LSAT Prep Course
Learn strategies to conquer the LSAT in a classroom environment with your peers.
Welcome to your LSAT Prep Course!
Class notes, whiteboard PDFs, homework, and class recordings will be posted to on this page throughout the course so that you can access all of the information from the course in one place. I recommend that you bookmark this page so you can easily refer to the information here throughout your LSAT studies.
Zoom Classroom:
Please register to attend class through the link below. A link to the classroom will be provided upon registration.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqcuCppz0oEtLbYsopw2DHQYgs3K5K8ypl
Passcode (if prompted): 749132
Add to Calendar:
I recommend that you add the class sessions to your calendar using one of the links below.
Add to Google Calendar | Add to Outlook Calendar | Add to Yahoo Calendar
The Journey to Law School | Saturday, June 26th 9:00 am - 10:30 am EST
Presentation Slides:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QSORR5Dur2THBYRrzy5Z5yHccXH3G5xTKrpc–oK9-M/edit?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ATeW2EsPkdB1_J0LHB2fGUBfrXF94Ypl/view?usp=sharing
Important Notes:
If applying for a fee waiver from LSAC, please note that you may be rejected after the initial review and you can write to them to reconsider your application. EOF students can submit their EOF award letter when providing documentation to demonstrate financial need.
Intro to the LSAT Prep Course | Sunday, June 27th 9:00 am - 10:30 am EST
Presentation Slides:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZC9456KuoTP6C4T-2Vthak_DhZglp_fnTWe59tkKkVs/edit?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zSWVg_uNXPRYgZ05Iqancu42p4hWGHD3/view?usp=sharing
Important Notes:
Another practice LSAT will be administered on Friday, July 2nd for students who were not able to participate in the practice test that was administered last Friday. Stay tuned for further information, including the time of the test and a Zoom link.
Logic Games: Strict Sequencing Games | Saturday, July 3rd 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
General Logic Games Strategy
1) Read the stimulus
2) Make a sketch
3) Add the rules
4) Make deductions
5) Evaluate the questions
1) Read the stimulus
-What kind of game is it?
-What should the sketch look like?
-What are the game pieces?
-Can I reuse the game pieces?
2) Make a sketch
-Include a list of the entities and label the positions.
3) Add the rules
-Can I add the rule directly into the sketch?
4) Make deductions
-Look to combine rules that mention the same game piece.
-Think about where game pieces must or cannot go.
5) Evaluate the questions
-What question type is this?
-What is the strategy for this question type?
-What level of truth am I looking for?
Strict Sequencing Games Strategy
In setting up a Strict Sequencing game we are going to make a linear sketch with dashes for every position. We must also include the game pieces at the top of our sketch and labels below the positions.
Levels of Truth
Every Logic Games question on the LSAT will ask you to identify an answer choice that matches a certain level of truth. Levels of truth have two parts to them. First, a degree of certainty (could be or must be) and, second, a truth value (true or false). These components can be interchanged with each other, creating four levels of truth. Each LSAT question will ask you to identify an answer choice that matches a specific level of truth. The incorrect answer choices will all match the opposite level of truth. The four levels of truth and their inverse counterparts are listed below:
If the question asks you to identify something that:
-could be true (CBT), then there will be four incorrect answers that must be false (MBF)
-must be true (MBT), then there will be four incorrect answers that could be false or must be false (CBF or MBF)
-could be false (CBF), then there will be four incorrect answers that must be true (MBT)
-must be false (MBF), then there will be four incorrect answers that could be true or must be true (CBT or MBT)
A question that asks for something that could be true (CBT) has one answer choice that will match this level of truth and the four incorrect answer choices will be ones that must be false (MBF), given the sketch, rules, and deductions. You should practice writing the correct and incorrect levels of truth for every Logic Game question during the first half of your prep.
Strategy for Acceptability Questions
How to Recognize: Question stem will say “could be the order/list/schedule”, “is an acceptable order”, “could be an accurate order”
Strategy: Use the rules to evaluate the answers choices. Eliminate any answer choice that violates a rule. Arrive at the correct answer by process of elimination. If you have more than one answer choice left after going through all of the rules check against any limitations: rules hiding within the stimulus.
Process:
1) Use the rules as a measuring stick to evaluate the answers choices against.
2) Eliminate any answer choice that violates a rule.
3) Arrive at the correct answer by process of elimination.
These questions are comparatively easier so be sure to pick them up on Test Day. You don’t even need an accurate sketch to identify the correct answer.
Strategy for Global Questions
How to Recognize: Question stem will say “Which…could be/could not be/cannot be/must be the order/list/schedule”
Strategy: These questions do not introduce any new conditions. Instead, they ask what must be true, must be false, could be true, or could be false about a game as it is defined by the scenario in the stimulus, the rules, and any possible deductions. As such, we will use our sketch, together with the rules and any deductions we have been able to make, to evaluate the answer choices.
Process:
1) Try to use the sketch, together with the rules and any deductions we have been able to make, to evaluate the answer choices.
2) If it is not possible to select the correct answer with only our sketch, rules, and deductions, then skip the question and answer it after completing the rest of the questions related to the game.
3) Use the game’s other questions to eliminate answer choices.
4) If we still have not gotten to the correct answer, we can plug and chug the remaining answer choices.
Strategy for If Questions
How to Recognize: Question stem will say “If…”
Strategy: These questions introduce a new condition that acts as a new rule for our game that exists only for the question at hand. Then, they ask what must be true, must be false, could be true, or could be false about the game. To evaluate these questions we must first add the new condition into our sketch. Then, we make new deductions by thinking about how the new rule interacts with the sketch and the existing rules that define the game.
Process:
1) Add the new condition into our sketch.
2) Make new deductions by thinking about how the new rule interacts with the sketch and the existing rules that define the game.
3) Evaluate the answer choices with our new deductions in mind.
The new condition introduced in the question will always lead to additional deductions. These deductions will lead us to the correct answer.
Strategy for Fully Determined Questions
How to Recognize: “…is fully determined if…”
Strategy: These questions ask us to select a new condition in the answer choices that will fully determine the game. This means that each game piece is assigned to a position on the game board. This is going to require us to ‘plug and chug’ by testing out the new conditions in the answer choices to see if they lead to further deductions that assign each game piece to a specific position on the game board.
We could start at A and work our way to E, but we first want to read through the answer choices and make an educated guess as to which answer choice to test out first. We want to select the answer choice that would trigger further deductions that are going to lead to each game piece being assigned to a particular position.
Process:
1) Read through the answer choices and make an educated guess as to which answer choice to test out first. (We want to select the answer choice that would trigger further deductions that are going to lead to each game piece being assigned to a particular position.)
2) Test out the answer choice by plugging it into the game and seeing if it leads to the assignment of every game piece to a specific position on the game board.
3) If it does, select that answer choice and move on. If it does not, repeat steps 1-3.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
PrepTest 76 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-6
PrepTest 72 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Setup and Question 8
Game Types:
Strict Sequencing
Question Types:
Acceptability, Global, If, and Fully Determines
Homework:
Please complete the following games in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class:
Strict Sequencing Games
PrepTest 60 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Questions 7-12
PrepTest 61 – Section 1 – Game 4 – Questions 18-23
PrepTest 62 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-6
PrepTest 63 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Questions 6-10
PrepTest 63 – Section 1 – Game 3 – Questions 11-17
PrepTest 64 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-6
PrepTest 69 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-5
PrepTest 71 – Section 1 – Game 4 – Questions 17-23
PrepTest 77 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-5
Whiteboard PDFs:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Oe5GRqARb0rtsGL4sIYRlaDzcdgxgQtW/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DHaDD1au_rvwHKmKfpD_dO0t-SPGiqTo/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Main Point, Role of a Statement, and Point at Issue Questions | Saturday, July 10th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
General Logical Reasoning Strategy
1) Read and identify the question stem
2) Read the stimulus
3) Make a prediction
4) Evaluate the answer choices
1) Read and identify the question stem
-What kind of question is it?
-What strategy do I use for this question?
2) Read the stimulus
-Focus on what the question is asking you for. The argument’s conclusion, the role of a statement, etc.
3) Make a prediction
-A guess of what the correct answer choice will be stated in your own words.
4) Evaluate the answer choices
-Select the answer choice that matches your prediction.
