LSAT Logical Reasoning Exam Flashcards

Q: How many Logical Reasoning sections are on the current LSAT?

The current LSAT includes two scored Logical Reasoning sections. Each section has a 35-minute time limit and typically contains 24-26 questions.

Q: Does Logical Reasoning have a separate passing score?

No. Logical Reasoning contributes to the overall LSAT score reported on the 120-180 scale; there is no standalone passing score for this section.

Q: What should I memorize for LSAT Logical Reasoning?

Memorize argument roles, conditional logic translations, common flaw patterns, and the task for each question type. The goal is not rote facts alone, but fast recognition of reasoning structure.

Question 1

What is the first task on most LSAT Logical Reasoning questions?

Accepted Answer

Identify the conclusion and the support. Once you know what the author is trying to prove and why, the question type tells you what to do with that argument.

Question 2

Premise

Accepted Answer

A statement offered as support for another claim. Premises are treated as true on the LSAT, even if they sound debatable in real life.

Question 3

Main conclusion

Accepted Answer

The primary claim the argument is trying to establish. It is supported by other statements and does not mainly serve to support a later claim.

Question 4

Intermediate conclusion

Accepted Answer

A claim that is supported by at least one premise and also supports the main conclusion. It is both a conclusion and a premise within the argument.

Question 5

Background information

Accepted Answer

Context that helps frame the argument but is not doing the main inferential work. Do not mistake scene-setting facts for the author's proof.

Question 6

Concession

Accepted Answer

A point the author acknowledges before arguing a different conclusion. A concession often signals that the author is responding to an opposing view.

Question 7

What does a Main Conclusion question ask you to find?

Accepted Answer

The claim the rest of the argument is meant to support. Use the because/therefore test: premises fit after because; conclusions fit after therefore.

Question 8

Role of a Statement question

Accepted Answer

Ask how the named statement functions: premise, main conclusion, intermediate conclusion, background, concession, objection, or example.

Question 9

Method of Reasoning question

Accepted Answer

Describe the argument's move, not whether it is persuasive. Common methods include applying a general rule, drawing an analogy, eliminating alternatives, or citing a counterexample.

Question 10

What is an assumption?

Accepted Answer

An unstated idea the argument depends on. Assumptions connect the premises to the conclusion or rule out a problem the author overlooked.

Question 11

Necessary Assumption question

Accepted Answer

Find something the argument must rely on. If the answer is false, the argument is seriously damaged or cannot work as stated.

Question 12

Negation test

Accepted Answer

For a Necessary Assumption answer, negate the choice and ask whether the argument falls apart. If the negation wrecks the reasoning, the original choice was required.

Question 13

Sufficient Assumption question

Accepted Answer

Find a statement that guarantees the conclusion when combined with the premises. The correct answer usually closes the exact logical gap.

Question 14

Necessary vs. sufficient assumption

Accepted Answer

Necessary assumptions are required but may not prove the conclusion. Sufficient assumptions prove the conclusion but may be stronger than what the argument strictly needs.

Question 15

Defender assumption

Accepted Answer

An assumption that rules out a threat to the argument. It often says that some alternative cause, exception, or interfering factor is not present.

Question 16

Bridge assumption

Accepted Answer

An assumption that links a premise term to a conclusion term. Watch for new language in the conclusion that was not clearly supported in the premises.

Question 17

Strengthen question

Accepted Answer

Choose the answer that makes the conclusion more likely to follow from the premises. It need not prove the conclusion; it only has to help.

Question 18

Weaken question

Accepted Answer

Choose the answer that most undermines the support for the conclusion. The best weakener attacks the argument's link, not merely the topic.

Question 19

Strong answer language on Strengthen/Weaken questions

Accepted Answer

Strong language can be correct if it targets the gap. Do not eliminate an answer just because it says all, always, or never; test its effect on the argument.

Question 20

Causal argument

Accepted Answer

An argument claiming that one thing produces another. To weaken, show an alternate cause, reverse causation, coincidence, or a case where the cause occurs without the effect.

Question 21

Correlation vs. causation flaw

Accepted Answer

The author treats two things occurring together as proof that one caused the other. Correlation alone does not rule out coincidence, a third factor, or reverse causation.

Question 22

Sampling flaw

Accepted Answer

The argument draws a broad conclusion from a sample that may be too small, biased, or unrepresentative of the group being discussed.

