Logical Reasoning Question Format

It is very important to fully understand the different formats of questions that are asked on the LSAT. This is true of questions in the 4 different sections as well as the different types of questions that exist within each section. This article focuses on the typical format of questions found in the logical reasoning (arguments) sections of the LSAT.

As a starting point, it is important to understand the different parts of each logical reasoning (arguments) problem. These problems all consist of a passage that is usually a couple of sentences in length and is the uppermost portion of the problem. Next comes a short question that is referred to as the question stem. Finally, the lower portion of the problem presents the lettered answer choices. This may not seem overwhelmingly important, but the structure of the problems in the logical reasoning (arguments) sections of the LSAT offers the first tip for handling these types problems. That is, the examinee should always read the question stem first, followed by the passage. Only after these two sections of the problem have been adequately reviewed (which may take a couple of looks) should the examinee proceed to the answer choices.

The logic behind this ordering is simply practical. If the examinee reads the passage prior to the question stem, the examinee will have no idea what to look for in the passage. Worse, the examinee may form an assumption about what the problem is asking before reading the question stem. Most people who read the passage first, and then proceed to the question stem end up having to re-read the passage anyway. By reading the question stem first, the examinee gains an understanding of what the problem is asking and avoids any potentially damaging assumptions from forming.

A closer examination of the passages included in the logical reasoning (arguments) problems on the LSAT reveals that most are similar in structure. The vast majority of these passages consist of an overall argument. This argument typically contains evidence, facts, or opinions that support a conclusion. A simple way to identify these argument components is to read a passage and then ask two questions. First ask "what?" The answer to this question reveals the conclusion posed by the question writer. The second question is "why?" The answer to this question reveals the facts, evidence, or opinions utilized by the question writer to reach the conclusion.

As stated previously, most logical reasoning (arguments) problems possess complete arguments (that is evidence, facts, or opinions and a conclusion) and the question stems then ask you to determine the strengths or weaknesses of the arguments, determine whether the argument is suitable, or utilize the logic employed by the passage to reach a similar conclusion given different evidence.

It is important to understand that some logical reasoning (arguments) problems lack conclusions altogether. Instead, they contain only evidence or facts. The question stems for these types of problems then ask the examinee to deduce answers from the provided evidence or facts. Later articles will identify and discuss the specific types of logical reasoning (arguments) problems.

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