Identifying Parts of Logical Reasoning Arguments
Evidence: statements given in support of the argument’s conclusion. Evidence statements are the reasons that the author believes whatever he is trying to convince us of – the argument’s main conclusion. Evidence is also referred to as premises or supporting statements.
Evidence Key Words: Because, since, after all, on the grounds that, given that, for, as shown by.
Background information: statements given to provide context for the argument.
Conclusion: statement of the author’s main point. This is what the author is trying to convince us of. It is the purpose behind the author writing the argument and the statement that the rest of the argument supports.
Conclusion Key Words: Thus, therefore, hence, so, conclude, it follows that, as a result, clearly, obviously, nevertheless, nonetheless.
Note: While keywords can be helpful, we do not want to rely on them. Sometimes we can have evidence or a conclusion without any key words and sometimes we can have a statements that include conclusion key words but are not actually the arguments main conclusion.
Strategy for Main Point Questions
Main Point questions ask us to identify the author’s main point or main conclusion.
How to Recognize: “expresses the overall/main conclusion”
Strategy: Identify the argument’s evidence, background information, and conclusion. Restate the argument’s conclusion in your prediction. Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices. We want to select the answer choice that matches our restatement of the argument’s main point. Keep in mind that it does not have to match our prediction exactly, it just has to accurately state the argument’s main point.
Process:
1) Identify the parts of the argument (evidence, background information, and conclusion).
2) Restate the argument’s conclusion in a prediction.
3) Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices.
Incorrect answer choices will be either be statements that are not included in the argument or statements that are included in the argument but serve a different role other than the argument’s main point.
Strategy for Role of a Statement Questions
Role of a Statement questions ask us to identify what role a specific statement within the argument plays for the argument as a whole.
How to Recognize: “the statement that…functions primarily in the argument”, “the claim that…plays which of the following roles in the argument”
Strategy: Identify the argument’s evidence, background information, and conclusion. Identify which role the part of the argument the statement that the question stem is asking about plays. Make a prediction that states what role the statement plays in relation to the argument’s evidence and conclusion. Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices.
Process:
1) Identify the parts of the argument (evidence, background information, and conclusion)
2) Identify which role the statement in question plays
3) Make a prediction that states what role the statement plays in relation to the argument’s evidence and conclusion
3) Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices
Incorrect answers will either incorrectly identify what role the statement identified in the question stem plays or correctly identify the role that the statement in the question stem plays but incorrectly identify other pieces of the argument, such as the argument’s conclusion or evidence.
Strategy for Point at Issue Questions
Point at Issue questions ask us to identify a point that two authors disagree or agree about.
How to Recognize: “the discussion above indicates that…agree/disagree with each other about…”
Strategy: Identify the evidence and conclusion in each argument. Identify a point that both authors express an opinion about. Evaluate whether the authors agree or disagree about the point that they both express an opinion about.
Process:
1) Identify a point that both authors express an opinion about
2) Evaluate whether the authors agree or disagree about that point
3) Make a prediction about what the authors agree or disagree about
4) Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices
Incorrect answers will either be something that only one or none of the authors express an opinion about, will be something that they agree about for disagree questions, or will be something that they disagree about for agree questions.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
-Main Point Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 9
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Questions 1 and 24
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 18
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 16
-Role of a Statement Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 11
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 12
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 17
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 24
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 11
-Point at Issue Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 2
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 25
Question Types:
Main Point, Role of a Statement, and Point at Issue Questions
Homework:
Please complete the following questions in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class.
-Main Point Questions-
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Questions 5 and 7
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 12
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Question 4
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Questions 3 and 9
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Question 11
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Questions 5 and 11
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Question 13
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 2
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Question 8
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 8
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Question 11
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 8
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Question 18
-Role of a Statement Questions-
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Question 13
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Question 15
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 9
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Question 14
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Questions 14 and 16
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 20
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Question 7
|PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Question 20
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Questions 7, 14, 16, and 22
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Questions 4, 14, 17, and 19
-Point at Issue Questions-
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 4
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 5
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 10
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 2
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Question 19
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Question 3
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Questions 4 and 10
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 2
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Questions 4, 6, and 20
Whiteboard PDFs:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zXl8eYjTmMJZ2Lt7fWIqSGf5NqYCc4Xx/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y1kF2lNnuIdJqG34O41X_o7FAmasqh07/view?usp=sharing
Reading Comprehension: Global, Inference, and Detail Questions | Sunday, July 11th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
General Reading Comprehension Strategy
1) Read and map the passage
2) Think about the T, S, P, and MI
3) Read and identify the question stem
4) Research the text
5) Make a prediction
6) Evaluate the answer choices
1) Read and map the passage
-Identify key parts of the passage.
2) Think about the T, S, P, and MI
-Topic: What the passage is about overall.
-Scope: More specific/narrow description of topic.
-Purpose: Why the author wrote the passage.
-Main Idea: Overall idea stated in the passage.
3) Read and identify the question stem
-What type of question are we dealing with?
-What strategy do we use for the question type?
4) Research the text
-Look back to the specific part of the text that the question asks about
-Reread the relevant text, searching for the information that the question stem is asking about.
-We can skip Step 4 if we already know what the question is asking for.
5) Make a prediction
-Guess what the correct answer choice will be.
6) Evaluate the answer choices
-Select the answer choice that matches your prediction.
Strategically Reading and Mapping Passage
Read the passage strategically by identifying key parts that the questions are likely to ask you about.
Underline important parts of the passage, such as:
-an indication of the author’s opinion
-definitions
-examples
-words that indicate emphasis, continuation, and contrast
Take a break after each paragraph to think about how it figures into the passage as a whole. Write a margin note next to the paragraph summarizing it.
Strategy for Global Questions
Global questions ask about the passage as a whole.
How to Identify: “main point”, “purpose”, “organization”
Strategy: Consult the passage mapping, Topic, Scope, Main Idea, and Purpose of the passage.
Strategy for Inference Questions
Inference questions ask us to make an inference based on the information included in the passage.
How to Identify: “based on the information in the passage…the author would be most likely to view/agree with”
Strategy: Consult the relevant text if possible and consider the author’s opinion.
Strategy for Detail Questions
Detail questions ask about a specific detail within the passage.
How to Identify: “According to the passage…”
Strategy: Research the relevant text. The correct answer will be explicitly stated.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
PrepTest 69 – Section 4 – Passage 1 – Questions 1-7
PrepTest 69 – Section 4 – Passage 1 – Questions 22 and 23
Question Types:
Global, Inference, and Detail Questions
Homework:
Please complete the following games in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class:
Reading Comprehension Passages
PrepTest 69 – Section 4 – Passage 1 – Questions 24-27 (Passage mapped in class)
PrepTest 70 – Section 4 – Passages 1, 2, and 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 71 – Section 4 – Passages 1, 3, and 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 72 – Section 4 – Passages 1, 2, and 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 73 – Section 4 – Passages 1, 2, and 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 74 – Section 4 – Passages 1, 2, and 3 – All Related Questions
The questions related to these passages will contain some question types that we have not covered in class. Do your best to evaluate these questions but know that we will learn the strategy for these questions in the following Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension class sessions.
Whiteboard PDFs:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pJUgbjQd1KJtqj9SBnE9udp4fjPlxOOT/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k6KowUyHUg0DeMx1bPmIdFfR2x7keYCC/view?usp=sharing
Logic Games: Rule Replacement Questions, Complete List Questions, Loose Sequencing Games, and Selection Games | Saturday, July 24th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
Strategy for Rule Replacement Questions
How to Recognize: “Which of the following, if substituted for/replaced with the constraint that…would have the same effect…”
Strategy: These questions ask you to replace one of the game’s rules with a new rule stated in the answer choices. We need to select the answer choice that would recreate the exact same conditions that the original game had. Incorrect answer choices will either open up possibilities that did not exist in the original game or eliminate possibilities that existed in the original game. The correct answer will neither limit nor expand the game further than the original rules did. The new rule will restrict the game exactly as the old rule had.
This is going to require us to ‘plug and chug’ by testing out the new conditions in the answer choices to see if they restrict the game in exactly the same way as the original rule that we are replacing did. We could start at A and work our way to E, but we first want to read through the answer choices and make an educated guess as to which answer choice to test out first. We want to select the answer choice that would not introduce additional possibilities nor additional restrictions.
