Five Logical Reasoning Skill Sets

The two 25-problem logical reasoning sections are critical to LSAT success. They cumulatively make up 50% of the final LSAT score, and the skill sets required to master this section will heavily impact one’s reading comprehension score as well. I would estimate that 70% of the points on a given LSAT directly involve LSAT logical reasoning skill sets.

To master LSAT logical reasoning, the first step is to gain foundational knowledge of both the problem types and methods of argumentative reasoning found within the LSAT. A quality prep course is valuable in gaining this initial knowledge. In my time as an instructor for the BYU LSAT preparation course, those students who came to class consistently and carefully learned the logical reasoning methods and problem types prior to practicing many full logical reasoning sessions tended to show quicker and more sustained improvement than those who haphazardly practiced without mastering the basics of the section.

After gaining knowledge into problem types and reasoning methods, consistent practice is necessary to develop the rest of the skill sets required for logical reasoning success. I’ve found the following five skill sets all must be developed through practice if one hopes to get a great score in logical reasoning (and the LSAT in general):

1. Identifying Main Conclusions of LSAT Arguments. If the question stimulus (the block of text at the beginning of the argument) contains an argument, the main conclusion should always be identified. It is not necessary to box-in or otherwise mark each conclusion, but it is very important to be consciously aware of the main conclusion (main point) of every argument analyzed

2. Identifying Assumptions which Underlie Arguments. Assumptions are the unstated/unwritten premises (supporting facts) that must be true for the argument to be valid.

Review the following argument:

“There are only giraffes and zebras in the cage. Therefore, no zebras will be eaten in the cage.”

Two major assumptions of this argument are 1) that giraffes do not eat zebras, and 2) that zebra-eating animals will not be released into the cage in the near future.

Major argument assumptions should jump out to the prepared test taker.

3. Reading for Structure. Essentially this skill entails identifying the role played by each of the major elements of the passage. However, throughout our schooling, we have been trained to read for detail more than structure. College exams require students to restate the facts of what they have read, not describe the argumentative structure which the textbook author happens to employ. For this reason, students many times struggle with reading for structure while also reading for details of each passage. I’ve addressed this topic more thoroughly in my post on reading for structure.

4. Reading for Detail. Any of the details in a logical reasoning passage may be essential. It is unwise to assume that any part of a passage is unimportant. Every LSAT contains questions which purposely contain information that the test makers believe a large portion of students will scan over and miss. To succeed, test takers must fully understand what the author of each passage is actually saying. Do not add to, subtract from, or incorrectly paraphrase authors’ statements—you will get the question wrong be doing this.

For those who tend to struggle with reading comprehension or haven’t read a significant amount during college, the best way to improve in this area is to read through as many LSAT questions as possible. Re-read problems you’ve already attempted and highlight those words which you missed or did not fully understand. This is a much more effective practice than reading other dense periodicals such as The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, etc.

5. Reading for Speed. It is easy to read too quickly and miss important passage details. It is likewise simple to read too slowly and not finish the section. Test takers must develop individual plans which maximize their reading accuracy while allowing them to finish the entire section. My personal strategy has been to finish the first fifteen questions in fifteen minutes and use the remaining twenty minutes of each section for the last ten questions and checking my work. I practice with a watch and remain aware of my adherence to section timing. Develop a section timing plan that works for you and approach each section using it until test day.

I’ve found that those test takers who master the aforementioned skill sets will find themselves missing two or less problems in each logical reasoning section. If you are missing more per section, it is because you still need to develop in one or more of these areas. Review your section practice and gain the guided help of a mentor, instructor, or individual tutor to identify which of these areas you are struggling in.