Logic Games

Although this blog is about standardized test-prep in general, today I want to concentrate on my LSAT students, specifically those having trouble with the logic games section of their test. For a substantial majority of native English speaking students, the games are the toughest part of the LSAT, and many spend an inordinate amount of time preparing for that section. For my non-native speakers, although the reading comprehension section tends to be the toughest, the games still often present a special problem.


The reason that the games are (for most students) so tough is that they're not the kind of thing we're accustomed to being tested on. Even though the reading comprehension and logical reasoning sections are difficult, at least the tasks in those sections are somewhat familiar; we've all taken tests which require us to comprehend and answer questions about written material. But the logic games--with their strange, often intentionally vague and confusing rules--present a challenge unfamiliar to most test-takers.


For some students, however, the games are easy. Having taught the LSAT for several years, and having become good at the games myself through practice rather than inborn talent, I've observed several habits in my naturally-talented students. There are certain characteristics that those "naturals" tend to share, and which (lucky for me) can be learned.


Here are a few of the habits and tactics of effective logic-game solvers:


1) Think about the rules in the order that is most helpful, and not necessarily in the order that the testmakers list them! If, for instance, you have a sequencing game in which the first rule is "E is not first unless F is last," and the last rule is "B is second," put B in his place before you start worrying about E and F.

Another way of stating this tip is "Every rule is equally important, and equally valid." Use the rules that are simple to implement in order to help you implement the tougher ones.


2) Know the rules of logic! Sometimes, the LSAT says "If A is first, B is second." But other times (more often), you get rules like "If B is not second, A is not first." These, of course, are the exact same rule (write them out and do the contrapositives if you don't believe me), but the latter is tougher to visualize than the former.


If you aren't comfortable with the rules of logic and cause and effect, you will get flustered and lose confidence when confronted with vaguely-worded rules.


3) Know how to recognize game types, and how to shorthand common rules and their variations. Each game type has one or two sketch types that--if you know how to implement them--will make it much easier to assess the evidence and make deductions. Practice by first setting up your sketch in 6 or 8 minutes, and then peeking at Kaplan's explanation. If Kaplan's sketch arranges the information more cogently, modify your sketch accordingly and then proceed to the questions on your own.


4) Make your sketch, and then trust it. The LSAT beats us with humiliation and self-doubt. If you are constantly asking yourself "How did I know that? Am I sure I'm right?" you'll waste time by re-checking the rules over and over (re-re-re-re-checking, as it were).


5) Think proactively, not reactively. In other words, try to think like the testmakers. If you're asked "Which of the following must be true?" look at your deductions and see if you can anticipate the answer. This not only helps you to "vet" your sketch, but increases your confidence. When you're right, you feel like a superhero. And even when you don't anticipate the correct answer, thinking proactively can often at least allow you to narrow down answer choices, or key in on a "likely suspect" entity in the answer choices.


Like everything on the LSAT, these games are tough. However, more than the other sections, the games test shorthand, sketching, and formal logic skills that you can learn and develop.




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