Process:
1) Read through the answer choices and make an educated guess as to which answer choice to test out first. (We want to select the answer choice that would not introduce additional possibilities nor additional restrictions.)
2) Test out the answer choice by plugging it into the game and seeing if it creates the exact same conditions that the original rule established.
3) If it does, select the answer choice and move on. If it does not, repeat steps 1-3.
Strategy for Complete List Questions
How to Recognize: “…is a complete and accurate list…”
Strategy: Find all of the game pieces that could possibly go into the relevant position. Eliminate any answer choices that include game pieces for which it must be false that they could be included in the relevant position or fail to include game pieces for which it could be true that they be included in the relevant position.
Process:
1) Find all of the game pieces that could possibly go into the relevant position.
2) Eliminate any answer choices that include game pieces for which it must be false that they could be included in the relevant position or fail to include game pieces for which it could be true that they be included in the relevant position.
3) Evaluate the answer choices to select the one that includes every game piece (or the complete number of game pieces) that could meet the conditions of the question.
Strategy for Loose Sequencing Games
How to Identify: You can identify Loose Sequencing games by looking at the game’s rules. The rules in a Loose Sequencing game will dictate the order of the game pieces in relation to the other game pieces. We will see rules about which game pieces must come before or after other game pieces, but no rules relating the game pieces to the positions on the game board.
Loose Sequencing games are similar to Strict Sequencing games since both involve putting game pieces in order from first to last. Both game types also have a 1:1 ratio of game pieces to positions on the game board and make use of all the game pieces once, without reusing them.
Unlike Strict Sequencing games, in Loose Sequencing games we do not order game pieces in relation to set positions on the game board.
Similar to a Strict Sequencing game, the sketch for a Loose Sequencing game will include a linear sketch with dashes for every position. We will include the game pieces at the top and label each position. The difference is in how we notate the rules. In Loose Sequencing games we will notate the rules as a web of relationships between the game pieces.
The deductions we will make in Loose Sequencing games will be based on where we know game pieces cannot go.
Conditional Statements
Conditional Statements are statements with a trigger and a result that can be written in the form “If A, then B.”
Take, for example, the following conditional statement:
If I study for the LSAT, then I will do well.
Whenever we see a conditional statement like this on the LSAT we want to take stock of what we know, and what we don’t know, based on the statement.
So, what do we know if we study? We will do well.
What do we know if we do well? Hmm…maybe we studied, or maybe we are naturally smart, got lucky, cheated, or some other possibility.
We can’t say for sure. Doing well is not a trigger that leads us to make any further deductions. Instead, it is the result that follows from studying for the LSAT.
We can refer to the triggering statement as the “if condition”, the “trigger”, or the “sufficient condition”.
We can refer to the resulting statement as the “then condition”, the “result”, or the “necessary condition”.
if condition -> then condition
trigger -> result
sufficient condition -> necessary condition
Remember that conditional statements are not always written in “If…, then…” form. They do not have to be written with the first part of the statement as the “if condition” and the second part of the statement as the “then condition”.
Formal Logic
Any time we see conditional statements on the LSAT we will want to translate them into formal logic notation. Formal logic notation is a shorthand equivalence of the conditional statement. We write formal logic notation on the LSAT as a letter to represent our if (trigger) statement, followed by an arrow, followed by our then (result) statement.
The formal logic equivalence for the example conditional statement above would be:
S -> W
The S represents the trigger in the first part of the conditional statement: “If I study for the LSAT”. Meanwhile, the arrow represents “then”, and the W represents the result in the second part of the conditional statement: “I will do well”.
Forming the Contrapositive
Whenever we encounter a conditional statement on the LSAT we always want to extract as much information as possible out of it. Besides notating the equivalent formal logic, we also want to find the statement’s contrapositive. The contrapositive is an additional piece of information that tells us of another valid trigger that brings about another result. The contrapositive is formed by flipping and negating the original formal logic notation.
We move the entities that are on the left side of the arrow to the right side, the entities that are on the right to the left side, and then we negate the entire statement, turning positive statements negative and negative statements positive. If we have an “and” in the statement, it changes to “or”. If there is an “or” in the original statement, in the contrapositive it would change to “and”.
The contrapositive of the formal logic example above would be:
~W -> ~S
The “~” is a negation sign meant to represent “not”. So, the ~W is the trigger in our contrapositive and represents the statement: “If I do not will do well”. Again, the arrow represents “then” and the ~S is the result in our contrapositive and represents the statement: “I did not study”.
Now let’s take stock of what we know, and don’t know, based on the contrapositive.
What if we did not do well? We must not have studied.
Before it would have been difficult to answer this question but now with the contrapositive we can answer this additional question.
What if we don’t study? This is not a trigger for additional information. We cannot read right to left. Maybe we will do well, maybe we won’t. We can’t say for sure.
How “and” and “or” Operate in the Trigger and Result
-“and” in the trigger-
Example: If G and S are out, W is out.
Formal Logic: ~G and ~S -> ~W
Explanation: When “and” is in the trigger we need both things to be true in order to guarantee the result. Both G and S must be out for us to know that W is reduced. If just G or just S are out the result will not be triggered.
-“and” in the result-
Example: If A is in, then B and C are in.
Formal Logic: A -> B and C
Explanation: When “and” is in the result we know that both things in the result will be true if we have the trigger. If we know that A is in, then we can also know that B and C are in.
-“or” in the trigger-
Example: If J or M are in, then H is in.
Formal Logic: J or M -> H
Explanation: When “or is in the trigger we need one of the things to be true in order to guarantee the result. If either J is in or M is in, then we know that H is in.
-“or” in the result-
Example: If W is in, then F or T is in.
Formal Logic: W -> F or T
Explanation: When “or” is in the result we know that one of the two things in the result will be true if we have the trigger. Both can be true but we know at least one will be. If W is in, we know that either F or T are in, and it is possible for them both to be in.
-“If…, then…or…but not both”-
Example: If M is in, then L or S are in, but not both.
Formal Logic: M -> L or S bnb
Explanation: Being in guarantees that either L or S will also be in. Unlike when “but not both” is explicitly stated, we will only have one or the other. We cannot have M, L, and S all in together. Besides, taking the contrapositive, we can also deduce an extra piece of information when we have the “but not both” restriction. We can say that if both conditions in the result occur together, the condition in the trigger must not be true. In the example above if we have L and S we can deduce the we will not have M, therefore we can make the additional formal logic statement:
L and S -> ~M.
Positive to Negative Deductions
Example: If A is in, then B is out.
Formal Logic: A -> ~B
Contrapositive: B -> ~A
Deduction: A and be can not both be in at the same time. Whenever one is in the other gets kicked out. Since they cannot both be in, we know that at least one of them must be out. We can add “A/B” to one as an out slot since we know one out slot must be filled with either A or B. Keep in mind that it is possible for both to be out.
Negative to Positive Deductions
Example: If C is out, then D is in.
Formal Logic: ~C ->D
Contrapositive: ~D -> C
Deduction: S and D can not both be out at the same time. Whenever one it out if forces the other one in. Since they cannot both be out, we know that one of them must be in.
We can add “C/D” to an in slot since we know that one in slot must be filled with either C or D. Keep in mind that it is possible for both to be in.
Note: We cannot make similar deductions for positive to positive or negative to negative conditional statements. With these statements, just be sure to notate the formal logic and the contrapositive.
Strategy for Selection Games
Selection games are those where we must choose or select a smaller group of game pieces out of a list of game pieces. We can recognize selection games by the stimulus’ reference to making a selection or choice. We are going to select some game pieces to be “in” and some game pieces to be “out”.
To create a sketch for Selection games we are going to make a T-chart sketch with the left side of the chart reserved for game pieces that are in and the right side of the chart reserved for game pieces that are out. If it is possible to determine the maximum or minimum number of game pieces that must be in or must be out, we will add solid and dashed lines. Solid lines represent positions that game pieces must occupy and dashed lines represent positions that game pieces could occupy. We must also include the game pieces at the top of our sketch.
The rules in Selection games will be written as conditional statements. We want to translate these rules into shorthand formal logic notations beneath our sketch.
