[blindlaw] Doing Logic Games Efficiently on LSAT

Thu Dec 4 17:57:41 UTC 2014

There is no "universal" master sketch that works for all games.  Instead,
the type of master sketch you need depends on the type of games you are
dealing with.  There are 4 basic types of logic games that appear on the
LSAT:  sequencing, matching, distribution, and selection.

Sequencing games are the most common on the LSAT.  In fact, you are pretty
much guaranteed to get at least 1 (and sometimes as many as 3) sequencing
games of some kind in every logic games section you encounter.  In these
games, your task is to put elements in a specific order (for example,
arrange 6 horses in a straight line for the start of a race, schedule 7
auditions, rank 8 schools, etc.) For this game type, I recommend a master
sketch consisting of 2 rows.  The top row should contain the slot headings,
while the bottom row should be reserved for entities that can be built
directly into the sketch.  For instance, in a game where you must determine
the order in which 6 singers will perform, create slots 1-6 in the top row
of the sketch, using 1 column for each slot, and if you are given a concrete
rule like "John must always perform second," fill in "J" in the row under
the number "2".

Selection games are the next most common type.  In these games, you are
asked to choose a smaller group from a larger pool (e.g.  4 out of 7 summer
classes, or at least 2, but no more than 5, out of 9 students).  The sketch
for these games is quite straight forward.  All you need is an "in" column
for the items that are selected, and an "out" column for the ones that are
rejected.

Matching and distribution games are similar enough that you can solve them
by using the same master sketch for both.  In both types of games, you are
given at least 2  sets of entities.  In a matching game, you must assign
features to specific entities (e.g.  match cars with available interior
designs).  In distribution games, however, you need to divide entities into
groups (e.g.  assign 9 athletes to 3 teams of 3).  In short, the difference
between matching and distribution games is that in the former, entities may
be reused, whereas in the latter, each entity may be used only once in a
given arrangement.  As far as the sketch, use columns for groups, and put
the members of each group under the corresponding group heading.

Unfortunately, the LSAT also contains hybrid games, which combine the
actions described above in various ways.  For example, a game may first ask
you to pick 6 out of 10 musicians (selection) and then to determine the
order in which they can or must perform (sequencing).  For such games, your
master sketch should be built around the most stable action, which, in the
above example, would be sequencing.

I would be happy to send out sample diagrams, but I don't want to create any
unnecessary confusion.  Therefore, please let me know for which type(s) of
game(s) a spreadsheet with specific examples would be most useful.

-----Original Message-----
From: Anita Keith-Foust [mailto:anitakeithfoust at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2014 10:27 AM
To: 'Kelby Carlson'; 'Blind Law Mailing List'; 'Michal Nowicki'
Cc: AnitaKeithFoust at gmail.com
Subject: RE: [blindlaw] Doing Logic Games Efficiently on LSAT

Michal:

I want to see it too.

Thanks.

Anita Keith-Foust
919-430-1978

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kelby
Carlson via blindlaw
Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2014 11:20 AM
To: Michal Nowicki; Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Doing Logic Games Efficiently on LSAT

Michal,

Could you provide me with an example of a master sketch so I can have a
concrete idea of what you mean when you describe it?

K.

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Michal Nowicki via blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org
To: 'Blind Law Mailing List' <blindlaw at nfbnet.org Date sent: Wed, 03 Dec
2014 17:34:26 -0600
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Doing Logic Games Efficiently on LSAT

Hi all,

First, I would suggest sticking with Excel, as it offers the greatest
flexibility when it comes to manipulating elements.  To save time on the
logic games section, I recommend taking full advantage of the copy/paste
feature.  Specifically, you should be easily able to copy your master sketch
for hypothetical questions.  Depending on whether you prefer the horizontal
or vertical approach, you can select an entire column by pressing "Control"
plus the spacebar, or entire row by pressing "Shift" plus the spacebar, and
you can then extend the selection to adjacent cells by pressing "Shift" plus
the arrow key that corresponds to the direction in which you want to extend
the selection.  After that, you can perform copy and paste commands just as
you would in any other program.  I hope this helps.

Michal

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Anita
Keith-Foust via blindlaw
Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 5:16 PM
To: 'James Fetter'; 'Blind Law Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Doing Logic Games Efficiently on LSAT

Please share.

I would also like to know the answer to this question.

Thank you.

Anita Keith-Foust
919-430-1978

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of James
Fetter via blindlaw
Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 6:09 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindlaw] Doing Logic Games Efficiently on LSAT

Dear all,
I hope this finds you all well and having had a good Thanksgiving.  I am
finding that, although I can do logic games on LSAT practice tests with a
very high degree of accuracy with Excel, I'm having trouble getting the
logic games section done in the allotted time, which for me is 70 minutes (I
requested and received double time for each section).  If anyone knows of
any time efficient methods of diagramming with Excel or some other
accessible product, please let me know.  Please also feel free to write me
directly at jtfetter at yahoo.com.  I apologize if this question has been asked
and answered before.  Thanks.
All Best,
James

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