Question 23

Equivocation flaw

Accepted Answer

A key term shifts meaning during the argument. The reasoning looks connected only because the same word is being used in different senses.

Question 24

Circular reasoning

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes what it is trying to prove. A premise may restate the conclusion or depend on the conclusion being true.

Question 25

Ad hominem flaw

Accepted Answer

The argument attacks the person or source instead of addressing the reasoning or evidence. A speaker's character usually does not decide whether the claim is true.

Question 26

Part-to-whole flaw

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes that what is true of each part must be true of the whole. A team can be strong even if one member is weak, and the reverse can also fail.

Question 27

Whole-to-part flaw

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes that what is true of a whole must be true of each part. A company can be profitable even if one division is not.

Question 28

False dilemma

Accepted Answer

The argument treats limited options as exhaustive without support. The missing possibility is often the key weakener or flaw description.

Question 29

Conditional statement

Accepted Answer

A rule in if-then form. The sufficient condition triggers the necessary condition: if P, then Q means P is enough to guarantee Q.

Question 30

Contrapositive

Accepted Answer

The valid reversal and negation of a conditional. If P then Q is equivalent to if not Q then not P.

Question 31

Mistaken reversal

Accepted Answer

Invalidly moving from if P then Q to if Q then P. Just because all dogs are animals does not mean all animals are dogs.

Question 32

Mistaken negation

Accepted Answer

Invalidly moving from if P then Q to if not P then not Q. Failing to meet one sufficient condition does not prove the necessary condition is absent.

Question 33

Unless

Accepted Answer

Treat unless as introducing a necessary condition. 'A unless B' means if not B, then A; it also means if not A, then B.

Question 34

Only if

Accepted Answer

Only if introduces a necessary condition. 'P only if Q' means if P, then Q.

Question 35

Inference / Must Be True question

Accepted Answer

Accept the stimulus and choose what must follow. Avoid answers that add outside assumptions, make causal leaps, or are merely plausible.

Question 36

Most Strongly Supported question

Accepted Answer

Choose the answer best supported by the stimulus, even if it is not mathematically forced. The correct answer should still stay close to the evidence.

Question 37

Some

Accepted Answer

On LSAT logic, some means at least one. It does not mean most, many, or not all unless the stimulus separately supports that idea.

Question 38

Most

Accepted Answer

Most means more than half. From most A are B and most A are C, you can infer that at least some B are C because the two groups must overlap within A.

Question 39

Parallel Reasoning question

Accepted Answer

Match the argument's structure. Abstract the original into variables, preserve conditional direction, quantifiers, conclusion type, and validity.

Question 40

Parallel Flaw question

Accepted Answer

Match the same error, not just the same subject matter. First name the flaw in abstract form, then look for the answer that repeats it.

Question 41

How to compare Parallel answers efficiently

Accepted Answer

Check conclusion strength, number of groups or terms, conditional direction, and positive or negative wording before reading for topic details.

Question 42

Principle Identify question

Accepted Answer

Find the general rule that best justifies the argument. The correct principle should cover the specific facts without being irrelevant or too narrow.

Question 43

Principle Apply question

Accepted Answer

Use the stated rule like a mini-law. The correct answer is the situation in which the rule's conditions are met and its consequence follows.

Question 44

Resolve the Paradox question

Accepted Answer

Find the answer that allows both surprising facts to be true at the same time. Do not attack either fact; explain how they can coexist.

Question 45

Point at Issue question

Accepted Answer

Find a claim one speaker would accept and the other would reject. The right answer must be addressed by both speakers, not just one.

Question 46

Disagreement vs. different emphasis

Accepted Answer

Two speakers disagree only when they take incompatible positions on the same claim. Talking about related but different issues is not enough.

Question 47

Evaluate the Argument question

Accepted Answer

Find the information that would help judge whether the conclusion follows. A good answer usually tests the central assumption in either direction.

Question 48

Argument by analogy

Accepted Answer

The author reasons that because two cases are similar in one way, they should be similar in another. Strengthen by showing the similarity matters; weaken by showing a relevant difference.

Question 49

Prephrase

Accepted Answer

Before looking at answers, predict the kind of response needed from the question stem and argument gap. Prephrasing reduces attraction to tempting but irrelevant choices.

Question 50

When should you skip an LR question temporarily?

Accepted Answer

Skip when the structure is clear but the answer choices are time-consuming, especially dense Parallel or formal logic items. Bank easier points and return with remaining time.

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