We can always take the contrapositive of any conditional statement that we rewrite as formal logic. This is the first deduction we will want to make for each rule in Selection games. We can continue to make deductions by following the chain of triggers and results and combining these chains where possible. Lastly, when we have positive to negative or negative to positive conditional statements, we can know that at least one of the game pieces from the set will not be selected in the first case and that at least one of the game pieces from the set must be selected in the latter case.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
-Strict Sequencing-
PrepTest 72 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Question 12
PrepTest 70 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-7
-Loose Sequencing-
PrepTest 71 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Setup and Question 1
-Selection-
PrepTest 33 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Setup
Question Types:
Rule Replacement and Completely Determines
Homework:
Please complete the following games in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class:
Strict Sequencing Logic Games
PrepTest 72 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Questions 7 and 9-11 (Setup and questions 8 and 12 completed in class)
Loose Sequencing Logic Games
PrepTest 71 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 2-5 (Setup and question 1 completed in class)
PrepTest 61 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Questions 6-11
PrepTest 62 – Section 1 – Game 4 – Questions 19-23
PrepTest 65 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-5
PrepTest 73 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-7
Selection Games
PrepTest 36 – Section 1 – Game 1 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 45 – Section 1 – Game 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 47 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 48 – Section 1 – Game 1 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 49 – Section 1 – Game 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 58 – Section 1 – Games 2 and 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 70 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
Whiteboard PDFs:
Logic Games: Rule Replacement Questions, Complete List Questions, and Loose Sequencing Games
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C8EnTpTdY1Eyl2lVrU0-kXKlLUW4tFOn/view?usp=sharing
Logic Games: Selection Games
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rKkT4aYjTfi7zYJEZrCMEdKNFZAsWRoq/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iNScVd1LkPhrGpf2gaVxZFV2nxEbCEts/view?usp=sharing
Logic Games: Selection Games Questions & Logical Reasoning: Method of Argument, Parallel Reasoning, Sufficient Assumption, Necessary Assumption, and Strengthen Questions | Sunday, July 25th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
Strategy for Method of Argument Questions
Method of Argument questions ask us to identify how the author argues their point.
How to Recognize: “In the argument,…”, “The argument proceeds by…”, “Which is a technique of reasoning used…”
Strategy: Identify the argument’s evidence, background information, and conclusion. Restate the argument’s method of reasoning in your prediction. Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices.
Process:
1) Identify the parts of the argument (evidence, background information, and conclusion)
2) Restate the argument’s method of reasoning in your prediction
3) Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices
Incorrect answers will incorrectly characterize part or all of the author’s argument.
Strategy for Parallel Reasoning Questions
Parallel Reasoning questions ask us to identify the reasoning behind an author’s argument and select an argument in the answer choices that uses the same kind of reasoning.
How to Recognize: “Which of the following arguments is most similar/closely parallel in its reasoning to the argument above?”
Strategy: Identify the argument’s evidence, background information, and conclusion.
Restate the argument’s reasoning structure in your prediction. Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices. Be sure to select an answer choice that contains an argument with the same kind of conclusion that the original argument has.
Process:
1) Identify the parts of the argument (evidence, background information, and conclusion)
2) Restate the argument’s reasoning structure in your prediction
3) Use your prediction to evaluate the question’s answer choices and identify the argument in the answer choices that has the same reasoning structure
Incorrect answers will contain arguments that use reasoning that differs from the original argument in part or entirely.
Assumptions in Logical Reasoning Arguments
Assumption: a missing piece of evidence that is not stated in the author’s argument.
In Assumption questions there is a gap between the argument’s evidence and the argument’s conclusion. The assumption is a statement that fills the gap. We can think of the assumption the missing link that connects the stated evidence to the stated conclusion.
To find the argument’s assumption we must first identify its evidence and conclusion. Then we think about what the gap between the two is and what piece of additional evidence could bridge that gap. The additional piece of evidence is the argument’s assumption.
Sufficient vs. Necessary Assumptions
The LSAT will test your understanding on the difference between sufficient and necessary assumptions.
In conditional statements and formal logic, the sufficient condition is the trigger that is good enough to guarantee the result or conclusion. The same is true for sufficient assumptions. These assumptions are good enough to guarantee the argument’s conclusion. However, the sufficient assumption does not have to be true for the conclusion to be true.
Meanwhile, the necessary assumption is something that the argument depends on. It does not guarantee the conclusion but it is required for the conclusion to have a chance at being true. Without the necessary assumption the argument’s conclusion is going to be false.
Consider the argument below:
Tom does not like baseball. Therefore, he must like football.
E: Tom does not like baseball
A:
C: Tom likes football.
Sufficient Assumption: Anyone who does not like baseball likes football.
Necessary Assumption: Tom likes some kinds of sports.
Sufficient Assumption Questions
A Sufficient Assumption question asks us to identify an assumption that is enough to guarantee the argument’s conclusion.
How to Recognize: “The main conclusion… properly inferred/properly drawn/follows logically… assumed?”
Strategy:
1) Identify the argument’s evidence and conclusion.
2) Think about the gap between the evidence and conclusion.
3) Make a prediction about what additional piece of evidence could bridge the gap.
4) Select the answer choice that matches your prediction.
The correct answer choice, together with the evidence stated in the argument, guarantees the argument’s conclusion.
Incorrect answers will either be something that is unrelated, something that has no effect on the argument, or a necessary assumption: an assumption that the argument’s conclusion depends on but is not sufficient to guarantee the conclusion.
Necessary Assumption Questions
Necessary Assumption question ask us to identify an assumption that the argument’s conclusion depends on.
How to Recognize: “assumption”, “requires”, “relies”, “depends”
Strategy:
1) Identify the evidence and conclusion in the argument.
2) Think about the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.
3) Make a prediction about what the assumption is (if possible).
4) Select the answer choice that matches your prediction. Run the Denial Test to verify.
The Denial Test can help us to verify an answer we have selected or help us to eliminate answer choices when we are not sure which is correct. The Denial Test involves negating all of the answer choices and determining which negated answer choice destroys any chance of the argument’s conclusion being true. If the negated answer choice does not make the argument’s conclusion impossible, then it is not the correct answer. Select the answer choice that, once negated, would make the argument’s conclusion invalid.
Strengthen Questions
Strengthen questions ask us to select an answer choice that would make the argument’s conclusion more likely.
How to Recognize: “most strengthens”, “most strongly supports the author”
Strategy:
1) Identify the evidence and conclusion in the argument.
2) Think about the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.
3) Make a prediction about what the assumption is and how it could be filled in to make the argument’s conclusion more likely.
4) Select the answer choice that matches your prediction.
Incorrect answers will either be something that is unrelated, has no effect on the argument, or weakens the argument’s conclusion by making it less likely.
Strengthen EXCEPT Questions: Incorrect answers will strengthen the argument by making the conclusion more likely. The correct answer will either be something that is unrelated, has no effect on the argument, or weakens the argument by making the conclusion less likely.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
-Selection Games Questions-
PrepTest 33 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Questions 6-12
-Method of Argument Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 23
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 4
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 8
-Parallel Reasoning Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 10
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 19
-Sufficient Assumption Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 25
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 13
-Necessary Assumption Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Questions 4
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 8
-Strengthen Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 13
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 23
Question Types:
Method of Argument, Parallel Reasoning, Sufficient Assumption, Necessary Assumption, and Strengthen Questions
Homework:
Please complete the following games in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class:
Method of Argument Questions
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 26
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Questions 2 and 9
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Questions 14 and 16
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 4
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Questions 14 and 17
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Question 4
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 11
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Question 8
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Question 17
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Questions 3 and 5
Parallel Reasoning Questions
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 17
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 14
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 24
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Question 26
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Question 23
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Question 17
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 21
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Question 19
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 19
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Question 25
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 9
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Question 22
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 23
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Question 23
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Question 13
Sufficient Assumption Questions
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 21
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 7
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 22
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 1
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Questions 11 and 14
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Question 8
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Questions 10 and 12
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 24
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Questions 12 and 20
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 16
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Question 23
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 15
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 10 and 22
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Questions 1 and 14
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Questions 9 and 15
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Questions 20 and 24
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Questions 10 and 20
Necessary Assumption Questions
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Questions 7 and 19
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Questions 13 and 21
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Questions 6, 10, 20, and 25
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Questions 16 and 22
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 19
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Questions 12, 15, and 21
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Questions 4 and 18
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Questions 1, 8, and 20
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Questions 13, 19, and 26
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Question 8
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Questions 4 and 6
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Questions 1 and 3
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Questions 2, 17, 19, 23, and 25
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 5, 18, and 24
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Questions 12, 16, 18, 20, and 24
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Questions 3, 6, and 24
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 26
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Questions 2, 14, 19, and 24
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Question 12
Strengthen Questions
PrepTest 66 – Section 2 – Question 3
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 3
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 4
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Questions 6 and 12
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 25
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Questions 3, 7, and 25
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Questions 6, 8, and 12
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Question 22
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 20
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Questions 2, 4, 6, and 17
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Questions 3 and 26
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Questions 9, 15, and 21
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Questions 6 and 21
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 7 and 25
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Question 8
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Questions 1, 2, and 7
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 4
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Question 12
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Questions 2 and 21
Whiteboard PDFs:
Logic Games: Selection Games Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16yCUJm41WXtBKIL42MPMw3ll48f4uNx0/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Method of Argument and Parallel Reasoning Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19jsSBGw8vgKuJKdP5zirMueCaw25x8jd/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Sufficient and Necessary Assumption Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s79b3NH1cml-VxQWE9tfzJjPro2r1T95/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Strengthen Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18WF1v3nXEDQmpRH3_xI0g_YdelM-2aDb/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Zq2wH9mlNVH0PqOEwQdTynfRNXgLYn0/view?usp=sharing
Logic Games: Distribution Games and Matching Games | Saturday, July 31st 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
Strategy for Distribution Games
-Stimulus-
Distribution games ask us to distribute game pieces into different groups. We can recognize Distribution games by the stimulus referring to placing game pieces in two or more groups. In Distribution games we use all of the game pieces – by placing them into one of the various groups – once and do not reuse them.
