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Here's a Logic Games question from the October 2004 LSAT.
Let's make a diagram (the usual table and symbols) and try to violate as many of the answer choices as possible. We want to do that because this is a "must be true" question, and the more answer choices we violate in our diagram, the more choices we can eliminate (because if they had to be true, our correct diagram couldn't violate them). Here's a diagram that fits the rules:
Monday: SH
Tuesday: GK
Wednesday: LP
We couldn't find a way to eliminate A right away, but we got rid of B and D with this diagram. As is often the case on the games, we need to retool our diagram to eliminate more answer choices. Here's another correct diagram that we see will eliminate A:
Monday: LP
Tuesday: SH
Wednesday: GK
It eliminates C also, so all we have left is E, and we know that E is correct.
Remember:
1) A diagram made of a table and symbols will solve most any LSAT game. Use it!
2) Try to violate as many answer choices as you can on "must be true" questions in order to eliminate them, and alter your diagram (in accordance with the rules) to eliminate more answer choices if your first diagram didn't eliminate all the wrong ones. Don't worry if that happens, it's very common and just fine...retooling it will take just a minute.
Whats your opinion on the notion of mental stamina? Like if if someone can do just about any LSAT problem one at a time, but has trouble doing three hours worth, do you think its just a matter of working up to three hours? Did you ever struggle with this? What would you reccomend?
ReplyDeleteOh, you're not alone, I struggled with that to no end. I know I sound like a broken record saying this over and over on this blog, but I think the cure is just taking a lot of tests. It should work itself out over time and you'll get to the beat where the full 4-5 hours (I believe it was) really doesn't feel all that bad.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, even after considerable practice, mental and even physical stamina can be a big problem. But more practice and the natural adrenaline of test day should fix things.
After taking practice tests I was always incredibly tired and worn out, but after taking the real test in October, I felt just fine, like I hadn't done anything at all. That's adrenaline for ya!
I say just take test after test and get used to the extreme demands the LSAT places on a person. Good luck!
Thanks. Do you find that this has helped you in other areas? Like can you do homework for like 3 hours straight without a break?
ReplyDeleteI don't know about stamina, but I think it's made me somewhat smarter, doing all this analytical stuff.
ReplyDelete