LSAT Logical Reasoning Skills

The Logical Reasoning (LR) section of the LSAT is a test of critical thinking, argument analysis, and logical precision. To achieve your highest score on this section, you must develop a set of key skills that will allow you to efficiently break down complex arguments, identify flaws, and select the most logical answer choice in a timely manner. It is the ability to employ all of these skills within the given time constraints that will earn you a high score on the notoriously difficult LR sections.

While the following list of skills is by no means exhaustive, mastering them through practice tests, group learning, or private LSAT tutoring will ensure you are more than prepared to demonstrate your ability to reason in a logical manner, setting yourself up as a highly competitive law school applicant.

Argument Analysis and Structure Recognition

Most LSAT Logical Reasoning questions present an argument, and it is crucial to understand the argument's structure. You need to distinguish between premises (facts), conclusions (claims drawn from facts), and assumptions (unstated links between premises and conclusions). Assumptions can be particularly difficult, and the wording used in LR questions frequently tricks test takers into making mistakes that could have been avoided with a more thoughtful approach that takes into account the parts of an argument and their relationships to one another.

Recognizing the structure of an argument helps in identifying logical gaps and predicting correct answers. You can identify where you might be making an assumption and also rule out answer choices that do not work with the available information. The best way to quickly and correctly break down an argument into its component pieces is to practice taking apart LR questions and writing out or verbally labeling the parts of an argument. Eventually you will be able to identify premises, conclusions, and assumptions without written or verbal assistance, and once you can identify each part of the presented argument, you are ready to use them to answer the given question.

Identifying Logical Fallacies

A significant portion of the LSAT tests your ability to spot flawed reasoning. Common logical fallacies include the following:

Correlation vs. causation: Simply because two events occur one after another does not mean the first event caused the second event to occur. Things can be related, or correlated, without either being causative or significantly influencing the other.
Circular reasoning: This occurs when an argument's premise assumes the truth of the conclusion without the support of independent evidence or valid reasoning. The argument starts from the position of what it intends to prove, which makes it appear as if the conclusion is already established.
False dilemmas: Also known as the "either-or" fallacy, false dilemmas mispresent an issue by only presenting two options as available choices. This forces people to choose between two extremes when there may actually be a spectrum of possible answers that are not being considered.
Ad hominem attacks: This fallacy occurs when someone attacks the character or personal traits of their opponent rather than addressing the opponent's argument or position.

Being able to recognize and avoid these logical fallacies will enable you to evaluate an argument's strength and predict incorrect answers.

Inference and Deductive Reasoning

Some questions require drawing valid conclusions based on given premises. You must train your mind to think logically and linearly, ensuring that your inferences strictly follow from the information provided without introducing outside assumptions. This can be especially challenging if you have some knowledge of the topic being presented in the argument or hold strong personal opinions about it, but it is imperative to use only the information you have been given.

An inference is a conclusion that is reached through the combination of evidence and reasoning. It is the result of drawing a logical, reasonable conclusion based on the available information. You will be asked to make inferences or infer a conclusion on certain LR questions, and it is important to understand the difference between an inference and an assumption, something that is accepted as being true without proof or without enough information to reasonably arrive at the given conclusion.

Precision in Reading and Eliminating Trap Answers

LSAT questions are often tricky due to subtle wording differences between answer choices. Read each answer choice carefully to ensure you aren't missing any words or overlooking a single word that changes the meaning of the answer. Developing strong reading comprehension skills ensures you won't be tricked and make the mistake of falling for extreme, irrelevant, or distorted answer choices. Much of the LR reasoning section is knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore, a skill that is critically important in law school and the legal profession.

Efficient Time Management and Pattern Recognition

The LSAT is strictly timed, so speed and efficiency are essential. Test takers are given 35 minutes to complete one Logical Reasoning section that may contain anywhere from 24-26 questions. If, for example, there are 25 LR questions, this means you have a little more than one minute per question, although some questions may require more of your time while others may require less. Recognizing common question patterns (e.g., strengthen, weaken, assumption, and principle questions) allows you to approach questions systematically to avoid wasting time.

Tips for Improving Your Logical Reasoning Skills Before Exam Day

While there is no single study or preparation method that works best for everyone, there are several steps you can take to ensure you are as prepared as possible on the day of your exam:

Take Practice Exams
Practice exams can be found online through LSAC, through reputable prep courses, or by working with LSAT tutors. While the questions on practice exams will not be the same as the ones you'll face on exam day, the structure, format, and pacing of the questions will be the same, ensuring you are familiar with the LR sections and don't experience unwanted surprises or additional stress.
Start Small and Work Your Way Up
Logical Reasoning questions are mentally draining, so begin by working through a few questions at a time rather than attempting to complete an entire section at every study session. Make sure you thoroughly understand every aspect of the question, as well as why the right answer is the right answer and why incorrect answers do not work, before moving on to a new question. As you become faster over time, you can work up to completing full LR sections.
Follow Given Time Constraints
Test takers have 35 minutes to complete a LR section, so once you understand question types and can maintain concentration for more than a few questions, set a timer and be strict about stopping after 35 minutes. When you work within a set amount of time, you are training your brain to work at a particular pace. This is exceptionally helpful when you take the LSAT for real, as your brain is already familiar with the pace you must work at, reducing your stress and allowing you to demonstrate the skills you have built during the preparation process.

By honing these important critical thinking, reasoning, and analytical reading skills, you can improve both speed and accuracy, which are key factors in acing the Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT.

The LSAT Logical Reasoning Skills