quick follow-up - and your responses to flawed LSAT-style argument

First off, were you able to point out any flaws in that subway ad I shared the other day?

if not........it's ok.

It's hard to look at arguments other people make, expose the gaps, and point out what they failed to consider.

Sometimes you look at an argument and go, "sounds good to me!"

So many people talk about how they "love to argue," but when it comes to studying for the LSAT, they end up arguing with the answer key!

Most people have trouble pointing out the flaws in LSAT arguments - especially when self-studying.

Because it's hard to do it alone!

That's one reason I created the LSAT courses. To walk you through how to deconstruct arguments, point out their flaws, and predict the correct answer - before even LOOKING at the answer key!

So, if you weren't able to come up with any flaws in that argument, give it another shot, then look at what other students came up with (and what I said).

Again, evidence is the correlation (in yellow):

"Kids of teen moms are twice as likely not to graduate than kids whose moms were over age 22."

Conclusion is the text at the top-right:

"I'm twice as likely not to graduate high school because you had me as a teen."

(Note the "because" in the conclusion, which suggests a causal relationship between these two characteristics, even though the evidence is only a correlation.)

What might be some other reasons why there's a correlation between being the child of a teen mom and being less likely to graduate high school?

Here are a few of your responses:

1. "failing to take into account the subjective socioeconomic factors, whether the child grows up in a single-parent family, whether there are substance issues involved, many immigrants have children younger than north americans and they generally dont have access to all the resources that many citizens do"

2. "There could be be other factors, such as a reading disability, why a child may not graduate other than having been born to a a young teen."

3. "neglect to consider the possibility that: the proposed cause and effect are both effects of a third common cause. For example, lack of intellectual curiosity might lead one to have baby young and not pay much attention to the intellectual development of the child. Irrational fear of any sort of commitment might lead people to remain single and assume less responsibility, which is arguably a precondition to accomplish anything that amount to satisfaction."

My response is kind of a combo of the 1st and 3rd above. I'd say that poverty is a potential "3rd variable" that could lead both to teen pregnancies and being less likely to graduate high school.

There are lots of potential holes in this argument, alternative possibilities/explanations, etc. It's ok if your response is different from mine.

Bottom line is, if you take a look at the world around you, you'll find there are TONS of flawed arguments everywhere you look - especially in advertisements and politics :)

After you check your responses against these, reach out and let me know how you did on this. (If enough of you had trouble, maybe I'll send out another exercise like this sometime!)

-Steve

P.S. If you haven't joined the LSAT courses and just want a quick list of some flaws, I put one together here --->

Recommended Resources:

1. LSAT Courses
The best of my LSAT material with exclusive access to attend my Live Online LSAT Master Classes + Q&As, and on-demand video lessons you can watch anytime. Plus, LSAT study plans to keep you on track. Save hundreds of dollars with an LSAT course package.

2. Logical Reasoning Explanations
The explanations that should have come with the LSAT. These don't just fall back on "out of scope," but actually tell you why the wrong answers are wrong, why the right answers are right, and the easiest way to get the correct answer.

3. Logical Reasoning Cheat Sheet
Based on what I'd typically do in college: read what the professor emphasized and condense it all onto a single piece of paper. It gave me a quick reference, making things a lot less threatening and a lot more manageable.

can you find the LSAT flaw in this advertisement?

Whenever I'm on the subway, I can't help analyzing the advertisements and pointing out their flaws...

like this one:

But first, I'll ask you.

What's wrong with this picture?

Maybe you just feel bad for the crying baby (appeal to emotion)...

But there are some major problems with this argument. (It's guilty of at least a few of the flaws in this list.)

Take a few minutes....

xxx

xxxx

xxxxx

xxxxxx

xxxxxxx

xxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Did you try to figure it out?

Ok.

I'll trust that you did.

Now, let's break it down, evidence-conclusion style:

Evidence is the correlation (in yellow):

"Kids of teen moms are twice as likely not to graduate than kids whose moms were over age 22."

Conclusion is the text at the top-right:

"I'm twice as likely not to graduate high school because you had me as a teen."

(Note the "because" in the conclusion, which suggests a causal relationship between these two characteristics, even though the evidence is only a correlation.)

What possibilities - what potential alternate causes or explanations - is the subway ad failing to consider as explanations for that relationship?

In other words, what might be some other reasons why there's a correlation between being the child of a teen mom and being less likely to graduate high school?

(If you have trouble thinking of any, then you should consider joining my LSAT courses, where I walk you through TONS of examples in order to show you how to do this ---- quickly.)

Reach out with your ideas. I'll share a few in my next article, and my own thoughts on it.

Until next time....

Steve - Subway Ad Destroyer

P.S. The best responses get a free prize :)

LSAT Reading Comp Passage Explanation

Uncomfortable LSAT Coaching: Slowing Down to Speed Up

LSAT Coaching: Slowing down to speed up

Sometimes LSAT coaching can be uncomfortable for both me and the student. 

But on the other side of that discomfort, success awaits.

And I consider it my job to serve my students rather than please them --

even if it means telling them what they don't expect and don't want to hear.

In this episode, I have one of those conversations with a student, where I suggest she just isn't ready to take the LSAT.

But we get past it, and I help her craft a plan of attack for a future LSAT test date.

Watch the LSAT coaching episode here ---->

LSAT Prep Materials

LSAT Prep Materials:

* Actual Official LSAT PrepTests

* Tablet (for Digital LSAT prep)

* Notebook (for mistake journal)

* Smartphone (for LSAT videos & podcasts)

* Easy LSAT Cheat Sheet PDF (bit.ly/lsatcheatsheet)

Kaplan LSAT Prep Course

Kaplan is one of the worst LSAT prep courses, period. You should never use their materials.

