What is the best way to improve my LSAT Logic Games score? I have recently been taking timed preptests and although the other sections aren’t perfect, I always get through them with time to spare. For the Logic Games section, however, I am always pressed for time and can never finish. I am getting overwhelmed and need help knowing what to do to increase Logic Games skills and score higher on the LG section!
The Analytical Reasoning section of the LSAT (lovingly referred to as the logic games or LG section) can certainly be a huge pain in the ass.
When you first begin studying for the LSAT, logic games is usually the section that feels the most unfamiliar. As a result, logic games is often thought to be the most intimidating and difficult section of the LSAT, especially by those who have yet to effectively prepare for it.
On exam day, I didn’t miss a single LSAT logic games question. Yup, you read that correctly. I earned a perfect score on the logic games section of the LSAT. I was able to accomplish this by making huge improvements in my performance on the logic games section, which ultimately helped me to score a 177 on the real LSAT.
In this article, I’m going to share with you the techniques that I used to improve my LSAT logic games skills. After implementing the logic games study techniques discussed below, I was able to add 7 or 8 points to my overall LSAT score. Learning to dominate the logic games is essential if you want to earn a high LSAT score, but as long as you use the methods in the article, you will learn to boost your logic games performance!
If you aren’t doing as well as you would like to on LSAT Logic Games yet, bookmark this article. Read it now. Re-read it next week. Refer to it as you make progress. Seriously… bookmark it, email it, print it, share it, like it, tweet it, pin it, stumble it, tumble it, reddit it, pocket it, flip it, flop it, twist it, shout it… or… whatever. Whatever it is that you guys are doing these days in order to remind yourselves to revisit a website, do it. Do it now. Just make sure that you Don’t Lose This Article, and you’ll thank me in a few months when you get your real LSAT score back.
Got it bookmarked? Okay, now lets get started…
Don’t despair! – logic games is the most LEARNABLE section of the LSAT. As long as you prepare for LG properly, you should be able to improve your LSAT Logic Games score. In fact, I was able to improve my LSAT logic games score more than any other section of the LSAT.
For starters, I highly recommend getting a copy of the Logic Games Bible (LGB). The LGB is probably the single best resource to use to prep for the analytical reasoning section of the LSAT. Click here for an extensive review of the Logic Games Bible.
However, the LGB isn’t going to help improve your analytical reasoning score too much unless you learn how to use it properly. Many people just go through the LBG from front to back, reading the tips and working through the problems. I don’t think that you will find that very helpful.
Instead, I would start by reading chapter 1 on the basics of logic games and well as the chapter on “Section Strategy and Management.”
Once you are familiar with these basic strategies, it is time to start implementing them. The Logic Games Bible breaks down the analytical reasoning section of the LSAT into four main game types: 1) Basic Linear Games, 2) Advanced Linear Games, 3) Grouping Games, and, 4) Combination Games. There are also a few less common game types that the LGB covers, but these 4 main game types are the most likely to been seen on any given analytical reasoning section of the LSAT.
Start with basic linear games (covered by chapter 2 of the LGB). Basic linear games are usually the easiest, and chapter 2 of the LGB also includes a good amount of general strategy for all analytical reasoning questions, so this is the best game type to start on.
Work your way through the LGB chapter on basic linear games. Make sure that you pay close attention to the diagramming techniques. You want to learn to become VERY CONSISTENT in how you diagram each game. A proper diagram/setup is the key to quickly and accurately answering the analytical reasoning questions that follow.
Once you have worked your way through Chapter 2 on basic linear games, don’t move on to advanced linear games just yet. First, you need to spend time drilling basic linear games in order to solidify the concepts, improve your diagramming technique, and master the basic linear game type.
The appendix of the LGB has a great tool to help you drill a specific game type: the “comprehensive game classification guide” (Appendix One on page 223 of my copy of the LGB). Go through and make a list of at least 20-30 basic linear games from earlier preptests that you have on hand. Check the following link to make sure you have older LSAT tests: List of Every Actual, Official LSAT Preptest.
Then, sit down and drill yourself on that game type only. Don’t work through full preptests, Don’t work through full analytical reasoning sections, Don’t even work on advanced linear games at this point. Instead, JUST focus on working through dozens of basic linear games.
For each basic linear game that you work on, time yourself, keep a log, focus on developing a methodical and consistent approach to diagramming. Implement the skills that you learned as you worked through the first couple chapters in the LGB. Work on basic linear games pulled from the analytical reasoning sections of various preptests, reviewing after each game, until you are comfortable with basic linear games and can finish them in under 8:30 without missing any questions.
If you are missing questions, make a note in your log of what type of question you missed. Also carefully look over your diagram. Did you make a mistake in your diagram? Was your diagram incomplete?
Once you have mastered the basic logic game type (and only once you have mastered that game type), then move on to the next game type and tackle it in a similar manner.
So crack open the Logic Games Bible and get to work!Click here for Amazon pricing and reviews for the Logic Games Bible
5 Comments
Hi Joshua,
I’ve almost gone though Power Score LG, but as you described precisely,
“Many people just go through the LBG from front to back, reading the tips and working through the problems. I don’t think that you will find that very helpful.” This is how I feel.
I wish I had found out this article way before, but at least now I know.
I think I’d better stop what I’ve been doing and going back to drilling a basic linear. Do you think I should basically restart again? i.e., reading the prep book and doing the older prep tests and moving on to the advanced linear and so on.
I’ve got really serious about studying in January and almost spent a month to go though the prep book. Given that I’m working full-time it sort of hurts me to think that all those early morning studying time would go waste, BUT I do think I just gotta follow your way starting from now. Or any other suggestion? I’d really appreciate!
and most importantly, thank you so much for creating this awesome blog.
it’s so motivating and resourceful. I literally have no one around me, to talk about this stuff, so I was really happy to find out this among so much info on the internet.
Does anyone happen to have a list that categorizes 20-30 questions of the four main types of Logic Games? I would be eternally grateful.
Now i am referring to the Basic linear section … not the advanced and the others
Hi Mr. Craven, Bree again. Now i have improved in the amounts of logic games I get right… but my time is still what bothers me a lot … I can do about 4 out of 5 questions in 8.45 min and 3 out of 6 and 3 out of 7 in the same amount of time.. how can i possibly improve my time!!! I understand the games a lot more now, but i still feel like i am spending too much time on each question i answer and get right.. how can i change this?
Thanks a lot… I definitely did bookmark the page. I will be taking the LSAT in October and have begun studying for the LSAT now… The logic section has been the most frustrating and I am planning on using your tips as I continue!