-Sketch-
To create a sketch for Distribution games we are going to make a T-chart sketch with as many columns as we have groups. Be sure to label each group at the top of the chart and include the game pieces above the chart. If it is possible to determine the maximum or minimum number of game pieces that must be in any group, we will add solid and dashed lines. Solid lines represent positions that game pieces must occupy and dashed lines represent positions that game pieces could occupy. We will make similar sketches for all other Distribution games.
-Rules-
The rules in Distribution games will be written as conditional statements. We want to translate these rules into shorthand formal logic notations beneath our sketch or directly into the sketch if it is possible to do so.
-Deductions-
We can always take the contrapositive of any conditional statement that we rewrite as formal logic. This is the first deduction we will want to make for each rule in Distribution games. We can continue to make deductions by following the chain of triggers and results and combining these chains where possible. Lastly, when we have positive to negative or negative to positive conditional statements in a game with only two groups, we can think about what set of game pieces must contain one of which that must be included in a particular group. Number deductions are also possible when thinking about the maximum and minimum possibilities for each group we are distributing into.
Strategy for Matching Games
-Stimulus-
Matching games ask us to match one set of game pieces to another set of game pieces. We can recognize Matching games by the stimulus having two sets of game pieces and asking us to determine which game pieces match with each other. In Matching games we don’t always have to use all of the game pieces and we can also reuse them.
-Sketch-
To create a sketch for Matching games we are going to select one set of game pieces to serve as our game board. These game pieces will be static and leave us with only one set of game pieces to place. The other set of game pieces will be able to be reused multiple times and can be matched to more than one position on the game board. As always, we will list the game pieces at the top of our sketch. We will make similar sketches for all other Matching games.
-Rules-
The rules in Matching games will dictate how one set of game pieces can and cannot be matched to the other set of game pieces.
-Deductions-
We can continue to make deductions by thinking about what must be true and false about game pieces, combining rules, and keeping number restrictions in mind.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
-Distribution Games-
PrepTest 76 – Section 1 – Game 4 – Questions 19-23
PrepTest 72 – Section 1 – Game 3 – Setup
-Matching Games-
PrepTest 75 – Section 1 – Game 1 – Questions 1-6
PrepTest 63 – Section 1 – Game 4 – Setup
Game Types:
Distribution and Matching
Homework:
Please complete the following games in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class:
Distribution Games
PrepTest 69 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 69 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 71 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 72 – Section 1 – Game 3 – All Related Questions (Setup completed in class)
PrepTest 73 – Section 1 – Game 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 75 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
Matching Games
PrepTest 63 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questions (Setup completed in class)
PrepTest 62 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
Whiteboard PDFs:
Logic Games: Distribution and Matching Games
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ezhruP0L-5nSnhyyj_Q9BoBR3LgCqv8g/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1khn9qFu7yNTWRsTQp_8NV5XaHIrNLTiS/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Weaken, Flaw, Parallel Flaw, and Inference Questions | Sunday, August 1st 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
Weaken Questions
Weaken questions ask us to select an answer choice that makes the argument’s conclusion less likely.
How to Recognize: “most weakens”, “calls into question”, “undermines”
Strategy:
1) Identify the evidence and conclusion in the argument.
2) Think about the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.
3) Make a prediction about what the assumption is and how it could be pointed out to make the argument’s conclusion less likely.
4) Select the answer choice that matches your prediction.
Incorrect answers will either be something that is unrelated, has no effect on the argument, or strengthens the argument by making the conclusion more likely.
Weaken EXCEPT Questions: Incorrect answers will weaken the argument by making the conclusion less likely. The correct answer will either be something that is unrelated, has no effect on the argument, or strengthens the argument by making the conclusion more likely.
Flaws in Logical Reasoning Arguments
Flaw: a restatement of the author’s assumption in the critical sense.
A flawed argument is one in which the stated evidence is not good enough to support the stated conclusion. When asked about flaws on the LSAT, we want to be able to characterize the faulty reasoning that the argument’s author makes in broad, generalized terms.
Common Flaw Types
Overlooked Possibilities – the author assumes that there is no other explanation for some phenomenon than the one he supports.
Correlation vs. Causation – the author assumes that because two things occur together that one thing causes another.
Necessity vs. Sufficiency – the author confuses something that is necessary for something that is sufficient or vice versa.
Bad Analogy – the author compares two things, assuming that they are similar, when in fact they are not.
Representativeness – when the author bases a general conclusion on more specific evidence.
Equivocation – the author uses two different meanings of the same term as if they are interchangeable.
Part vs. Whole – the author asserts that the whole of something has some characteristic that one or some of its parts has.
Circular Reasoning – the author assumes their conclusion to be true and fails to provide evidence that supports it.
Evidence Contracts Conclusion – the author provides evidence that is counter to the stated conclusion.
Number vs. Percent – the author draws a faulty conclusion using percentage related evidence to draw a number related conclusion.
Possibility vs. Guarantee – the author mistakenly argues that since it is possible for something to happen it will happen.
Ad Hominem – the author criticizes some aspect of the person making an argument rather than the argument itself.
Absence of Evidence is Evidence of Absence – the author argues that a lack of proof is enough to guarantee something is false.
Strategy for Flaw Questions
Flaw questions ask us to identify the author’s mistake in reasoning.
How to Recognize: “strongest objection”, “vulnerable to criticism”, “is flawed in that”
Strategy:
1) Identify the argument’s evidence and conclusion.
2) Think about the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.
3) Make a prediction about what the assumption is and how it could be stated as an error in reasoning. Try to describe it in general terms.
4) Select the answer choice that matches your prediction.
The correct answer choice will identify the mistake in reasoning. Incorrect answer choices will incorrectly characterize the flaw that the author makes in the argument.
Strategy for Parallel Flaw Questions
Parallel Flaw questions ask us to identify an argument in the answer choices that contains the same kind of flawed reasoning that appears in the stimulus.
How to Recognize: “flawed pattern of reasoning in…following arguments…resembles/exhibits/demonstrates the flawed reasoning above”
Strategy:
1) Identify the argument’s evidence and conclusion.
2) Think about the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.
3) Make a prediction about what kind of flaw the argument contains.
4) Select the answer choice that contains the same kind of flawed reasoning.
Incorrect answers will either be arguments that do not contain a flaw or arguments that contain flawed reasoning that differs from the flawed reasoning in the argument in the stimulus.
Look to match the conclusion type, formal logic, and flaw type of the stimulus in the correct answer choice.
Strategy for Inference Questions
Inference questions that ask us to infer or deduce what must be true given the information stated in the stimulus.
How to Recognize: “The statements above…most strongly support…”
Strategy:
1) Identify the statements that are made in the stimulus.
