Narrowing answer choices down to 2... Forum

[Sandro]

I've gotten to the point where I can almost instantly eliminate 3 of the usual stock wrong answer choices in LR and RC. It seems that in a large portion of my missed questions simply come from not being able to decide with accuracy why one remaining answer choice is wrong and why one is right.

Of the 8 questions I missed on LR and RC combined from Superprep A, half I had narrowed down to the correct answer and one wrong. I know that with time and practice it will naturally come easier to spot the wrong/right answers, but have you guys found any techniques that are useful when you are stuck with two answer choices? Maybe a strategy to analyze the question differently, tests for certain types of questions... anything that will help get the right one instead of the appealing but wrong answer.

[Shrimps]

have you guys found any techniques that are useful when you are stuck with two answer choices? Maybe a strategy to analyze the question differently, tests for certain types of questions...

Supposedly Robin Singh's advice that was posted here today or yesterday: if you don't understand one of the two possible right answer choices, but the other one seems somewhat 'off', there's something that bugs you about it - pick the one you don't understand.

But seriously, the easiest way to answer the question correctly is to understand it.

[09042014]

If I had two seemingly correct answers, I'd start the question over again. You missed something. It's how I got that bear park question right in Sept.

[yoni45]

I've gotten to the point where I can almost instantly eliminate 3 of the usual stock wrong answer choices in LR and RC. It seems that in a large portion of my missed questions simply come from not being able to decide with accuracy why one remaining answer choice is wrong and why one is right.

Something to keep in mind up front -- those last two answer choices are what make the LSAT what it is.

Knocking off 2-3 answer choices is (relatively speaking) easy -- only on some of the toughest questions will you have more answer choices remaining that truly stump you. In other words, working between those two last choices is generally where the real work actually begins -- by contrast, everything upto that point is often a cakewalk.

Now, scenarios of course differ, but if the two answer choices are relatively similar, focus on what actually makes them different -- shifted scopes, force of language, etc. Contrast this with what you specifically require given the question stem.

Further, on args and RC, avoid the tendency to try to figure out which one is right -- given enough time and motive to get the question done, you'll be able to justify anything and everything. Instead, focus on why the wrong answer is wrong. Look for problems, look for issues, look for reasons for why one of the answer choices is wrong. A solid basis for crossing an answer choice off puts you in a far better position to pick the other answer.

Make sure to go over your errors or anything you don't completely understand with a fine-toothed comb -- there should be a reasonable, solid explanation for why every single answer choice is wrong or right. Anything less, and you're wasting your efforts. It can be frustrating at times, but really, it is this final stretch between the two last answers that separates the top scorers from the not-so-much.

[Sandro]

I think what you said about how it would be easier to make an answer wrong rather than spending time making it right. I already can see the language, force, and tone of answer choices making them right/wrong at this point only having taken 7 or 8 full PTs. Hopefully it will begin to become even clearer.