LSAT Prep Study Plan: Logic Games Schedule

LSAT Prep Study Plan Logic Games ScheduleThis page lists all the Logic Games articles you should read toward the beginning of your prep.

I've listed them in the specific order in which you should read them, along with the relevant Logic Games you should complete from The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests.

Use my LSAT Logic Games Cheat Sheet as a quick-reference, and you can use my Logic Games Guide and Mastering Logic Games for extra LG guidance and a focus on question-solving strategies.

Also consider doing some sudoku puzzles. They're a nice break from actual LSAT Logic Games, but they still allow you to practice LSAT-style deductions. This game is good, too.

This is all meant to accompany the initial Logic Games portion of my LSAT study schedules, while giving you more specific guidance on when to read which blog post and when to do each Logic Game.

Enjoy!



Read the following before starting LSAT Logic Games:

Learn about (the lack of) scratch paper in Logic Games:

Scratch Paper on LSAT Logic Games?

LSAT Logic Games Section - Scrap Paper Not Allowed


Learn some Logic Games vocabulary and conditional indicator words:

LSAT Logic Games Vocabulary Words and Phrases


LSAT Words: "Except" "unless" "until" and "without" mean...

LSAT Logic | Necessary vs Sufficient Conditions


General tips on approaching the Logic Games section:

How I Learned to Love LSAT Logic Games

How to Ace LSAT Logic Games | 7 Habits

5 Reasons I Secretly Enjoy Logic Games


Starting LSAT Logic Games

The following lists of games are taken from my Logic Games categorization. Read the categorization in order to understand what the different categories mean.

Along the lines of what I recommend in my more popular LSAT study schedules, I'm including every game from PrepTests 29-38 (and no others). I've presented the games in a rough order of difficulty within each of the categories. All page numbers are from the newer edition of The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests. (If you're using the older edition, subtract 8 from each page # below.)

Feel free to complete more games from the Logic Games categorization if you want more practice.

(I refer to PrepTests by # rather than date. If your materials refer to them by date, use LSAT PrepTests and Dates Administered to translate dates into #s.)

(Please note: For any of the free Logic Games on the blog, you can also download them as one big free LSAT Logic Games PDF.)


Relative Ordering/Sequencing (aka Pure Sequencing)

Complete my Free LSAT Logic Game | Pure Sequencing, then read this step-by-step explanation and this other explanation (Logic Games Pure Sequencing Diagram | Explanation).

Complete the following Pure Sequencing Logic Games, in this order:

PrepTest 38, Game 1 - p. 330
PrepTest 33, Game 1 - p. 176
PrepTest 29, Game 3 - p. 34
PrepTest 29, Game 4 - p. 35


Strict Ordering/Sequencing (aka Basic Linear)

Complete my Basic Linear Logic Game (this: Free LSAT Logic Games | Linear | Easy Version and/or this: Free LSAT Logic Games | Linear | Difficult Version), then read this step-by-step explanation for it.

Then read:

Logic Game | Basic and Advanced Linear | Limited Options


Then complete the following Basic Linear Logic Games, in this order:

PrepTest 30, Game 4 - p. 53
PrepTest 34, Game 3 - p. 212
PrepTest 31, Game 3 - p. 86
PrepTest 34, Game 2 - p. 211
PrepTest 35, Game 4 - p. 239
PrepTest 34, Game 1 - p. 210
PrepTest 37, Game 4 - p. 307
PrepTest 32, Game 3 - p. 136


Multi-level Ordering/Sequencing (aka Advanced Linear)

Complete the following Advanced Linear Logic Games, in this order:

PrepTest 36, Game 4 - p. 281
PrepTest 37, Game 2 - p. 305
PrepTest 32, Game 4 - p. 137
PrepTest 36, Game 2 - p. 279
PrepTest 38, Game 2 - p. 331
PrepTest 30, Game 3 - p. 52
PrepTest 31, Game 1 - p. 84
PrepTest 35, Game 3 - p. 238
PrepTest 38, Game 4 - p. 333
PrepTest 36, Game 3 - p. 280 (very difficult)

Then complete my Free LSAT Logic Game | Advanced Linear, and read the explanation.