2) Make a prediction about what can be inferred or deduced from the statements.
3) Select an answer choice that matches your prediction and can be said to be true based on the statements in the stimulus.
Incorrect answers will identify something that cannot be inferred from the statements within the stimulus.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
-Weaken Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Questions 17 and 22
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 21
-Flaw Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 3
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 20
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 24
-Parallel Flaw Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 14
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 10
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 23
-Inference Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Questions 10
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Questions 12
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Questions 21
Question Types:
Weaken, Flaw, Parallel Flaw, and Inference Questions
Homework:
Please complete the following questions in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class:
Weaken Questions
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Questions 7 and 19
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 16
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Questions 12 and 19
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 13
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Questions 2 and 10
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Question 2
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Question 9 and 19
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Questions 1 and 17
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Question 23
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 24
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Questions 5 and 11
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Questions 13 and 22
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 9 and 12
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Questions 21 and 23
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Question 4
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Questions 11 and 19
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Question 10 and 15
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Question 26
Flaw Questions
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Questions 3, 11, 16, 18, and 22
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Questions 2, 9, 15, and 20
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Questions 3, 9, and 11
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Questions 3, 18, 21, and 24
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Questions 1, 7, 18, and 20
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Questions 5, 14, 16, 18, and 20
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Questions 7, 11, 14, and 22
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Questions 3, 5, 7, 13, 15, and 18
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Questions 3, 10, and 25
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Questions 5, 16, 18, and 25
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Questions 8, 15, 18, 20, and 22
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Questions 7, 12, 18, and 24
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Questions 7, 10, 16, and 18
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 1, 4, 16, and 19
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Questions 5, 13, and 15
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Questions 14, 18, and 22
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Questions 6, 9, and 12
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Questions 7, 9, and 22
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Questions 1, 5, and 15
Parallel Flaw Questions
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 14
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 23
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 15
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Question 22
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Question 25
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 18
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 25
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Question 22
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 14
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Question 21
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Question 6
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Question 5
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 25
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Question 21
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Question 25
Inference Questions
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Questions 2
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Questions 9 and 20
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Questions 8, 22, and 24
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Questions 2, 14, 18, and 21
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Questions 8, 15, and 17
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Questions 10, 17, and 23
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Questions 17 and 24
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Questions 20 and 24
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Questions 21 and 23
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Questions 8, 12, 14, and 16
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Questions 11, 22, and 24
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Questions 1, 11, 13, and 23
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Questions 13, 17, and 20
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Questions 4 and 24
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 13 and 17
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Questions 17 and 19
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Questions 23 and 25
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Questions 10, 13, 15, and 18
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Questions 11 and 13
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Questions 7, 22, and 24
Whiteboard PDFs:
Logical Reasoning: Weaken Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LaM92oS6KgX97Hu0cdXbU5jg8hNTXcEy/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Flaw and Parallel Flaw Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nQsrAFMZMZZifKArfmz7gsNplgEoaOi1/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Inference Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17mmlUpDbPddk8f02v8KVx7-WDPCsZyd9/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14S_-N1B5DzI6EEieuDysn1uL-9ezFdE-/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Strengthen Principle, Principle Application, Principle Identification, and Paradox Questions & Reading Comprehension: Logical Function and Logical Reasoning Questions | Saturday, August 7st 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
Strategy for Strengthen Principle Questions
Strengthen/Principle questions ask us to identify a principle that would strengthen the argument’s conclusion.
How to Recognize: “principles…justify”
Strategy:
1) Identify the argument’s evidence and conclusion.
2) Think about the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.
3) Make a prediction about what the assumption is and how it could be filled in to make theargument’s conclusion more likely.
4) Select the answer choice that contains a principle that would fill in the assumption and make the argument’s conclusion more likely.
Incorrect answers will either be an unrelated principle, a principle that has no effect on the argument, or a principle that weakens the argument’s conclusion by making it less likely.
Strategy for Principle Application Questions
Principle Application questions ask us to apply the broad statement or generalization in the stimulus to a specific situation in the answer choices.
How to Recognize: “conforms to the principle stated above”
Strategy:
1) Identify the elements of the principle stated in the stimulus.
2) Make a prediction about what the elements that the specific example in the answer choice has to contain.
3) Select an answer choice that matches your prediction and is a specific application of the principle in the stimulus, containing all of the relevant elements.
Incorrect answers will either incorrectly apply the principle stated in the stimulus or will only apply some of the elements of the principle.
Strategy for Principle Identification Questions
Principle Identification questions ask us to identify what underlying generalization we can derive from the specific case in the stimulus.
How to Recognize: “conforms most closely to which of the following principles”
Strategy:
1) Identify the elements within the specific case in the stimulus.
2) Make a prediction about what generalization can be derived from the specific case in the stimulus.
3) Select an answer choice that matches your prediction and contains all of the elements that the specific case in the stimulus contains.
Incorrect answers will either incorrectly identify the underlying principle in the stimulus or will fail to identify some elements in the specific case.
Strategy for Paradox Questions
Paradox questions ask us to identify something that resolves an apparent discrepancy in the stimulus.
How to Recognize: “helps to explain”, “resolve the apparent discrepancy”
Strategy:
1) Identify the contradicting statements in the stimulus.
2) Make a prediction about what could explain away the contradiction and resolve the discrepancy.
3) Select the answer choice that matches your description and resolves the contradictory statements in the stimulus.
Incorrect answers will not resolve the statements in the stimulus that are at odds with one another.
Reading Comprehension:
Strategy for Logical Function Questions
Logical Function questions ask about the function that a part of the passage plays for the passage as a whole.
How to Identify: “the function of the phrase”
Strategy: Research the relevant text and make a prediction about what the author uses the relevant text to do for the passage or paragraph as a whole. Select the answer choice that matches the prediction.
Strategy for Logical Reasoning Questions
Logical Reasoning questions ask us to apply the same strategy that we use within the Logical Reasoning section for the question type that it mimics.
How to Identify: Questions will resemble the question stem from the Logical Reasoning question types. e.g. “most analogous” for Parallel Reasoning questions and “strengthens” for Strengthen questions.
Strategy: Apply the same strategy used for the question type within the Logical Reasoning section.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
-Strengthen Principle Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 6
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 23
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 1
-Principle Application Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 6
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 25
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 22
-Principle Identification Questions-
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 14
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 13
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 7
–Paradox Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 15
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 5
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 5
Question Types:
Strengthen Principle, Principle Application, Principle Identification, and Paradox Questions
-Reading Comprehension-
PrepTest 69 – Section 4 – Passage 2 – Questions 8, 11, 12, and 14
Question Types:
Logical Function and Logical Reasoning Questions
Homework:
Please complete the following questions in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class:
Strengthen Principle Questions
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Question 15
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Questions 6 and 9
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Questions 1 and 6
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Questions 13 and 21
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Question 6
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 2
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 5
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Questions 2 and 10
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 3
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 6 and 23
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Questions 8 and 16
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 1
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Questions 1 and 18
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Question 6
Principle Application Questions
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Question 19
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Question 4
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 23
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Question 10
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 12
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 14 and 26
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Question 11
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Questions 12 and 21
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 17
Principle Identification Questions
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Questions 3 and 7
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 21
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Questions 2 and 9
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Questions 15 and 24
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Question 11
Paradox Questions
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Questions 21
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 12
PrepTest 70 – Section 3 – Questions 7 and 13
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 20
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Questions 3 and 26
PrepTest 72 – Section 2 – Questions 9 and 11
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Questions 1 and 5
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Questions 2 and 24
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Questions 15 and 22
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Questions 9 and 15
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Questions 9 and 12
PrepTest 75 – Section 2 – Questions 6 and 19
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 5
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 11 and 20
PrepTest 76 – Section 3 – Questions 3 and 25
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Questions 1 and 19
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Questions 3
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Question 17
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Questions 9 and 16
Reading Comprehension
PrepTest 69 – Section 4 – Passage 2 – Questions 9, 10, and 13 (Passage Read in Class)
PrepTest 75 – Section 4 – Passages 1, 2, and 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 76 – Section 4 – Passages 1, 2, and 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 77 – Section 4 – Passages 1, 2, and 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 78 – Section 4 – Passages 2, 3, and 4 – All Related Questions
Whiteboard PDFs:
Logical Reasoning: Strengthen Principle, Principle Identification, Principle Application, and Paradox Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KxzZqnb75fCqadsHnt7dymvXsEYTQJ2h/view?usp=sharing
Reading Comprehension: Logical Function and Logical Reasoning Questions
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T0mY8A5ttRSm2GzqVcVRLXFn1h2PU3EF/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ME2_6vwk5YR183pPQ1KFWvhjiY7JoNN7/view?usp=sharing
Reading Comprehension: Comparative Passages Strategy & Logic Games: Hybrid Games | Sunday, August 8th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Class Notes:
Strategy for Comparison Passages
When evaluating Comparative Passages in the Reading Comprehension section, we add an extra step between Step 2 and Step 3 in the Reading Comprehension Strategy. After reading and mapping the passage and thinking about the Topic, Scope, Purpose, and Main Idea for both passages, and before reading and identifying the first question stem, take some time to compare the two passages. Think about the similarities and differences between the two passages’ Topic, Scope, Purpose, and Main Idea. Also, think about what the authors of the two passages might agree and disagree about.
