logic games "could be true" questions Forum

[unattended bag]

These questions take me way too long to complete. Sometimes I am able to quickly see the inferences, but more often than not I have to create a diagram for each answer choice. Any suggestions on how to approach these questions and solve them quickly?

Thanks in advance

[Hannibal]

The only thing I can say is look at your diagram and cross out any that must be false, which hopefully you have either figured out via inference or can just tell with the blocks.

[dakatz]

Firstly, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS look at your past work first. Every single time you find a good working order, circle it or make some symbol to show that it is a good one. On that same note, make sure to cross out any hypothetical that doesn't work. You can use this, and from time to time, you will be able to confirm an answer choice simply because it has happened some time in a past question. Also, see if you have any deductions on what must be false (since that is the opposite of could be true). Other than that, I try and make a few quick hypos to see if certain answer choices can occur. If nothing else, these hypos can be used to answer future questions that I haven't hit yet.

[Sell Manilla]

If this question appears first: After you finish your diagram, go through the rules one by one, and eliminate questions that can't be true. I got this technique from PowerScore LG Bible. If you haven't read it, do so.

One trick: when this type of question appears first for a game, any given rule generally eliminates no more than one answer. Exceptions are rare. So, if you're on your last game & you're behind on time, move on to the next rule as soon as a rule eliminates one of the possible answers.

[Precessional]

I plot out all the possibilities.

I take the largest block, move them around, and build build branching diagrams off of them. (At least, write them out enough so you wouldn't have to do too much mental juggling to see the variously possible diagrams) It's systematic and fail-proof but maybe too time-consuming.

[gdane]

I plot out all the possibilities.

I take the largest block, move them around, and build build branching diagrams off of them. (At least, write them out enough so you wouldn't have to do too much mental juggling to see the variously possible diagrams) It's systematic and fail-proof but maybe too time-consuming.

No no no no! This is way too time consuming. Identifying the possibilities for one question is not the way to go.

For could be true questions Ive found its best to use the previous questions work to eliminate answers. This almost always works if there are previous questions to work with. If it's the first question then the best thing to do is answer other questions. At the end of the game you should have lots of work to apply to the "could be true" question. Also, using and combining the rules can also help you cross off a few wrong answers.

Good luck!

[northwood]

look to see if there is any repetition in the answer choices. example y could be in 4, g could be in 6 x could be in 4 z could be in 6, s could be in 4. If there are work the game focusing on the specific spaces.

Generally, these could be true questions can be done after you have other previous work. If its the first question, look at the question to see what concrete information you are given ( ex. IF B is in ----). Then use the rules and your deductions to help make the game work.

I highly suggest reading the LGB, or finding a tutor or prep course to help you.

[kazu]

I plot out all the possibilities.

I take the largest block, move them around, and build build branching diagrams off of them. (At least, write them out enough so you wouldn't have to do too much mental juggling to see the variously possible diagrams) It's systematic and fail-proof but maybe too time-consuming.

No no no no! This is way too time consuming. Identifying the possibilities for one question is not the way to go.

For could be true questions Ive found its best to use the previous questions work to eliminate answers. This almost always works if there are previous questions to work with. If it's the first question then the best thing to do is answer other questions. At the end of the game you should have lots of work to apply to the "could be true" question. Also, using and combining the rules can also help you cross off a few wrong answers.

Good luck!

+1. Use the previous questions - I've found that almost always LSAC plans it so that the other questions will help significantly in narrowing down the answer choices.

[Audio Technica Guy]

I think first we need to identify if you're talking about additional information could be true questions or just "which one of the following could be true?"

There are three different could be true questions, and the approach on each is pretty different

1) If X, then which of the following could be true?

2) Which of the following could be a complete and accurate working of the game?

3) Which of the following could be true?

Which of these 3 are you having trouble with?

[unattended bag]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

ATG-

I'm referring to types 1 and 3 that you mentioned. I know that the 2nd type can be solved by comparing the answer choices with the rules of the game. I have trouble with the other types because it's much easier for me to figure out what MUST be true or what CANNOT be true than it is to figure out what could be true.

Thanks again.