[blindlaw] Doing Logic Games Efficiently on LSAT

Wed Dec 10 06:10:40 UTC 2014

Hello,

The method you described is the same that I use in Excel. Were you able to get through all four games using this method?If so, how long did you study the games section before you took the test?

Thanks,
Bruce

> On Dec 4, 2014, at 8:57 AM, Michal Nowicki via blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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