LSAT PrepTest 43 Section 4 Question 15 Explanation | Logic Games

I didn't write the following blog post. It was already on the blog when I took over the URL. The following blog post may contain mistakes. -Steve

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Here's a Logic Games question from the June 2004 LSAT.

We already did the first question in this game so, fortunately, we can look at the correct answer to that question to help answer this one. S belonged to the private collector and was from the first period in that answer, so we can eliminate choice A here, since it doesn't include S.

Now, let's look at the rules and see if we can get rid of any more choices without diagramming. We know that Z can't be sold to a collector because the first rule says it goes to a museum. So, we can eliminate choice E (since it includes Z). That's all we can do without diagramming.

A diagram should help now, using the same table with symbols (R, S, etc.) as usual, Let's try putting R in the 1st spot of the private collector's paintings, and see if that works. We'll put R first, S second (since it has to be with the private collector and before Z), and Z third with the museum. V will be second with the museum (to satisfy the rule that it must be second), and T in an earlier position than Q:

Museum: T, V, ,Z

Private: R, S, Q

So, since R worked in that position, we can eliminate C, which doesn't include R. Only B and D remain. We'll retool our diagram. Let's try Q in the first position with the private collector so we can either confirm or eliminate D. S will go in the second spot with the collector, etc:

Museum: T, V, Z

Private: Q, S, R

Q works, so we can eliminate B (since it doesn't include Q) and so we know that D is correct.

Take-home points:

1) Try to use some rules to eliminate a few choices without diagramming first, then diagram.

2) Alter your diagram if needed to eliminate more choices.