Grouping: Selection / In-Out

Learn about formal logic in Logic Games:

Conditional Reasoning: Contrapositive, Mistaken Reversal, Mistaken Negation

Logic Games Tips | Conditional Reasoning


Then complete the following Grouping: In-Out / Selection Logic Games, in this order:

PrepTest 33, Game 2 - p. 177 (LSAT Logic Game Explanation: Birds in the Forest | Selection)

Then complete my Free LSAT Logic Game | Grouping: Selection / In-Out, then read my Logic Games Selection | In-Out Diagram Explanation.

PrepTest 36, Game 1 - p. 278
PrepTest 31, Game 2 - p. 85 (very difficult)


The following two are Grouping: In-Out / Selection Logic Games that are different, and easier than, from the ones above.

PrepTest 30, Game 1 - p. 50
PrepTest 35, Game 1 - p. 236


Then complete my Free LSAT Logic Games | Grouping: Selection (Defined), read my Logic Game | Grouping: Selection (Defined) Diagram | Explanation.

Then complete the following two games, both of which have numerical distribution elements:

PrepTest 33, Game 3 - p. 178
PrepTest 32, Game 2 - p. 135

(I've placed PT33, Game 3 first because it's more similar to the game that I've written.)


Grouping: Splitting

Complete my Free LSAT Logic Game | Grouping: Splitting, then read the explanation (LSAT Logic Game Explanation | Grouping: Splitting).

Then complete the following Grouping: Splitting Logic Games, in this order:

PrepTest 29, Game 1 - p. 32
PrepTest 34, Game 4 - p. 213 (very difficult)


Grouping: Matching

Then complete the following Grouping: Matching Logic Games, in this order:

PrepTest 37, Game 1 - p. 304
PrepTest 33, Game 4 - p. 179
PrepTest 38, Game 3 - p. 332
PrepTest 37, Game 3 - p. 306 (very difficult)

Then complete my Free LSAT Logic Games | Grouping: Matching | Templates, then read my Logic Game Grouping: Matching Templates Diagram | Explanation.


Then complete the following Grouping: Matching Logic Game:

PrepTest 35, Game 2 - p. 237

Then complete Free LSAT Logic Game | Grouping: Matching, then read my Logic Games Matching Diagram | Explanation.


Combination

Finally, test your skills by completing the following games that combine elements of different game types:

Grouping: In-and-Out / Grouping: Matching
PrepTest 29, Game 2 - p. 33 (very difficult)

Ordering / Grouping: In-and-Out / Grouping: Matching
PrepTest 31, Game 4 - p. 87

Ordering / Grouping: In-and-Out
PrepTest 32, Game 1 - p. 134
PrepTest 30, Game 2 - p. 51



In between doing everything above, or afterward, check out these lists of Logic Games:

10 Hardest LSAT Logic Games

7 LSAT Logic Games Repeated on Future PrepTests

LSAT Logic Games Practice | 7 Games To Do Before Test Day


After doing everything above, check out my explanations for some recent Logic Games:

LSAT PrepTest Explanations for Logic Games



***

A note on a potential source of confusion

In some cases, I've suggested that you complete the relevant game I've written before you do actual LSAT Logic Games of that type.

In other cases, I've suggested you complete my game after completing at least one actual LSAT Logic Game of the relevant type.

This may lead you to wonder why.

When I initially wrote my own LSAT Logic Games, I intended for most of them to be more difficult than the average LSAT Logic Game.

However, you probably won't want your first game of a particular type to be difficult, so I've placed my tough games a bit later in the list of relevant Logic Games to complete. (For the most part, the placement of my games within the list of games to complete reflects their relative difficulty.)

I've also made available written explanations for actual LSAT Logic Games of each type so you have some guidance as you begin your study of each game type.


Photo by wyrmworld



28 comments:

  1. Hi Steve!

    What are your thoughts on using non-LSAC written questions to simulate the "experimental" nature of the experimental section? I ask this because there are many stories from students who felt sufficiently prepared, but were thrown off by an expermintal section that felt significantly different from the Preptests they were used to seeing. It seems to me that exposing yourself to the less than airtight questions written by certain prep companies could be a useful way to prepare for the sketchy things you might see on an experimental section. But I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Steve,

    First off, thanks for the awesome blog!

