LSAT Critical Reasoning Questions

Logical reasoning is one of the most important sections of the LSAT; it accounts for nearly half of the paper (Half, yes!) and can be the deciding factor in your admission to a top law school in the country. However, one of the major issues that an aspirant faces, particularly in the LR section, is in the critical reasoning part as even after a significant number of mocks, the score in this section reaches a plateau and becomes static. 

Many LSAT students consider Logical Reasoning to be the most difficult portion. (Half, yes!) Every LSAT has two Logical Reasoning sections: you will have 35 minutes to complete 24-26 problems in each session. You even get to do it again! 

Solving 25-26 problems in 35 minutes should be a positive step (you should solve more questions than asked in the given time period to increase your problem solving ability and this will also enhance your speed giving you more time to revise your paper). 

But before coming to that part, let's analyze the different type of questions usually asked in the critical reasoning section- 

(i) Find the “Flaw” - These types of questions need you to identify the fundamental flaw in the provided argument. 

(ii) Assumption Questions- In these types of questions, you must discover the discrepancy between the evidence presented and the conclusion made. The correct answer choice will be the statement required to move from the evidence to the conclusion. 

(iii) Inference Questions- These questions require you to discover the assertion that is best supported by the argument, given that all of the claims in the argument are correct. 

(iv) Strengthen Questions- These need you to identify the statement that would best support the author's argument and conclusion. 

(v) Weaken Questions- In these types of questions, you need to identify the statement that would most detract from the author's evidence supporting the conclusion. 

(vi) Paradox questions- In these types of questions, you are asked to make a note of the response choice that has the most comparable argument structure to the one in the argument.

(vii) Principle Questions- These require you to select the response option that best exemplifies the concept or principle provided in the argument. 

So, take a big breath—you're definitely facing one of those sorts of questions. 

One of the reasons your score has been relatively stable is because many applicants begin the logical reasoning portion with the first question, which is not a very good decision. The easy questions should be addressed first, followed by the more challenging ones. 

To optimise one's score in this area, start with the strength/weakness and assumption questions first because the solution is generally available in the question, these are quicker and easier to complete. Finish up with parallel reasoning and alternative conclusion questions along with the rest of the questions with the time you have left. Your technique will, of course, change depending on the sort of question you are addressing. You don't want to choose the answer option that enhances the argument when the question asks which option weakens the argument the most! 

You have 35 minutes to answer 23 questions, which equates to about 1.5 minutes each question; the easiest approach to improve your accuracy and score is to skim the alternatives and passage. For this, the best strategy is to follow the “30-60” rule. 

THE 30-60 Rule 

Usually, 1-2 options can be easily eliminated while reading them, so it would be best advised to get past these questions in quick succession so that we can devote our time to choosing the right option among the confusing ones, which require you to skim the passage and the options in the first 30 seconds and then read the rest of the passage and the options in the meantime. 

One of the primary benefits of this rule is that while we are skimming the passage and the alternatives in the first half, our minds unconsciously image things and it becomes pretty easy for us to grasp since after visualising it, it becomes extremely easy for us to consider from the author's perspective. 

Final Thoughts and Last Minute Advice 

Remember that you want to earn as many points as possible on the day of the test, so start with the most popular question types. Once you've mastered the technique for the most common question kinds, and only then, go on to the more uncommon question types. After that, practise, practise, practise. Practice is essential for acing the LSAT Critical Reasoning portion.

As a result, make sure you are familiar with the most typical critical reasoning questions. You want to be so familiar with all of the Logical Reasoning question types that when the LSAT comes around, you'll feel secure and know precisely what to do. 

You won't be hesitating—you'll be ready to demolish whatever question the test throws your way!