Strategy for Hybrid Games
-Stimulus-
Hybrid game are a combination of two or more game types. We can recognize Hybrid games by their asking us to perform more than one of the following actions: sequencing, selecting, distributing, and matching. Whether or not we use all of the game pieces once and reuse them is going to depend on what combination of game types the Hybrid game is made up of.
-Sketch-
To create a sketch for Hybrid games we are going to make use of the traditional sketch types that we use for the types of games the Hybrid
game is made up of. If the Hybrid game involves sequencing and selection, for example, we will have use the traditional horizontal dashes game board from sequencing games together with the traditional “out” section from selection games. Sketches for Hybrid games are dependent on which combination of game types they are made up of.
-Rules-
The rules in Hybrid games will be a mix of those traditionally used in the game types of which they are made up of. Like other game types, we will strive to include the rules directly in the sketch whenever possible.
-Deductions-
Deductions in Hybrid games will be a mix of those traditionally used in the game types of which they are made up of. Remember to look for spots on the game board where certain game pieces cannot or must go, two or more rules that involve the same game pieces, blocks of game pieces, and number restrictions.
If the rules involve conditional statements we can always take the contrapositive of the formal logic as our first deduction. Later we can follow the chain of formal logic, looking for results that are triggers for more results, for additional deductions. Lastly, when we have positive to negative or negative to positive conditional statements in a game with only two groups, we can say that one game piece must be in or one game piece must be out respectively.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
-Reading Comprehension-
PrepTest 69 – Section 4 – Passage 3 – Read and Mapped Passage
Question Type:
Comparative Passages
-Hybrid Games-
PrepTest 77 – Section 1 – Game 2 – Questions 6-12
PrepTest 77 – Section 1 – Game 4 – Setup
Game Types:
Hybrid Games
Homework:
Please complete the following questions in order to practice applying the strategies that we learned in class:
Reading Comprehension Passages
PrepTest 69 – Section 4 – Passage 3 – All Related Questions (Read and Mapped Passage in Class)
PrepTest 70 – Section 4 – Passage 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 71 – Section 4 – Passage 2 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 72 – Section 4 – Passage 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 73 – Section 4 – Passage 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 74 – Section 4 – Passage 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 75 – Section 4 – Passage 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 76 – Section 4 – Passage 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 77 – Section 4 – Passage 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 78 – Section 4 – Passage 1 – All Related Questions
Hybrid Games
PrepTest 70 – Section 1 – Game 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 70 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 71 – Section 1 – Game 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 72 – Section 1 – Game 1 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 73 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 73 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 74 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 74 – Section 1 – Game 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 74 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 75 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 76 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 77 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questionst (Setup Completed in Class)
PrepTest 78 – Section 1 – Game 1 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 78 – Section 1 – Game 2 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 78 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questions
Whiteboard PDFs:
Reading Comprehension: Comparative Passages
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11j2OWodwPnr0V_mTzhmN2M_1SlHFvnxz/view?usp=sharing
Logic Games: Hybrid Games
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ANQCc_C-hLNR3Wrdo_zQ29FjeKarf8wK/view?usp=sharing
Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mWZcEyD2_MelvSPUYljyqWwDp_-CevjK/view?usp=sharing
Strategy for Rare Question Types on the LSAT | Logic Games: Process Games & Logical Reasoning: Logically Completes Questions, Useful to Know Questions, and Strongest Counter Questions
Recordings:
Logic Games: Process Games:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ViFII73qcVUe9pI2aXKQhJOA9ePD8Xhh/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Logically Completes:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OYxI8arMc9WF_weGI5ikunXdX_y7SX9U/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Useful to Know:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UX6qAAkJrEq8HoBg9QxOiRSCFGnv-h8S/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Strongest Counter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RrJ9PFC0k8y5-w4wdQ1dx_s-5psJwbhQ/view?usp=sharing
Notes:
Strategy for Process Games
Process games are a rare and sometimes difficult Logic Game type. These games ask us to carry out some kind of process with the game pieces. The sketch for Process games is going to vary depending on the kind of process the game asks you to complete. Keep in mind that we want the sketch to be a visual representation of the game’s scenario that is laid out in the game’s stimulus. The rules in Process games will also vary depending on the kind of process the game asks you to complete. Remember to notate your rules in a clear and concise manner and include them in your sketch whenever possible. Deductions can stem from a combination of rules, blocks of game pieces, number deductions, or formal logic. Be sure to pick up the Acceptability question if you see a Process game on Test Day and look at how the test formats the acceptability question if you are stuck on how to set up the game. Sometimes this setup can help you to determine how to best set up the game’s sketch.
Strategy for Useful to Know Questions
Useful to Know questions ask us to identify something that would be useful to know in evaluating the argument.
How to Recognize: Look for “useful to know” in the question stem.
Strategy:
1) Identify the argument’s evidence and conclusion.
2) Make a prediction about what information is missing from the stimulus that would be useful in evaluating the validity of the argument.
3) Select the answer choice that matches your prediction, the answer to which would help to evaluate whether the conclusion is less or more likely.
Incorrect answers will posit a question whose answer would be irrelevant in evaluating the argument’s conclusion.
Strategy for Logically Completes Questions
Logically Completes questions ask us how we could logically complete the argument in the stimulus.
How to Recognize: Look for “logically completes” in the question stem.
Strategy:
1) Identify the statements included in the stimulus.
2) Make a prediction about what could logically complete the stimulus.
3) Select the answer choice that matches your prediction.
Incorrect answers will stray from the statements given in the stimulus and will not logically connect to them.
Strategy for Strongest Counter Questions
Strongest Counter questions ask us to identify a counter argument to an argument in the stimulus.
How to Recognize: Look for “strongest counter” in the question stem.
Strategy:
1) Identify the evidence and conclusion in the argument in the stimulus.
2) Make a prediction about the assumption in the stimulus.
3) Think about the assumption as a flaw.
4) Make a prediction of a counter argument that highlights the argument’s flaw.
5) Select the answer choice that matches your prediction.
Incorrect answers will either be irrelevant to the argument or will not present a counter to the argument.
