| During my experience as an LSAT Tutor, I have | | | | are approached. Each rule should be refined through a |
| gotten to teach dozens of students. Some students | | | | shorthand, do this for each of the rules. Once all the |
| excel at reading while others quickly grasp the | | | | rules have been identified, the inherent rules which are |
| complex logic behind the logical reasoning section, each | | | | not blatantly identified must be found. The questions will |
| student has different strengths and weaknesses. | | | | typically test your knowledge of the deductions, so |
| Despite this, I have rarely met a student who was | | | | spend time understanding the rules. Once the inherent |
| naturally gifted in the LSAT logic games. Of the three | | | | rules have been identified and condensed students |
| multiple choice sections, more students find the logic | | | | may now begin answering the questions. |
| games section the most difficult than the other two | | | | The Questions |
| combined. From years of experience, the most | | | | For many students who have not taken the initial time |
| effective strategy I have found for conquering the | | | | to prepare for the game, answering each question can |
| LSAT logic games are listed below. | | | | be a challenging endeavor. Every new question |
| Understanding the LSAT logic games | | | | presents its own struggle, siphoning off critical seconds. |
| While the logical reasoning and reading comprehension | | | | With a complete and accurate initial diagram, most |
| sections are difficult, the logic games are unique to the | | | | answers should be easily identifiable. A typical LSAT |
| LSAT. Some students have been exposed to logic, | | | | logic games has 4 to 8 questions associated with |
| both formal and informal, but the logic games are | | | | each scenario, making the time spent diagramming |
| specifically created for the LSAT. This being the case, | | | | more than justifiable. Taking the steps above provides |
| I recommend that my students begin by fully | | | | a strong base for each question, sometimes eliminating |
| understanding the logic games uniqueness and | | | | all the work for an entire question due to an already |
| approaching the games with a clear mind. There are | | | | solved deduction. If new assumptions present |
| four games per section, usually ordered from easiest | | | | themselves, students should take the time to condense |
| to hardest, that must be completed within 35 minutes. | | | | the assumption and add it to the initial setup. If the |
| The LSAT only uses correct answers for determining | | | | question stem adds an additional rule that is only |
| the score, so guessing is recommended if you are | | | | applicable to that question, students should produce a |
| stuck. | | | | miniature diagram that is only associated with that |
| Approaching the Setup | | | | question. Once that question is done, the student |
| In my opinion, at least 90 seconds should be spent | | | | should forget about the assumptions as well as the |
| making a thorough reading of the scenario and rules. | | | | diagram that they have made. |
| The scenario describes the game and is applicable to | | | | Following these three steps makes the LSAT logic |
| each question, accordingly, an understanding of the | | | | games section much more manageable. These steps |
| scenario is necessary to understand the game. A | | | | are by no means complete, but in essence they |
| student should extract the variables from the scenario | | | | capture the necessary steps for acing the logic games |
| and use it as the basis for their diagram. You should | | | | section. |
| have each variable set marked before you the rules | | | | |