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How does everyone prefer to go through these games? With the PS method I still miss 1-2 per game and go really slowly, and I tried the Manhattan method but that one doesn't really help my score either. Any suggestions for alternate ways of constructing these diagrams? Thanks!

Here's a solution I typed up from PT42 Game 1. Hope this helps!

These were actually my favorite games once I figured out what worked for me. Instead of doing complex diagrams, I would simply write out every potential member/non-member of the group under the question and circle the "in"s and strike through the "out"s according to the global/local rules.

Example:

ABCDEFG are eligible to go on a field trip.
If A goes, B doesn't go.
If C goes, D goes.
Either F or G goes, but not both.

Local question: If C and F are on the trip, what is the maximum number of students on the trip?

I write out, ABCDEFG.
I circle C and F (bolded here): ABCDEFG
I glance at the rules. D has to go, and G cannot go. I circle/strike through accordingly: ABCDEFG
Then I think as quickly as possible according to the question, and scribble more of those hypotheticals as necessary. Writing them out helps me visualize the problem, see all of the options, and think through them faster than if I was juggling all of the possibilities in my head.

Hope this helps!

sabanist wrote:These were actually my favorite games once I figured out what worked for me. Instead of doing complex diagrams, I would simply write out every potential member/non-member of the group under the question and circle the "in"s and strike through the "out"s according to the global/local rules.

Example:

ABCDEFG are eligible to go on a field trip.
If A goes, B doesn't go.
If C goes, D goes.
Either F or G goes, but not both.

Local question: If C and F are on the trip, what is the maximum number of students on the trip?

I write out, ABCDEFG.
I circle C and F (bolded here): ABCDEFG
I glance at the rules. D has to go, and G cannot go. I circle/strike through accordingly: ABCDEFG
Then I think as quickly as possible according to the question, and scribble more of those hypotheticals as necessary. Writing them out helps me visualize the problem, see all of the options, and think through them faster than if I was juggling all of the possibilities in my head.

Hope this helps!

I do the same for max/mins. It definitely helps.

Honestly, I just number the rules and definitely take notice of any items not constrained by a rule. They'll be important for any min/mix question. I take note of major inferences (A<-/->B), [BC] etc. Other than that I just go through each question. It might seem stupid, but getting your grounding on other games will make these easier. I'll leave in/outs for the end and I'll typically have at least 10-12 minutes to do it which is absolutely plenty of time.

THANKS TO ALL! These comments have been so helpful -- I'm off to drill! You guys are the best.