    Second...
    From reviewing my wrong answers for Grouping Games in Preptests 29-38, and your explanations to your games, I consistently miss several key inferences in my diagram set up. After reviewing, I understand why the inference is made, but upon encountering a new game I can't always "see" all the inferences.

    Do you have any tips about how to look for inferences beyond the stated rules? Or is the only way to improve on this to keep practising?



    Thank-you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. For some reason the page numbers on my preptests don't seem to line up. Is there a reason for this? I look at test #38 p330 and there is a reading comprehension question rather than a sequencing problem. I'm confused! I want to follow the study plan but I'm trying to figure out how my documents line up with your suggested exercises.

    ReplyDelete
  4. @Jim

    It's an appealing idea, but it has some problems that make it not worth pursuing. LSAT questions on experimental sections tend to be weird in that the average difficulty varies more (in either direction) than the real LSAT sections. It's not significantly different in terms of the tightness of the questions. You'll gain a better understanding of the LSAT's experimental section when you understand its purpose, as well as the variety of problems with fake LSAT questions.


    @Claudia

    Glad you're enjoying the blog!

    Different games have different types of inferences, so this sort of thing is difficult to explain in the abstract. I will say, though, that when you see the same variables in multiple rules, it's likely that you can make some kind of inference by considering those rules simultaneously.


    @Lynn

    You're using the older edition of this book. Subtract 8 from each page number I've listed above, and it'll all match up :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE LOGIC GAMES!
    Steve, are explanations posted for prep tests 29-38? Need to see why I got some q's wrong. Thanks for all your help.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just wanted to express how grateful I am for your blog. It is one of the most complete resources I have found online. I've already gleaned valuable information and figured out which materials/books I should use. I decided just this month to apply for law school for Fall 2011. Applications aren't due until April, so I could have taken the LSAT as late as February. However, there is an early admission/scholarship opportunity for which the application is due January 1. I just switched my test to Oct. from Dec. because I might not get my scores back before Jan. Luckily I got a fee waiver, so I only have to pay the late fee. I realize this is very little time to study, less than a month, but I'm going to try it. I'm using your one-month study schedule. I've gotten perfect on my reading comprehension practice and my logical reasoning looks pretty good, too, so my focus is really the logic games. Fortunately, I used to pick up logic games and puzzle books all the time growing up, which taught me how to diagram. I had no idea I would actually use that again, but the LSAT games are surprisingly similar. I got 19 out of 24 questions on my first practice, and my errors were mostly due to time. I udnerstand all of the problems, but speed is my main issue. Thanks again for your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Steve,

    I am so confused and a bit disheartened--I was on a roll until these two probs came along!!! I got all the problems correct on Prep Test 29, Game # 3. pg. 34 with the exception of # 15 and # 19.

    The correct answer for #15 is E, however D is correct as well...I plugged the variables in and got (S G F H K L J)...how is that any different than (S G F H L K J) for E?

    Also, the correct answer for #19 is D, however A is possible. My variables for A are ( H F G K L S J). What makes E such a better choice?

    Thanks for your help....:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Steve!

    Quick question! For grouping games in/out I'm having trouble applying the chain that you recommended. It's so much faster than power score to use but I have trouble applying it to some questions. I get most of them right but more than one answer seems appealing and I don't see how the chain rules out others. For instance on the complete and accurate list questions as well as others that ask who could be in given a certain condition. Could you help me to understand how to read it better. I've done the first two games listed in your prep order including your game.

    I love this blog! It has given me a lot of direction with my studies and has allowed me to gain more confidence in my testing preparation. Any single course by itself seems incomplete without the valuable insight you have here. Also the questions by type is brilliant and extremely helpful. I could go on and on however I thought I'd pay homage before getting to my question.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have read your rule about reading to the right and also if there is a positive rule followed by a negative that one is out and if the negative rule follows the positive then at least one is in. Is the key to my last question in this distinction?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm confused with the use of neither rules.
    Let's say I have 2 types (used and new) of X/Y variables and the Rule: "If neither type of X is for sale, then new Y is."

    Should I read that as "If neither used X nor new X are for sale (so not used X AND not new X) then new Y is" or would it mean that if used X is for sale but new X is not that Y must be on sale?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi according to the Lsat Bible "pure sequencing" come after Basic Linear and Advance Linear games, but in your blog you say to do it first; any reasons as to why?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Steve,

    I have the same question as Dominique above. However i am only having troubles with question 19 of preptest 29. The answer is D however C seems like the better answer. if French is presented before Latin then we have HFLK and if the korean award is before J then we have HFLKJ and since G cannot go first then it would go last and S would be first SHFLKJ? Am i making an incorrect assumption.

