As you are aware, the LSAT Logical Reasoning skill mounts up for 50% of your total score. As it happens, it is also the section that most students tend to struggle with.
Arguments, being the pillar of law, requires you to be able to apply your reasoning skills throughout your career. The test evaluates how you examine and evaluate scenarios to form arguments in ordinary language.
LSAT has two logical reasoning sections, each with around 24 to 26 questions, and gives you 35 minutes to answer. Let us look at how you can get a better grip on solving these logical puzzles.
Understand the Task
A typical question will have a passage where you will find the information forming the basis of the questions that follow. Sometimes there will also be two arguments. You will then be presented with five choices to pick your correct answer from. Now, some students read the question first, so they know what exactly to look for while reading. When you read the passage first, you will likely come back to it after the question, which might cost you a few extra seconds or even minutes.
Reading the Passage
Ensure that you are reading the passage actively, looking for conclusions, arguments, and taking notes of crucial phrases. For some questions, it is efficient to separate the claims, whereas, in others, you might have to put them together. You should break down the arguments and scrutinize them. There are different types of logical reasoning questions, and identifying the type will help you eliminate the least probable answers.
Identify the Conclusion and Premise
To improve your score in logical reasoning, accuracy is the key. The conclusion here does not mean the end of the argument. It might as well be in the first sentence of the passage. It would help if you kept an eye out for conjunctions such as however, therefore, consequently, and more. When you are doing practice tests, make a note of similar words in the passages. Do not pick the answer merely because it is true. Despite being true, it might not be the precise answer to the respective question.
Analyze the Answers
Think before you get to the choices, and try predicting the answer to the question. This approach might not be possible for all types of questions, though. If it’s possible to answer yourself, it will give you a clear idea of what you are looking for. The next step is to find out the answer that best matches your prediction. Start by eliminating the wrong choices first. Remember that one word can alter the whole meaning of a phrase, and if careless, it could cost you points as well.
Move Forward
Some questions can be tricky, compelling you to spend more time on it than planned. Remember that every question has the same weight here, and you might be losing points if you get stuck on one. Instead, opt for the most probable answer, and mark the question. You can come to it later if the time allows for it.
Most importantly, speed is your friend and enemy here. You shouldn’t rush through the questions, but shouldn’t stall either. Timed practices for logical reasoning questions will help you gain better control of your time management.