Test Content Covered:
PrepTest Questions:
Logic Games
-Process Games-
PrepTest 80 – Section 1 – Game 4 – Questions 19-23
Question Types:
Process Games
Logical Reasoning
-Logically Completes Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 16
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 1
PrepTest 71 – Section 2 – Question 4
-Useful to Know-
PrepTest 69 – Section 2 – Question 5
PrepTest 73 – Section 3 – Question 6
PrepTest 70 – Section 2 – Question 11
-Strongest Counter Questions-
PrepTest 69 – Section 3 – Question 15
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 22
Question Types:
Logically Completes, Useful to Know, and Strongest Counter Questions
Homework:
Please complete the following questions in order to practice applying the strategies from the recordings:
Process Games
PrepTest 72 – Section 1 – Game 4 – Questions 19-21
PrepTest 77 – Section 1 – Game 3 – All Related Questions
PrepTest 79 – Section 1 – Game 4 – All Related Questions
Logically Completes Questions
PrepTest 71 – Section 3 – Question 5
PrepTest 72 – Section 3 – Question 16
PrepTest 73 – Section 2 – Question 25
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Question 1
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 7
PrepTest 75 – Section 3 – Question 1
PrepTest 76 – Section 2 – Questions 2 and 15
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Question 13
PrepTest 77 – Section 3 – Question 5
PrepTest 78 – Section 2 – Questions 8 and 16
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Question 3
Useful to Know Questions
PrepTest 74 – Section 2 – Question 21
PrepTest 74 – Section 3 – Question 10
PrepTest 77 – Section 2 – Question 10
PrepTest 78 – Section 3 – Questions 8 and 23
Strongest Counter Questions
PrepTest 60 – Section 2 – Question 6
PrepTest 64 – Section 2 – Question 4
PrepTest 66 – Section 3 – Question 6
Whiteboard PDFs:
Logic Games: Process Games:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Brh_EzeOzqtzeeULCNEe55cSJLFxpHkd/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Logically Completes:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15xncpN-Qu9nXs8YbNMGgLV-hNB6q4Fmw/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Useful to Know:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eCkAot9XQs7zUdd4NIXIBNykRXrVgJKt/view?usp=sharing
Logical Reasoning: Strongest Counter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IxZu0jylxlA5aXPgaY0mpU_jZOdcvI8v/view?usp=sharing
Post-Course Study Process and One-on-One Tutoring Information
Congratulations again on completing your LSAT Prep Course with LSAT Ally! You have put in a lot of time and effort in learning the strategies for mastering the LSAT. Now it’s time to put those strategies to work on Official LSAT PrepTests!
The study process going forward is very repetitive but repetition is the best way to master the strategies for the LSAT. The process involves taking PrepTests, reviewing questions you have gotten incorrect, and drilling the question types that you are having the most difficulty with on your PrepTests. The PrepTests you take should simulate test day as close as possible so do your best to take the PrepTests under the same timed conditions you will have on test day: four 35-minute sections with a ten-minute break between the second and third section. Don’t worry if you are not able to answer all of the questions within the given time limits at this point as that is to be expected. Be sure to flag any questions you don’t have time to evaluate. After you have completed the test under the timed conditions you can go back to evaluate the questions you flagged without time constraints.
The Post-Course Study Process is outlined below. This is a rigorous process but if you put in the time your effort will be reflected in your score. In following the Post-Course Study Process, start by taking PrepTest 79 and work your way through the PrepTests, one by one, until you complete PrepTest 88. (You should have already completed PrepTest 89 as a diagnostic test before the course.) If you complete PrepTests 79 through 88 and are looking for additional PrepTests to take, I would recommend moving on to PrepTests 59 through 68. (We covered a lot of content from PrepTests 69 through 78 in class and for homework so it is best to avoid using these PrepTests as full-length practice tests since your familiarity with the material prevents it from being an accurate simulation of Test Day.) After you complete a PrepTest through LawHub (the Official LSAT Prep Plus application), please notify me via email and I will review your completed PrepTest and provide you with feedback and questions to complete in order to practice any areas where improvement can be made.
Post-Course Study Process
Step 1) Take a PrepTest (starting with PrepTest 79 and working your way through PrepTest 88)
Step 2) Review the questions you got incorrect
Step 3) Drill assigned questions types
Repeat Steps 1-3
After taking and reviewing some PrepTests, you may identify a question type that you have difficulty with and would like help in overcoming. The best way to overcome the question types that are holding you back is with one-on-one tutoring. Remember that one hour of one-on-one tutoring is included in your LSAT Prep Course. You can schedule your included hour of tutoring through this link: https://www.lsatally.com/tutoring/#booksession. Be sure to use the coupon code: COMPSTDNT at checkout to zero out the cost. If you would like to review specific questions during the tutoring session please put the PrepTest, Section, and Question numbers in the Notes section when booking the session.
Please let me know if you have any questions during this study process. I am always happy to help.
LSAT Writing Section
Throughout the LSAT Prep Course we covered the strategies related to the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT. In addition to the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT, you will also need to complete the LSAT Writing section in order to apply to law school.
The LSAT Writing section is unscored (and much less significant than the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT) but of course you still want to do your best in completing this section of the test. The writing section is administered on-demand and proctored remotely. You will be able to complete the writing section up to eight days before taking your multiple-choice portion of the LSAT test or anytime after you take the multiple-choice portion of the test. Be aware, though, that your score from the multiple-choice section of the test will not be released to you until you have completed the writing section. So, don’t wait too long after taking the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT to complete the writing section. My advice is to complete the writing section in the week after you complete the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT. That way it won’t distract you from your preparation for the multiple-choice portion of the test and also won’t hold up your score from being released.
In preparing to complete the LSAT Writing section, I encourage you to practice completing an official LSAT Writing that was administered in the past. You can do so by completing the Writing Sample Practice Prompt at the bottom of LawHub (located below PrepTest 92+).
In order to simulate the actual circumstances you will be under when completing the LSAT Writing section, you should give yourself 35 minutes to read and respond to the LSAT Writing prompt. Keep in mind that you can support either position (no position is correct or incorrect). Just be sure to pick a side and demonstrate that you can use the stated pieces of evidence to back up your position.
If you would like more practice after completing the Writing Sample Practice Prompt in LawHub, you can complete the past official writing section from the June 2007 LSAT here: https://www.lsac.org/sites/
The writing section will probably not have a very significant effect on your acceptance to law schools nor the scholarship offers you receive. If anything, it will be reviewed if you are on the bubble of acceptance. In that case, a poorly written essay would probably result in your application being waitlisted or denied. So long as you take a position, support your position with the facts, and don’t make egregious spelling and grammatical errors, your writing section will have a positive, or at least neutral, affect on your law school application.
For more information on the Writing Section of the LSAT, please see LSAC’s website here: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/
Live Online LSAT Prep Course
Online
June 26, 2021
August 7, 2021
Sat, Sun
9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Course Details
Date
Time
Session Topic
Saturday, June 26, 2021
9:00 am – 10:30 pm EST
The Journey to Law School
Featuring: Professor Brenda Saunders of Seton Hall Law School
Sunday, June 27, 2021
9:00 am – 10:30 pm EST
Introduction to the LSAT Prep Course
Saturday, July 3, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Logic Games: Strategy, Question Types, Strict Sequencing Games
Sunday, July 4, 2021
Holiday – No Class
Holiday – No Class
Saturday, July 10, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Logical Reasoning: Strategy, Main Point Questions, Role of a Statement Questions, Point at Issue Questions
Sunday, July 11, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Reading Comprehension: Strategy, Global Questions, Inference Questions, and Detail Questoins
Saturday, July 17, 2021
No Class
No Class
Sunday, July 18, 2021
No Class
No Class
Saturday, July 24, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Logic Games: Loose Sequencing and Selection Games
Sunday, July 25, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Logical Reasoning: Method of Argument Questions, Parallel Reasoning Questions, Sufficient Assumption Questions, Necessary Assumption Questions and Strengthen Questions
Saturday, July 31, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Logic Games: Distribution Games and Matching Games
Sunday, August 1, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Logical Reasoning: Weaken Questions, Flaw Questions, Parallel Flaw Questions, and Inference Questions
Saturday, August 7, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Logical Reasoning: Strengthen Principle Questions, Principle Application Questions, Principle Identification Questions, and Paradox Questions
Reading Comprehension: Logical Function Questions and Logical Reasoning Questions
Sunday, August 8, 2021
9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Reading Comprehension: Comparative Passages
Logic Games: Hybrid Games
Closing Remarks
Register for Class & Get Zoom Link
LSAT Ally Office Hours
Get expert instruction on the best strategy to take on any LSAT question that is holding you back. Whether a homework problem has you stumped or you are having trouble with a question from a full-length practice test, you can attend Office Hours at the times below to get your questions answered.
Course Start Date – August LSAT Test Day
Mondays: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm EST
Tuesdays: 9:30 am – 10:30 am EST
Wednesdays: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm EST
Office Hours Schedule:
July 5, 2021 – August 11, 2021 | Mon/Wed: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm EST & Tue: 9:30 am – 10:30 am*
Please register to attend Office Hours through the link below. A link to the Office Hours meeting room will be provided upon registration.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtdO6vrT0jGNONUqOP0rHCtTS5A7S4Ogvw
Passcode (if prompted): 313219
Add to Calendar:
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Add to Google Calendar | Add to Outlook Calendar | Add to Yahoo Calendar
*The Office Hours session scheduled for Wednesday, July 14th is being rescheduled from 6:30 pm EST to 12:00 pm EST.