overcoming biggest fear with logic games (with 2 weeks left) Forum

[rachue]

i think i've realized my biggest fear for this test: getting an important inference halfway through a LG, or not getting it at all, or applying that key inference in SOME questions but not all, and therefore messing the game all up and/or losing a great amount of time.

i've been drilling for the past 2 weeks or so, probably in the range of 2-3 sets per day, and going over the ones i have trouble with. i'm fine with the sequencing ones, but i have a harder time with grouping (takes me longer to visualize, more likely to miss an inference).

i just did a practice set, and i was -0 for 3 games, and then in the hardest one, which i reserved for last but had ample time to finish (10 min or so), i missed 4 out of the 7. all of this, while thinking i had done fine on it. WTFFFF. then i go back and reread the rules quickly, and realize i had forgotten one of the key inferences while answering some of the ACs (but in other questions, i remembered that key inference for some reason).

am i just a crazy person? am i 22 going on 85 (with alzheimers)? seriously wtf? what should i do with only two weeks left? if i could ace LG, i would just be SO SET. gahh.

[imjustjoking22]

I know exactly how you feel! I mess up rules and lose points that way. I think the best thing we can do is keep drilling and stay calm!!

[aeiouy]

I don't know if this advice will be any good, but on harder problems, I tend to look back on the actual rules from time to time because for some reason, I feel like I can make a connection faster when I look at the written rules as opposed to my notations. This may be time consuming for some, but I always finish games with ample time, so this is what I tend to do.

[rachue]

thanks guys. i'm gonna give your tips a shot.

[ggibelli]

I don't know if this advice will be any good, but on harder problems, I tend to look back on the actual rules from time to time because for some reason, I feel like I can make a connection faster when I look at the written rules as opposed to my notations. This may be time consuming for some, but I always finish games with ample time, so this is what I tend to do.

i do this as well! i think it's worth the extra 5-10 seconds sometimes to glaze of the written rules another time while working through the problems. It is reassuring and also helps see something you may not see in your notations

[barneytrouble]

I don't know if this advice will be any good, but on harder problems, I tend to look back on the actual rules from time to time because for some reason, I feel like I can make a connection faster when I look at the written rules as opposed to my notations. This may be time consuming for some, but I always finish games with ample time, so this is what I tend to do.

I do this as well. Definitely worth it.

Also, when I make a key inference, I add it to the master diagram. At the end of a game, simply check the answers from before you made the inference against the new master diagram. I guess this doesn't help if you completely miss it but a lot of games have at least 1 "what must be true?" type question which is basically giving you another rule, and you can usually get a sub-inference out of this new info.

[bp shinners]

A lot of people just start writing all over the place. Have a plan of attack with how you're going to write stuff out.

For me, I draw a vertical line halfway across the page and write SETUP in large letters on the left side. Any deduction I make from the rules (or an absolute question, if I miss something up front) goes there. Each conditional question gets its own, smaller block on the right side. That way, there's no confusion between questions, and I copy my setup for each conditional, so I can't miss anything I already know.

[LSAT Blog]

A lot of people just start writing all over the place. Have a plan of attack with how you're going to write stuff out.

For me, I draw a vertical line halfway across the page and write SETUP in large letters on the left side. Any deduction I make from the rules (or an absolute question, if I miss something up front) goes there. Each conditional question gets its own, smaller block on the right side. That way, there's no confusion between questions, and I copy my setup for each conditional, so I can't miss anything I already know.

+1

Staying organized is key. It's amazing how little things like this strategy can make a huge difference under timed conditions.

[rachue]

A lot of people just start writing all over the place. Have a plan of attack with how you're going to write stuff out.

For me, I draw a vertical line halfway across the page and write SETUP in large letters on the left side. Any deduction I make from the rules (or an absolute question, if I miss something up front) goes there. Each conditional question gets its own, smaller block on the right side. That way, there's no confusion between questions, and I copy my setup for each conditional, so I can't miss anything I already know.

that's a good point. so do you rewrite the master diagram for each conditional? i try not to bc i think it's sometimes time consuming but then again, sometimes i miss things trying to keep all the details in my head and then end up missing easy points...

[bp shinners]

A lot of people just start writing all over the place. Have a plan of attack with how you're going to write stuff out.

For me, I draw a vertical line halfway across the page and write SETUP in large letters on the left side. Any deduction I make from the rules (or an absolute question, if I miss something up front) goes there. Each conditional question gets its own, smaller block on the right side. That way, there's no confusion between questions, and I copy my setup for each conditional, so I can't miss anything I already know.

that's a good point. so do you rewrite the master diagram for each conditional? i try not to bc i think it's sometimes time consuming but then again, sometimes i miss things trying to keep all the details in my head and then end up missing easy points...

Generally, yes, I rewrite the master for each diagram. Usually, I'll skip a few of the restrictions to save time, making sure to always refer back to them. Sometimes, I'll leave off an option if I think I'll be able to fill it in based on a deduction I end up making (Such as L/M, if I know I'm going to be able to figure out between L and M what is in that slot). However, I've been teaching this for awhile, so I probably have a better sense for what's going to end up filled in just after reading the rules than the average test-taker. When I'm teaching someone 1-on-1, they usually miss something if they don't copy the restrictions over as well. So my rule-of-thumb recommendation would be to copy restrictions over (not options, because you might have to erase on the toilet paper-like LSAT).

[rachue]

A lot of people just start writing all over the place. Have a plan of attack with how you're going to write stuff out.

For me, I draw a vertical line halfway across the page and write SETUP in large letters on the left side. Any deduction I make from the rules (or an absolute question, if I miss something up front) goes there. Each conditional question gets its own, smaller block on the right side. That way, there's no confusion between questions, and I copy my setup for each conditional, so I can't miss anything I already know.

that's a good point. so do you rewrite the master diagram for each conditional? i try not to bc i think it's sometimes time consuming but then again, sometimes i miss things trying to keep all the details in my head and then end up missing easy points...

Generally, yes, I rewrite the master for each diagram. Usually, I'll skip a few of the restrictions to save time, making sure to always refer back to them. Sometimes, I'll leave off an option if I think I'll be able to fill it in based on a deduction I end up making (Such as L/M, if I know I'm going to be able to figure out between L and M what is in that slot). However, I've been teaching this for awhile, so I probably have a better sense for what's going to end up filled in just after reading the rules than the average test-taker. When I'm teaching someone 1-on-1, they usually miss something if they don't copy the restrictions over as well. So my rule-of-thumb recommendation would be to copy restrictions over (not options, because you might have to erase on the toilet paper-like LSAT).

interesting. so the on the real test, they don't give you solid paper? like it rips easily? that stinks...

[bp shinners]

interesting. so the on the real test, they don't give you solid paper? like it rips easily? that stinks...

Yes - don't count on being able to erase easily. The paper will probably tear if you do it too much.

[rachue]

good to know. thanks!