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Understanding Logical Reasoning for LSAT

Dec 20, 2024

Lesson 3: Logical Reasoning (LR) in LSAT

Overview

  • Focus on the Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT.
  • Test duration: 35 minutes to answer 24-26 questions.
  • Structure: Short passage, question stem, five answer choices (A-E).
  • Purpose: Assess ability to understand and think critically about written info.

Question Types in LR

  • Structural Analysis
  • Sufficient Assumption
  • Flaw
  • Strengthener
  • Weakener
  • Necessary Assumption
  • Parallel Structure
  • Inference
  • Unexpected Result
  • Apply the Principle

Strategy for LR Questions

  • Phase 1: Controlled environment to learn question types and strategies.
  • Phase 2: Practice recognizing question types in mixed sections.

General Step-by-Step Approach

  1. Read the question stem.
  2. Note the question type.
  3. Read the passage with purpose.
  4. Identify the conclusion (if applicable).
  5. Conduct thorough argument analysis (if applicable).
  6. Execute front-end strategies (if applicable).
  7. First pass on answer choices.
  8. Second pass on answer choices.
  9. Execute back-end strategies (if applicable).
  10. Choose the answer.

Front-End Question Types

1. Structural Analysis

  • Role: Identify the argument's structure.
  • Common Stems: "Main conclusion," "Role of claim," "Disagree over..."
  • Strategy: Find conclusion, analyze argument relationships.

2. Sufficient Assumption

  • Role: Find assumptions that make the argument logically complete.
  • Common Stems: "Conclusion follows logically if...," "Properly inferred if..."
  • Strategy: Identify gaps, use bridge to fill logical gaps.

3. Flaw

  • Role: Identify reasoning errors in the argument.
  • Common Stems: "Argument is flawed because...," "Vulnerable to criticism..."
  • Strategy: Describe the flaw in reasoning before checking choices.
  • Common Flaws: Correlation vs. causation, insufficient evidence, ad hominem, etc.

Homework and Practice

  • Homework questions provided for self-guided study.
  • Utilize the Insight Training Platform for personalized training and progression.

Upcoming Lessons

  • Next lesson focuses on back-end questions: Strengthener, Weakener, Necessary Assumption, Parallel Structure.

Full transcript