbook you should take several timed tests to determine which strategy works best for you. In any event, do NOT skip more than one game; allocating your entire time to only two of four games results in a pace that is far too slow and is not justifiable for even the most challenging games.

If you determine that your overall performance improves by devoting more time to fewer games, the materials in GRE LSAT Logic Workbook will help you identify which game to skip. Remember that the games will not necessarily appear on the exam in strict ascending order of difficulty; thus, you should not assume that you should skip the game that appears last in the section.

9 Do the questions in a game appear in ascending order of difficulty? If so, should I consider skipping later (more difficult) questions?

The first one or two questions in a game are usually somewhat simpler than the others. Earlier questions generally involve the more basic and obvious relationships established by the rules of the game. These questions typically focus on just one or two of the rules, without requiring more than one or two deductive steps.

Otherwise, the questions do not necessarily appear in ascending order of difficulty. While the final one or two questions are typically more complex than the others, you should be ready for them and may actually find them easier than earlier ones simply because you have already played the game for a while and have become familiar and comfortable with it. There is no single question type that is inherently so much more difficult or time consuming than others that you would benefit by skipping every question of that type.

10 What if I have only one or two minutes to attempt a game?

Perhaps your pace has been too slow and only a few minutes remain for your final game. In this event, you need to decide quickly which two or three questions of the final game to attempt. Bear in mind that some of the questions (most likely the earlier ones) might be answerable without reading the premise or all of the rules. A quick glance at the question stem, along with a quick reading of the rule relating to the question, might suffice to respond to that question (or at least to narrow down the answer choices an take a reasoned guess).

11 Is scratch paper permitted for this portion of the exam?

A couple pages of scratch paper are included in the back of the LSAT test booklet. Also, space is provided at the bottom of each page of the Analytical Reasoning section for diagrams and notes. This space suffices as long as you keep your diagrams small and neat.

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