LSAT Logical Reasoning Guide

The LSAT Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT will test your ability to analyze the given information and draw logical conclusions. All text passages in this section of the LSAT are followed by one question that focuses on the passage’s argument. The questions deal with arguments, conclusions, additional information, flaws in arguments, and explanations. The questions are well-structured and direct. 

In total, there are two Logical Reasoning sections in the LSAT. In case the experimental section is also Logical Reasoning, test-takers will have to complete three LR sections within the test. There will always be at least two LR sections, which means this section makes up roughly half of your total points. Each of these sections contains 24-26 questions, meaning there are at least 52 Logical Reasoning questions per LSAT. 

The following LSAT Logical Reasoning guide will give you an idea of what the LR questions might look like and what they focus on.

Passage 1

The following sample LR question is taken from the LSAC’s published edition of the June 2018 LSAT.

Philosopher: I have been told that most university students today have no interest in philosophical issues, but I know from my own experience that this isn't true. I often go to university campuses to give talks, and the students at my talks have a deep interest in philosophical issues.

Question: The reasoning in the philosopher's argument is flawed in that the argument: 

1. uses the term "interest" in two different ways when the argument requires that it be used consistently throughout.
2. treats a group as representative of a larger group when there is reason to believe it is unrepresentative.
3. appeals to the popularity of an academic field as evidence of the worth of that academic field.
4. takes for granted that just because there is no evidence that interest in something is decreasing, it must be increasing.
5. takes for granted that it is good that university students have an interest in a certain subject just because the person making the argument has that interest.

Passage 2

The following sample LR question is taken from the LSAC’s published edition of the June 2018 LSAT.

One should not confuse a desire for money with a desire for material possessions. Much of what money can buy—education, travel, even prestige—are not material goods at all. Material goods themselves, moreover, are seldom desired for their own sake but rather for the experiences or activities they make possible. 

Question: The claim that one should not confuse a desire for money with a desire for material possessions plays which one of the following roles in the argument? 

1. It is a generalization from which the argument draws inferences regarding several particular cases. 
2. It is the overall conclusion of the argument. 
3. It is a subsidiary conclusion used by the argument to support its overall conclusion. 
4. It is a recommendation that the argument evaluates by considering specific counterexamples. 
5. It alludes to a problem for which the conclusion of the argument offers a solution. 

Passage 3

The following sample LR question is taken from the LSAC’s published edition of the November 2018 LSAT.

Economist: There have been large declines in employment around the globe, so it's not surprising that the number of workers injured on the job has decreased. What is surprising, however, is that the percentage of workers injured on the job has also decreased. 

Question: Each of the following, if true, helps to explain the surprising result mentioned by the economist EXCEPT: 

1. Overall, people who are employed are working fewer hours each day. 
2. A decrease in the demand for products has reduced the pressure on workers to meet production quotas and deadlines. 
3. Some of the most dangerous industries have had especially big declines in employment. 
4. There has been a general decline in the resources devoted to workplace safety. 
5. Inexperienced workers have lost their jobs at higher rates than experienced ones. 

Passage 4 

The following sample LR question is taken from the LSAC’s published edition of the November 2018 LSAT.

When a bird flies, powerful forces converge on its shoulder joints. The bird's wings must be kept stable during flight, which cannot happen unless something balances these forces. The only structure in birds capable of balancing them is a ligament that connects the wing to the shoulder joint. So that ligament must be __________.

Question: Which one of the following most logically completes the argument? 

1. the only structure that is indispensable to bird flight.
2. the reason that a bird's wings must be kept stable during flight.
3. the sole connection between the wing and the shoulder joint.
4. the source of the powerful forces that converge on the shoulder joint.
5. the means by which a bird stabilizes its wings during flight.

Key Answers: 

Your Logical Reasoning Success Plan

Read the Question Type First: Many test-takers find that reading the question before moving on to the passage is quite helpful. This way, you get an idea of the question type and what you need to focus on while reading the passage. The point is to read the passage with an intention instead of going back and forth. Although this strategy might not work for everyone, it is pretty practical in general.

Underline or Annotate: When reading the passage, many test-takers prefer to use the method of underlining and annotating. Test-takers might either underline the conclusion or any other relevant argument or highlight keywords that seem to change the passage’s meaning. This method enables students to keep their mind entirely on the passage and, therefore, have more attention to detail that might prove to be useful.

Skip and Go Back: Skipping a question you can not seem to figure the answer to would be one of the wisest things you can do, especially when you are under time constraints. Make sure you get to the end of the section before the 35 minutes are up. This way, you get to answer the questions you know and have time to go back to the questions you were struggling with.

Predict the Answer: This is an interesting method to use during the Logical Reasoning section. You can look at the question (not the answer options) and try to predict what the answer is. Take some time analyzing the passage and reading the question and come up with a prediction. It might happen that your prediction matches one of the answer choices. This will make it easier for you to decide on your answer.