Nothing inspires more fear in the hearts of LSAT* test takers than Analytical Reasoning - affectionately known as Logic Games.
Why?
Partly, it's because the skills tested on the section seem so unfamiliar. You need to turn a game's information to your advantage by organizing your thinking and spotting key deductions - and that's not easy to do.
Logic Games on the LSAT
·35 minutes
·Approximately 25 percent of your score
·Usually 24 questions
·Usually 4 games
·Common question-types: sequencing, grouping, matching
·Tests how rules create systems ofsgroupsand limit possible outcomes
·Attention to detail is key, as is ability to maintain awareness of multiple facts simultaneously
·Basic logic is important: if vs. only if; the logical meaning of or, the contrapositive
·Often most intimidating section initially·Often shows rapid improvement with practice
Four Basic Principles
Logic Games require an ability to reason clearly and deductively from a given set of rules or restrictions, all under strictly timed conditions.
1.To Go Faster, Slow Down欲速则不达
This is not only the most important principle for logic games success, it's also the one that's most often ignored. Peopleshavingstiming difficulties tend to speed up, not slow down. But by spending a little extra time thinking through the stimulus, the "action" of the game, and the rules, you will be able to recognize the game's key issues and make important deductions that will actually save you time in the long run.
2. Understand What a Rule Means了解游戏规则
To fully grasp a rule in Logic Games, you must know more than just what it says. You have to know what the rule means in the context of the game and in combination with other rules.
3. Use Scratchwork and Shorthand使用速记，需要时可以是画桃符
You're applying to law school, not art school. Don't worry about making elaborate diagrams in Logic Games. There is no "right diagram" for any game. But there is good scratchwork that condenses a lot of informationsintosmanageable visual clues and helps you get points more quickly and more accurately.
4. Try to Set Off Chains of Deductions演绎时学会减负
When hypothetical information is offered in a question stem, try to use it to set off a chain of deductions. Then follow through until you've taken the new information as far as it can go. Stay out of answer-choice land until you've sufficiently mined the hypothetical.