25 cardsLSAT (Law School Admission Test)
LSAT Question Types and Reasoning Rules
25 flashcards on the question types, conditional-logic rules and common flaws that appear in LSAT-style questions. Study material written for practice, not the official exam.
PDF study sheet
Free account needed to save, copy or download. We bring you back here.
1 / 25
0 known
TermClick or press Space to flip
Assumption question
GetMyMockTestQuestion side
Full list
Terms in this deck (25)
1
Assumption question
Find the unstated premise the conclusion needs. Test it by negating the answer: if the argument then fails, it is necessary.
2
Strengthen question
Choose the option that makes the conclusion more likely, often by ruling out an alternative cause or by supporting a gap.
3
Weaken question
Choose the option that makes the conclusion less likely, often by giving another cause or showing the evidence is unrepresentative.
4
Flaw question
Name the reasoning error: correlation as cause, necessary versus sufficient, part versus whole, ad hominem, small sample, false dilemma.
5
Correlation versus causation
Two things occurring together does not show that one causes the other; look for a third cause or reversed cause.
6
Necessary condition
Required for an outcome ('only if'). Having it does not guarantee the outcome.
7
Sufficient condition
Enough to guarantee the outcome ('if'). The outcome can occur without it.
8
Contrapositive
If A then B is equivalent to if not B then not A.
9
Common conditional error
If A then B does not mean if B then A (affirming the consequent).
10
Most versus all
'Most' means more than half. Two 'most' groups in the same set must overlap.
11
Some
'Some' means at least one and possibly all.
12
Inference question
The answer must be true given the stimulus. Do not choose an answer that is merely possible.
13
Main conclusion
The claim the rest of the argument supports. Test: ask 'why should I believe that?'
14
Role of a statement
Decide whether it is evidence, a conclusion, a background fact, an opposing view or a counterexample.
15
Parallel reasoning
Match the structure of the argument, not its topic: same kind of premises, same type of conclusion.
16
Principle question
Find the general rule that supports the argument, or the case that fits the rule given.
17
Resolve a discrepancy
Find the fact that explains how two apparently conflicting facts can both be true.
18
Method of reasoning
Describe what the author does: counterexample, analogy, appeal to a principle, showing a flaw by a parallel case.
19
Evaluate the argument
Choose the question whose answer would most affect whether the conclusion is believable.
20
Reading comprehension: main point
State the author's central idea in a sentence; avoid options that are too narrow or too broad.
21
Reading comprehension: inference
Choose the claim that the passage supports without going beyond it.
22
Reading comprehension: author's attitude
Look at the author's word choice for approval, criticism or balance.
23
Reading comprehension: purpose of a detail
Ask why the author included it: to illustrate, to give evidence, to concede or to contrast.
24
Extreme answer choices
Words such as always, never, all and only are usually too strong unless the passage says so.
25
Pacing
About 1 minute 20 seconds per logical reasoning question; skip and return to the hardest ones.
LSAT (Law School Admission Test) in Canada
In Canada, LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is part of: International and admission exams.
Students on the same pathway also practise: