Learning how to identify different situations in order to apply the right problem-solving method is one of the most important aspects of LSAT preparation.
In the logical reasoning and reading comprehension sections, this process is usually straightforward. The situations you have to identify are question types, and since the LSAT generally adheres to a formula for the wording of different question types, all that a test-taker needs to do is be familiar with the formulas for each type.
The logic games, however, are a bit more complicated in that there are two things that one needs to identify. First, you must identify the type of game in order to draw a diagram and then identify the question type for each question.
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As with the other sections, identifying the question type is usually straightforward. Identifying the type of game, however, is often much more difficult — and also extremely important. If you misidentify the type of game, you will almost certainly spend lots of time trying to put together a diagram from scratch, or, even worse, trying to use a diagram that does not usefully represent the information in the game.
The following advice will discuss the three major game types — ordering, grouping and matching — and how to identify each.
Before talking about what to look for, let’s talk about where to find the information that will help you identify what type of game you’re dealing with. The opening paragraph of the game is usually the first and only place you will need to look.
This paragraph will give you most, if not all, the basic parameters of the game, including how many characters, whether there are any groups or characteristics and what you’ll be asked to do with these elements. It is important to read this paragraph very carefully, as any mistake here will likely lead you to create a diagram that is incomplete or overly complicated.
Remember also not to assume anything. If the test doesn’t explicitly tell you something, it is not necessarily true. If you are still uncertain about your identification after reading the first paragraph, read the rules and look at the answers to the questions for further clues.
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Some games will combine two of these three types. For example, if you see that you’re putting characters in order, don’t assume that your identifying work is done yet. You may also have to put these characters into groups or match them with characteristics.
Ordering games: Ordering games, as their name suggests, ask you to put a group into a certain order.
This game type is usually simple to identify. Look for words and phrases like “in order,” “sequence” and “from first to last.” You should also check to make sure you see question rules that tell you about order, such as “X must be before Y,” “Q must be next to R,” or “N cannot be second.”
Finally, if there is a question that asks you for a complete legal scenario — if the game has it, it will always be the first question — look at the answer choices. Each answer choice should be an ordered list of characters.
Grouping games: Similarly, grouping games will ask you to put characters into two or more different groups. Identifying grouping games appears straightforward — and often is — but can often be confused with matching games.
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To avoid confusing the two, always look for the following: each character must go into exactly one group. If it’s possible that any character can go into more than one group, that game is almost certainly a matching game.
This information will be in the first paragraph, before the rules. If you are uncertain about your identification, look for rules that tell you what happens if you put a character in a certain group. These will often take the form of if/then statements such as “If the shark is in the aquarium, then the tuna is not.”
Matching games: Matching games will ask you to match characters with one or more characteristics. Matching games are generally the most difficult of the three groups to identify and are often confused with grouping games.
Sometimes you will be asked to match one set of characters with one set of characteristics, and here you want to make sure that the characteristics can be matched with more than one group. Otherwise, the game is likely a grouping game.
More commonly, you will be asked to match one set of characters with two or more sets of characteristics. In this situation, you can be certain that this is a matching game and not a grouping game.
Which type of logic game do you find most challenging? Let me know in an email or tweet me.
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Identify, Address 3 Types of LSAT Logic Games originally appeared on usnews.com