I always review LSAT prep companies with more nuance, but since Kaplan has consistently gotten bad results for my students for so long, I make an exception.

NEVER USE THEM.

Some General Don'ts for LSAT Prep

Don't try to do Logic Games in your head.

Don't highlight or underline on Reading Comp.

Don't take practice tests on consecutive days.

Don't lose hope - mastering the LSAT takes time.

LSAT Prep Red Flags

"I got an old copy of LSAT for Dummies from a friend."

"I know I shouldn't take the LSAT before I'm ready, but I just want to see how I'll do..."

"I can't afford prep books, so I'm just using the free tests on LSAC's site."

"Well, obviously I'm taking a test every day until the exam."

"What do you think of Kaplan?"

#1: What you should really do is GIVE a copy of LSAT for Dummies to an enemy ;)

#2: There is a limit on retakes, and there's no reason to have an unnecessarily low score (or a cancellation) on your record if you can avoid it. Looks better to just have a high score.

#3: Because that would mean studying for the most important test of your academic career with only a few previous exams when your competition is using much more.
It puts you at a severe disadvantage.

#4: Leads to burnout.

#5: Re: Kaplan, here's one of my biggest gripes - read the comments in addition to the article: http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/difference-necessary-sufficient.html

Unpopular LSAT Truths

1. Don't take an LSAT diagnostic test without studying - it's discouraging and a waste of time.

2. Don't try to do it all in 3 months - it takes 5-6 to reach your fullest potential (schedules).

3. Don't bother writing a low LSAT score addendum - retake.

***

Hardly anybody ever wants to hear the above, but it's the truth.

Build the foundation first.

***

Are there exceptions? Of course - all rules have exceptions. But you've got to have a good reason for breaking them.

LSAT Diary: Studying in Korea

“This will too pass”

Each morning, I slowly wake up to my dazzling analog alarm clock I bought a month ago to reorganize my life around LSAT. It was one of my initial investments to win this battle.

As I look out to the window from my cozy room at the dormitory of the school I work at, I could feel and shiver at the bitter cold without a step outside. The winter has once again have arrived here in Korea and my life without a warning. This will be surprisingly my 27th winter. Each winter, though it seems so long and sometimes brutally cold, thankfully I have survived each one.

For first two hours my morning, my room is filled with aroma from freshly brewed coffee and voices hovering in the Korean radio. Since students are on break, I am a sole guardian of this dormitory located in the out in the woods. I usually spend another ten minutes starting my car and scraping the freshly built snow pile on my car. After being greeted by two dogs and cats which I find it grateful since there are no signs of people in the area, I drive out into a small city’s library located 12 miles away from my school to start another battle within me.

There, I found my sweet spot to engage this brutal winter of mine, LSAT. The toughest about this exam is that though I am planting the seeds constantly, I see no signs of fruits or life. Yet, I am here at the library once again writing up this diary and hopefully I could endure another 10 hour study day at the library.

What keeps me going though is my mom. Her endless support and encouragement has been overflowing with love. Though sometimes I feel anxious not to let her down, I know that she loves me no matter the result of this test. Most importantly, my calling to defend the weak and be a voice for the voiceless and orphans and widows have been my fuel in this journey.

I am learning to self-government and understand how to manage a day. What it means to take care of my mind and physical body to endure a long lasting battle. I am also thankful for this opportunity to write a diary for Steve’s blog and at same time it gives me a sense of accountability and a time to reflect my journey. Most importantly, knowing and accepting my true identity as a person and not by a score or an admission to a school or a bar exam is foremost.

LSAT Diary: Kate, Former Kaplan LSAT Course Student

Kate: I'm so glad to hear that you found the blog and everything useful. Congrats on your 20-point increase and all your law school acceptances!

***

Kate's LSAT Diary (posted on the LSAT Blog Facebook Page):

Hello all, I am Kate from Texas. My law school quest has actually been quite a struggle. I have tried twice now to take the LSAT. The first time was a complete disaster. The second attempt was a success, thanks to several factors, one of which was Steve and his clear outlines and techniques.

I have tried several LSAT classes including Kaplan’s Premier online course as well as Kaplan’s instructor led course. If you have already taken a course or have even looked into taking a course you know how expensive it can be. Mine, when all was said and done was over $6000.00 in tuition and fees.

While Kaplan’s materials and basic methods were helpful, they did not do well when asked to explain anything. I remember very clearly asking my instructor to define “outside the scope” and how to recognize the “scope shift” to which she replied that I was supposed to know it because the answer key “said so.” Later she came up to me and told me that she thought I might need special tutoring because I did not understand the concepts fast enough. Needless to say I did not do well on that first LSAT.

However, I found that Steve differs greatly when it comes to explaining basic concepts. He very clearly lays a foundation on which you can build your training. Ok really, everyone learns differently, and at their own pace. Steve provided several different options ranging from multi-month study outlines, recommending certain texts over others and giving specific explanation as to why, weekly blogs that review requested material, outlines of every problem on every test and how it is solved, and of course tutoring.

I raised my LSAT score over 20 points by using the resources available to me via Steve, study and hard work. I have been accepted to several schools across the country. Now my decision is accepting one of them.

Want to increase your LSAT score? Get my free Easy LSAT Cheat Sheet today.

LSAT Blog: LSAT Unplugged YouTube / Podcast

Pages