Logical Reasoning tests

Take the Varsity Learning Tools free diagnostic test for LSAT Logical Reasoning to determine which academic concepts you understand and which ones require your ongoing attention. Each LSAT Logical Reasoning problem is tagged down to the core, underlying concept that is being tested. The LSAT Logical Reasoning diagnostic test results highlight how you performed on each area of the test. You can then utilize the results to create a personalized study plan that is based on your particular area of need.

Questions: 40

Average Time Spent: 1 hrs 56 mins

Questions: 26

Average Time Spent: 2 hrs 25 mins

Average Time Spent: 37 mins

Average Time Spent: 9 hrs 17 mins

All LSAT Logical Reasoning Resources

LSAT Logical Reasoning / Arguments Section

What are Arguments?

The LSAT Logical Reasoning section questions your ability to understand and analyze short arguments—therefore, this section is often referred to as the “Arguments” section. An argument consists of a stimulus, a question stem, and five answer choices. You will encounter the stimulus first; this is usually the argument itself. The stimulus consists of one to five sentences comprising a brief “argument” that you must analyze. The question stem is the question you must answer; for example, “Each of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument EXCEPT (which answer choice), ” or “Which of the following can be properly inferred from the statements above?” The five answer choices will follow the question stem.

There are a few basic components of arguments that you must understand in order to be successful on this section. A “premise” is a piece of evidence in the argument that can be used to support or refute a conclusion. A “conclusion” is the summation of this evidence, the judgment that the author comes to after considering all factors involved. An “assumption” can simply be thought of as an unstated premise—something that must be true in order for the argument to be valid, but not explicitly stated. An “inference” can be thought of as an unstated conclusion—something that, when all evidence is taken into account, can be properly drawn or inferred. Whether you need top LSAT tutors in New York, LSAT tutors in Chicago, or top LSAT tutors in Los Angeles, working with a pro may take your studies to the next level.

Where does the Logical Reasoning section appear on the LSAT?

There are four scored sections on the LSAT, and Logical Reasoning makes up fifty percent of the scored multiple-choice on the official LSAT. You will have to complete two Logical Reasoning sections, one Analytical Reasoning section, one Reading Comprehension section and the Writing Sample. There is also an extra experimental section on each LSAT, which does not count towards your score; it is used by the test-makers to help create questions for future tests. The experimental section can be Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, or Reading Comprehension, but you are not alerted as to which section of your LSAT is the unscored section. After taking the exam, you can guess as to which section was experimental, based on the number of each type of section you face. For example, if your test contains three Logical Reasoning sections, you can be assured that one of them was the experimental section, though you will not know which one it was.

The sections of the LSAT are organized randomly, except for the Writing Sample, which will always be the last section you complete. You could encounter both Logical Reasoning sections right away, or you could have a nice mix of sections. There is no way to know before you sit down at the test; therefore, you could do Logical Reasoning before, after, or between the other sections depending on your specific test.

How much time do you have to complete the LSAT Logical Reasoning section?

Every section on the LSAT is a timed 35-minute section. The Logical Reasoning sections will generally have 24 to 26 questions per section. This means that you have approximately one minute and thirty seconds per argument.

The questions tend to get harder as you progress through the section; i.e. question twenty-four is almost guaranteed to be more difficult than question five. Because of this fact, some students prefer to tailor their time to the difficulty of the test. Instead of rushing to get through every question, they devote two or more minutes to each question, knowing that they won’t finish the section. Working in this way gives more time to attempt the easier questions, which they are more likely to get right, than rushing through to get to difficult questions..

What are the different types of Logical Reasoning / Arguments questions?

There are many different categories of Logical Reasoning questions; different people will categorize them in different ways. A basic breakdown will include questions of the following types: t

Must Be/Cannot Be True: These types of questions require you to understand the implications of the various premises given in order to divine what further information either must or cannot be true.

Main Point: These questions will ask you to surmise what the main point of the argument was. Common wrong answers will include topics mentioned in the argument that lack the main conclusion presented.

Conditional Reasoning: These types of questions require you to use conditional reasoning to select the correct answer. The argument will include a conditional or conditionals that work together in some way.

Strengthen/Weaken: The questions ask you to pick the answer choice that if true, most strengthens or weakens the given argument.

Assumption/Inference: Assumption questions will ask you to pick out the necessary assumption, and Inference questions will ask you to pick out a possible inference.

Resolve the Paradox: These types of questions follow arguments that contain some kind of contradiction. They will ask you to choose the answer that would most effectively eliminate the argument’s illogicality.

Formal Logic: These questions rely on your ability to understand and apply Formal Logic, which can differ greatly from what you might consider “everyday” logic.

Method of Reasoning: In these questions, you are asked to choose the answer that best verbalizes the way in which the author makes his or her argument.

Flaw in the Reasoning: These questions will follow an argument that contains some kind of logical flaw. You are asked to either identify the type of flaw or identify the logical gap in the argument itself.