Breaking Down LSAT Practice Test the Logical Reasoning Section
If you’re looking to join a law school, you must have a great score in the Law School Admission Test, popularly known as LSAT. This standardized test is part of school admission in Canada, the United States, and many other countries.
The test has three core sections:
- Reading Comprehension
- Analytical Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
It also includes an unscored variable section and a writing sample at the end of the test. Bear in mind that you can score well on every test section to earn a great score. For that reason, it’s advisable to tackle the test prep one section at a time. It’s much easier to understand and master the test this way. For instance, you can start with Logical Reasoning during your LSAT preparation.
What is the Logical Reasoning Section?
Arguments are the norm in law, and they require adequate reasoning to be constructive and informative. So, this section aims to test your critical reasoning skills. Students need to know how to evaluate, analyze, refute, and construct arguments.
You should use critical reasoning skills to persuade others or reconcile opposing parties in an argument. It’s important to identify parts of arguments, their structure, and their relationships. The section has different questions, which require you to read and understand short passages before answering them.
Keep in mind that the test is only administered seven times a year at designated locations. So, it would help if you adequately prepared for the test before registering for it.
Section Format
The Logical Reasoning section has two scored sections, each with 24 to 26 questions. You’ll have 35 minutes per section to complete the entire section.
The section tests your ability to recognize parts of an argument, reason by analogy, determine how evidence affects an argument, identify and apply rules, and draw well-informed conclusions. You don’t need specialized knowledge to complete this section.
Skills Needed and Tested
The questions in the section test a wide range of skills, which involve critical thinking. These skills include:
- Recognizing parts of an argument – You must analyze an argument to identify all the parts and elements, including claims, reasons, and evidence.
- Finding patterns in arguments – It’s vital to know the line of reasoning and connect the patterns in an argument to draw informed conclusions.
- Creating conclusions based on facts – Applicants need to use logic and deductive reasoning to make informed conclusions.
- Using analogies in your reasoning – You should be able to identify and use similarities in an argument to support your conclusions.
- Identifying misunderstandings – Before reconciling opposing positions, you need to identify misunderstandings.
- Identifying argumentative flaws – In some cases, an argument might not be logically strong. So, you should be able to identify the weaknesses within it.
Test Preparation
Preparing for your Logical Reasoning section is essential. This allows you to understand the task and read the passages well. Here are the tips you should use:
- Take practice tests – You can take free LSAT practice questions from Kaplan to prepare for the test. The more practice questions you answer, the better!
- Read questions carefully – Take ample time to read the questions carefully to understand them. Some question types need you to make predictions of what the answers might be.
- Review each possible answer – Take the time first to review each answer. Skim over each one before dismissing any outright.
- Don’t just pick the first factually correct answer – Bear in mind that multiple answers might be correct, but the right solution directly addresses the question.
- Answer based on the facts given, not your opinion – Don’t be influenced by your views, experience, or knowledge. You don’t need outside expertise when answering the questions.
- Focus on the context provided – Take the time to read and understand the task and the passage. There are different types of Logical Reasoning questions, and they all require you to understand the context of the passages.
- Remember that the LSAT practice test doesn’t have trick questions – While all the questions are not created equal, none is designed to be tricky. Be sure to attempt all questions and don’t skip any of them. There’s no penalty for wrong answers.
Prepare for Your LSAT Practice Test
All ABA-accredited schools use LSAT to review potential candidates. So, if you’re looking to pursue law in such schools, be sure to take the time to prepare for your LSAT. Adequate preparation is vital to get the score you want, and there are free online practice tests that you can take as many times as you wish.
