Timing on LG Forum

[marklg89]

Hi guys,

I'm taking the June test and was wondering if anybody had any tips regarding time management on the LG section. I have mastered LR and RC in terms of time (by taking 30 min sections), but am having trouble taking the LG sections even in 35 minutes. I usually get a game or two that takes me way long and pushes me 3-5 minutes over. Is constant practice the only remedy to this, or is there other advice out there?

[BigTabacco]

Be very consistent with your marks. Wondering what your shorthand represents is a terrible investment in time. Express your rules clearly, with no ambiguity. My penmanship had to change for the LSAT. Before: K = R, 2 = Z, 5=S, and V=U. Also I frequently equivocated J and G.
Pro Tip: Don't.

Use Spartan Local Diagrams. If you want to embellish a global diagram with numbers and group spots, that's fine, but try to avoid re-printing anything you don't need.
Pro Tip: Put hypothetical diagrams under the global (especially with line or fixed groups) so that the numbers written in the global act like column headings. No re-writing numbers is great on bigger games.

Avoid drawing dashes. This is especially true for sequencing games and groups that are not fixed.

Automatic Actions. Get good and fast about reproducing global data and diagram shape so it can be done mindlessly. If D is in 5, you should never have to think about it.

Contra-positives. Either write them out or get good enough with sufficient-necessary to know them instantly.

Every Game is 4 Spots. Every game breaks down to 3-5 variables which need to be placed. Invest some time looking for a big global deduction, because if the game is hinged on you finding it, and you don't, a 5:00 game becomes 9:15.

Pro Tip: If you're not sure if there is a monster inference, look at the questions. If they give you local data, its less likely a killer master set up is available.

5 Minutes is Worthless. If you have done 3 games in 10 minutes each, the 5 minute buzzer is worthless. It's enough time for a lovely set up, and the first question. Pace yourself so that you don't have 5 minutes with a new game. Either have 7 or 0, this way you can get some points out of setting up a diagram.
Pro Tip: If your strategy is 3/4 games, get good at determining game type vs. your strengths.

Never Guess B. I'm sure it's just me... But I felt like games had either 0 B's or 2-3 B answers.
Pro Tip: Don't listen to that.

5 Second Rule. If your pencil has not written something in 5 seconds, skip it and come back. Sometimes, skip to a new game, and come back. Having content on the back burner MAY be key for you. Or it might send you to the Gambini Academy of Law. Every extra 77.7 seconds you take on one question means guessing on another.
Pro Tip: Be the guy with 10 pencils.

STAEDTLER. Is the best eraser ever. Get one.
Pro Tip: Get six.

Go Fast. Newer games players take time with content they are familiar with, squeezing out every point. Nobody wants to miss a point on game 1, so many people really knock that one out of the park, but it will take them 8:00. If content is easy, work faster. If there's a 1-5 sequencing cake walk, there's going to be a monster game coming, you will need the time.

Rawr.

[GoBroncos22!]

Be very consistent with your marks. Wondering what your shorthand represents is a terrible investment in time. Express your rules clearly, with no ambiguity. My penmanship had to change for the LSAT. Before: K = R, 2 = Z, 5=S, and V=U. Also I frequently equivocated J and G.
Pro Tip: Don't.

Use Spartan Local Diagrams. If you want to embellish a global diagram with numbers and group spots, that's fine, but try to avoid re-printing anything you don't need.
Pro Tip: Put hypothetical diagrams under the global (especially with line or fixed groups) so that the numbers written in the global act like column headings. No re-writing numbers is great on bigger games.

Avoid drawing dashes. This is especially true for sequencing games and groups that are not fixed.

Automatic Actions. Get good and fast about reproducing global data and diagram shape so it can be done mindlessly. If D is in 5, you should never have to think about it.

Contra-positives. Either write them out or get good enough with sufficient-necessary to know them instantly.

Every Game is 4 Spots. Every game breaks down to 3-5 variables which need to be placed. Invest some time looking for a big global deduction, because if the game is hinged on you finding it, and you don't, a 5:00 game becomes 9:15.

Pro Tip: If you're not sure if there is a monster inference, look at the questions. If they give you local data, its less likely a killer master set up is available.

5 Minutes is Worthless. If you have done 3 games in 10 minutes each, the 5 minute buzzer is worthless. It's enough time for a lovely set up, and the first question. Pace yourself so that you don't have 5 minutes with a new game. Either have 7 or 0, this way you can get some points out of setting up a diagram.
Pro Tip: If your strategy is 3/4 games, get good at determining game type vs. your strengths.

Never Guess B. I'm sure it's just me... But I felt like games had either 0 B's or 2-3 B answers.
Pro Tip: Don't listen to that.

5 Second Rule. If your pencil has not written something in 5 seconds, skip it and come back. Sometimes, skip to a new game, and come back. Having content on the back burner MAY be key for you. Or it might send you to the Gambini Academy of Law. Every extra 77.7 seconds you take on one question means guessing on another.
Pro Tip: Be the guy with 10 pencils.

STAEDTLER. Is the best eraser ever. Get one.
Pro Tip: Get six.

Go Fast. Newer games players take time with content they are familiar with, squeezing out every point. Nobody wants to miss a point on game 1, so many people really knock that one out of the park, but it will take them 8:00. If content is easy, work faster. If there's a 1-5 sequencing cake walk, there's going to be a monster game coming, you will need the time.

Rawr.

Wow, that is about some of the best LG tips I have seen. Thanks!

[hellokitty]

I am really terrible at timing on LG as well. Thanks for the awesome input!

[Knock]

Tagged.

Great post and great tips, especially the last one. I wish I had realized this when I took a PT today haha.

[hv1]

The best rule is to drill through each question: understand that each answer that is wrong is wrong because of an inference or rule. That's it.

Take a logic game and go through each question, each answer that is right will be correct via a rule. Right the rule next to each correct answer. The logic games can be done in a very mechnical way.

[primusux]

The best rule is to drill through each question: understand that each answer that is wrong is wrong because of an inference or rule. That's it.

Take a logic game and go through each question, each answer that is right will be correct via a rule. Right the rule next to each correct answer. The logic games can be done in a very mechnical way.

+1. Popping back in here for the first time in a while after submitting apps. LG is hands down the easiest portion of the exam to master in my opinion. You just need to go through every single game available (yes even the old mapping ones) and understand what you're doing right/wrong so you can repeat/not repeat it.

Speed will come with time but not until you understand what it is you're doing. Shoot for -2 to -0 on the section as a whole and you're set.