I only know how to brute force logic games (plug and chug) What is a better way to address this section? Forum

[EbisuMae]

Hey guys,

As the topic title suggests, I started learning logic games with zero understanding of how they actually work (without a book or any learning material). As you might be able to guess, this led me to just repetitively plug and chug hypotheticals into every question and it has now become a habit.

I am trying to find a better method as I now run far overtime because I take so long drawing out the choices.

I hear people talking about "inferences" and diagramming but I truly don't know what this is/how to incorporate it correctly. Is it basically combining rules and trying to find shortcuts to the answers? Should I be able to tell the answers from just looking at the questions and not actually drawing anything out?

I apologize if I come off ignorant as I am a newbie and am just trying to get my head around this section. Fortunately, I can usually ace the other two sections. Now if I could only get this one!

I would appreciate any advice one could give me on the best way to approach these games. Thank you.

[brinicolec]

I'd recommend looking into getting the LG Bible. You seem like you could use some guidance. It'll give you diagramming tips and tips on making inferences. There's also drills in there to help you learn to diagram/make inferences. The LSAT Trainer is also a good resource. They have slightly different diagramming techniques, but nothing too drastic.

Additionally, 7sage has free video explanations of like... all LGs and they'll take you through making the inferences/diagramming before going through the questions.

Regarding what inferences are: Basically, making inferences is like you said, tying rules together, not necessarily to get shortcuts to the answers but to figure out where things can be placed. For example, and this is a really basic example, say the rules were like:

J is either first/last.
If J is first, then K is second.
(Conversely, if K is not second, J is not first)

Just based on those two rules, you can create two diagrams. One with J in the first slot and K in the second slot and another with J in the last slot. Note, however, that just because J is in the last slot, that doesn't mean K CANNOT be in the second slot, it simply means it doesn't HAVE to be.

The more inferences you're able to make, the more likely you are to be able to draw out base diagrams that will help you answer questions. Ideally, you shouldn't be drawing out a new diagram for every question (your base diagram, when you're making a lot of solid inferences, should limit some answers), but there's normally some questions that are easier if you redraw (usually ones that include new inferences/rules that aren't included in the prompt).

I hope that helps!

[Barack O'Drama]

Hey guys,

As the topic title suggests, I started learning logic games with zero understanding of how they actually work (without a book or any learning material). As you might be able to guess, this led me to just repetitively plug and chug hypotheticals into every question and it has now become a habit.

I am trying to find a better method as I now run far overtime because I take so long drawing out the choices.

I hear people talking about "inferences" and diagramming but I truly don't know what this is/how to incorporate it correctly. Is it basically combining rules and trying to find shortcuts to the answers? Should I be able to tell the answers from just looking at the questions and not actually drawing anything out?

I apologize if I come off ignorant as I am a newbie and am just trying to get my head around this section. Fortunately, I can usually ace the other two sections. Now if I could only get this one!

I would appreciate any advice one could give me on the best way to approach these games. Thank you.

To answer your question:

Yes, what you've described as inferences is correct. They don't always allow you to solve a problem, but often there will be a "key inference", a very restrictive rule that sort of makes it so you can quickly eliminate wrong answer choices and get to the correct answer.

Sometimes you have to brute force questions, but it should be rare. I might brute force questions 2-3 maximum on an entire section. And when I do I can usually make it so I have already eliminated 1-2 answers due to the information from my inferences. However, sometimes you will have to go through all 5 choices.

You really have to learn to properly diagram and make inferences. See if you can get your hands on a cheap copy of Powerscore Logic Games Bible. Or watch free 7Sage videos online, and learn how to diagram/make inferences properly.

I'd really recommend getting The LG Bible. It is worth it to learn how to properly set the games up. Especially since you have mastered the other sections.

ETA: Sorry I'm always on my iPhone on here and it messes up spelling via autocorrect

[Mikey]

If you're into learning from books, the LG bible as others have said is still a useful guide for many. 7sage video explanations are also extremely useful and, I would say, almost all people studying for the LSAT use them once in a while.

[pittsburghpirates]

You really have two learn to properly diagram and make inferences. See if you can get your hands on a cheap copy of Powerscore Logic Games Bible. Or watch free 7Sage videos online, and learn how to diagram/make inferences properly.

I'd really recommend getting The LG Bible. It is worth it to learn how to properly set the games up. Especially since you have mastered the other sections.

This is spot on. Diagramming in a way that is useful to you is the key to getting through these. I personally liked the Trainer as a base to learn diagramming and liked the LG Bible to get some more advanced techniques (i.e. when to draw two diagrams, etc.). I used a mix of the two techniques because I found that worked for me.

I started out like you trying to brute force the games with hypotheticals or keep things straight in my head. But learning the diagram made it much easier to get the right answers and get them faster. Good luck OP! You are certainly in an enviable position with regard to RC and LR and with a good LG section will be on your way to a great score.