    The right answer is also right. D says that the german award is before the french so we have GFH and the latin award is presented before the japanese so we would have KLJ and since G cannot be first we would have SGFHKLJ.

    Am i doing something wrong?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am finding the same thing as Harman on q 19 section 3 preptest 29? Does anyone have an explanation?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Answer to q 19 section 3 test 29.

    Can't be C because S and G could go at beginning or end.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Does anyone have LSAT PrepTest 35 Logic Game Explanation (Section 3 Questions 18-23). I am totally confused with this one. I truly appreciate any responses. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey Steve,

    I am currently attempting some Qs from the 10 More Official Tests, and one Q totally stumped me. P. 211, Test 24, S2, #8, basic linear.

    The only way I can think of this would be if in (c) Lalitha was really supposed be Olive...but obviously this shakes my core belief in test writers. Help me!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I came across this pair of questions and am trying to figure out what I am missing. Is it glaringly obvious to anyone? Or do you think that maybe some information is missing...?

    I have since read the part of this blog that warns against questions that are not from official tests and will steer clear of these in the future. In the meantime, I'm dying to know what I'm missing here!

    Questions 4 and 5 are based on the following information:

    Quantum, a specialty restaurant, is open for business every Monday through Saturday but is closed Sundays. The restaurant serves only lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, while it serves only dinner on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On days that Quantum is open for business, floors are polished and plants are watered according to the following policies:
    Plants are watered two days each week, but never on consecutive days and never on the same day that floors are polished.
    Floors are polished three days each week, but never on consecutive days and never on the same day that plants are watered.

    4. The restaurant's floors are polished on either

    (A) Tuesday or Wednesday
    (B) Wednesday or Thursday
    (C) Tuesday or Thursday
    (D) Thursday or Friday
    (E) Thursday or Saturday

    5. If dinner is served on a day that plants are watered, which of the following must be true?

    (A) Plants are watered on Tuesday.
    (B) Floors are polished on Wednesday.
    (C) Plants are watered on Wednesday.
    (D) Floors are polished on Thursday.
    (E) Plants are watered on Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
  18. STEVE,

    I cannot thank you enough, I swear if I am ever in NYC, I am taking you out for a drink. You have no idea how much you have helped me in the Logic Games saga of my life.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So for PrepTest 29, Game 3 - p. 34, I don't understand how question 19 is D. If the German award is presented immediately before the French award wouldn't that mean that the German award would be first and that violates the constraints.... Unless I am supposed to infer that Swahili is first. But I just thought E was the better answer.

    ReplyDelete
  20. With (E) you have: HF [ ] GK [ ] J, so the order is not completely determined, since 'S' can go into either slot. With (D) however, since -as you said- 'G' cannot be first, 'S' is forced to be presented first and the order is completely determined: SGFHKLJ.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hey, so I just finished PrepTest 34, Game 2. Or should I say it finished me, because I bombed it. Could anyone possibly offer any advice on even how to set it up, or walk me through it? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  22. So..I got every single one wrong. I always have so much trouble with your games, but it was a good mental workout.

    ReplyDelete
  23. PT 36 game 1, pg 278 has me stuck! Can anyone help?

    ReplyDelete
  24. lol @ takiva - I'm in the same boat as well

    ReplyDelete
  25. ..Definitely would like to see how you would attack game 2 from PT 34

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Steve,

    I was wondering if you posted any logic games explanations for Prep Test 60, 64 and 65?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Steve,

    I have resolved to leave the later games for full-length practice tests and to use the earlier games for practice.

    I effin SUCK at logic games! So, I've taken the time and spent the money to obtain every single printed logic game. Since I love your way of categorizing so much, I am writing to ask whether you'd take the time to categorize logic games 1-38 by type. I WOULD APPRECIATE IMMENSELY!

    Best always,
    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  28. As a company proprietor, you require to have to fret as your translations are done by the appropriate individual that simply not understands the language and game localization services, however likewise provides worth to your service objectives.

    ReplyDelete