2.14 - LSAT Mantras

By Brandon Beaver • Published on October 24, 2024
At last, a short and sweet lesson to close out our Core Concepts chapter.
Here are some of my favorite pieces of LSAT advice distilled down into mantras and one-liners. I've broken them out by section for easier reading and they're in no particular order.

Test-wide Advice

  • Yes, you're still going too fast. Slow down.
  • Accuracy beats speed.
  • Your job is NOT to finish the section.
  • Know what you're solving for.
  • Every punctuation mark is an opportunity to pause and reflect.
  • Stick to the text.
  • Don't let answer choices boss you around.
  • Don't do work for wrong answers.
  • Don't pick answers you don't understand.
  • Enjoy eliminating the wrong answers as much as picking the right ones.

Logical Reasoning Mantras

  • Don't read the question first. Start with the passage.
  • Read > understand > respond > attack.
  • Accept premises. Reject (bad) conclusions.
  • Don't do the section backward.
  • Know the difference between an argument and a fact set.
  • If it's objectionable, object!
  • Predict whenever possible.

Reading Comprehension Mantras

  • Every punctuation mark is an opportunity to pause and collect your thoughts.
  • It's about comprehension, not memorization. Learn the difference.
  • Every question is a reflection of the passage's main point.
  • Didn't read it? Don't pick it!
  • Predict, predict, predict!

Logic Games Mantras

  • Yes, you should make worlds on that game.
  • You do NOT need to write down the rules.
  • Making worlds is about eliminating rules not filling out diagrams.
  • Think through each step before you go to diagram it.
  • Don't skip rule subs.
  • When you get stuck, ask yourself who's left and what you know about them.
  • Don't forget about the rules from the passage.
  • Game types are more about selling LSAT prep than helping you master Logic Games.
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That does it for our Core Concepts chapter. Next, we're moving into our section-specific chapters, starting with LR. See you there!

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