LSAT Logical Reasoning: Overview, Practice Questions, & Expert Tips

The LSAT Logical Reasoning section is one of the most important parts of your LSAT prep, and one of the best places to gain points. This section tests how well you understand arguments, spot hidden assumptions, and decide whether a conclusion is actually supported by the facts. These are the same skills you’ll use every day in law school.

Each Logical Reasoning question asks you to slow down and think carefully about how an argument works. You’re not guessing or memorizing rules. You’re learning to break an argument apart, step by step, and judge whether it makes sense. When you practice these questions the right way, you build strong focus, clear thinking, and better judgment.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the LSAT Logical Reasoning section from start to finish. You’ll learn how the section is structured, the most common question types, expert strategies that actually work, and how to practice effectively so every study session moves your score forward.

Read: LSAT Prep & Study Guide: Best Practices & Free Resources

What Is the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section?

The LSAT Logical Reasoning section measures how well you understand and evaluate arguments. You’ll read short passages and answer questions that test your ability to spot flaws, evaluate assumptions, and decide whether a conclusion actually follows from the facts. Each question asks you to think carefully, break down the argument step by step, and reason like a lawyer.

Most students see 24 to 26 Logical Reasoning questions in a 35-minute section. That means you'll need a clear, repeatable way to break down arguments under time pressure. This section rewards careful thinking, not shortcuts, and it mirrors the kind of reasoning you’ll use constantly in law school.

Why it Matters in LSAT Prep

Logical Reasoning makes up about half of the scored questions on the LSAT, which makes it one of the most important sections to master. For many students, it’s also the most reliable place to improve their scores. When you build strong Logical Reasoning skills, your LSAT prep becomes more focused and efficient. You learn how arguments are structured, why certain answers are tempting but wrong, and how to spot patterns that repeat across question types. These skills shape how you study, review, and make progress throughout your LSAT prep.

Types of Logical Reasoning Questions

To make things easier to follow, the table below breaks down each question type, STEM, how you'll approach it, and the purpose of each question.

Sample LSAT Logical Reasoning Practice Questions

Now, here are the common question types you will encounter.

1. Assumption Required Question

Passage: The recent increase in student loan interest rates will discourage people from going to law school. Therefore, fewer students will attend law school this year.

Question: Which of the following assumptions is required by the argument?

Answer Choices:

A) The increase in student loan rates will affect all potential law students.
B) Student loan rates are the only factor affecting law school attendance.
C) Higher student loan rates will prevent people from attending law school.
D) Law school applicants are primarily concerned about the cost of tuition.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The argument assumes that student loan rates are the main reason people will decide not to attend law school. This assumption is critical for the argument to work. Without this assumption, the argument would fail to connect the increase in loan rates to the predicted drop in law school attendance. The correct answer completely answers the question by showing the missing link in the reasoning. Pay attention to any apparent discrepancy between the premise (increase in loan rates) and the conclusion (fewer students attending), as this assumption fills in the gap.

2. Strengthen Question

Passage: A recent survey shows that 80% of people prefer online shopping to in-person shopping. Based on this survey, we conclude that most people will continue shopping online after the pandemic.

Question: Which of the following would most strengthen the conclusion?

Answer Choices:

A) The survey included responses from people of all age groups.
B) The survey found that people are more likely to buy products they can’t find locally.
C) The survey was conducted during the pandemic.
D) The survey asked respondents about their shopping habits before the pandemic.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Answer choice B strengthens the argument by showing that people’s preference for online shopping is driven by practical needs, such as finding products unavailable locally. This gives more support to the claim that people will continue shopping online after the pandemic. The answer adds weight to the conclusion and helps explain why the preference for online shopping is likely to persist. In this case, the evidence supports the conclusion, making the argument more plausible. The other choices either don’t provide useful evidence or introduce irrelevant details, which is why they don’t strengthen the argument.

3. Inference Question

Passage: A study found that 70% of teenagers use social media every day. Researchers believe that the increased use of social media is connected to a rise in anxiety among teens.

Question: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Answer Choices:

A) Social media causes anxiety in teens.
B) Teens who use social media more often are more likely to experience anxiety.
C) All teens who use social media have anxiety.
D) Anxiety levels have decreased in teens who do not use social media.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The passage does not directly state that social media causes anxiety, but it does suggest a connection between frequent use and higher anxiety levels. B logically follows the information provided and is supported by the study’s findings. The other answers either overstate the passage’s claims or introduce unwarranted conclusions (e.g., C assumes all social media users have anxiety, which is an implausible claim). The correct answer simply draws a reasonable inference based on the facts presented in the passage.

4. Flaw Identification and Logical Fallacies

Passage: The city’s new public transportation system is too expensive to operate, but since it has been working well in other cities, it should work just as well here.

Question: What is the flaw in the argument?

Answer Choices:

A) The argument makes an unwarranted comparison between two different systems.
B) The argument fails to consider the financial costs in other cities.
C) The argument assumes that the new system will work in the city.
D) The argument makes a false dichotomy between two transportation options.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: The flaw in this argument is that it assumes the new transportation system will work in this city just because it worked in other cities. This is a weak comparison, as the two cities may have very different circumstances, and the reasoning fails to address any possible differences in local context. Answer A points out this unwarranted comparison, which makes the argument flawed. This is a common logical fallacy. Pay attention to such comparisons that fail to consider important variables.

5. Argument Construction and Analysis

Passage: The recent study shows that 90% of students who attend after-school tutoring programs improve their grades. Based on this study, we conclude that all students who attend after-school tutoring programs will see improved grades.

Question: Which of the following would most help evaluate the strength of this argument?

Answer Choices:

A) Whether students who attended tutoring programs were motivated to improve their grades.
B) Whether the study considered students who did not attend tutoring.
C) Whether the study focused on students from a variety of schools.
D) Whether students who attended tutoring showed significant improvement over time.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Answer B is the best choice because it directly addresses a critical flaw in the argument: the study focuses only on students who attended tutoring, but fails to compare them to students who didn’t. This is important for determining whether attendance in tutoring programs is truly the cause of the improvement or if other factors might be at play. Without this comparison, the argument lacks crucial context, making it weak. Answer B helps identify a gap that could make the argument more credible by addressing possible alternative explanations.

Expert Tips for Tackling LSAT Logical Reasoning

Now that we’ve reviewed the types and sample questions you’ll face, let’s look at some expert strategies to help you succeed.

Master the Premise-Conclusion Relationship

One of the most important skills in Logical Reasoning is recognizing the relationship between premises and conclusions. Many questions in this section require you to identify the premise, conclusion, and the reasoning that connects them. Break the argument down into two pieces. The premise (supporting evidence) and the conclusion (the main point). This will help you better understand the logic behind the argument.

Recognize Distractors in Answer Choices

LSAT answer choices are designed to be distractors. They often include answers that seem plausible but don’t actually answer the question. To avoid being misled, practice eliminating the answers that don’t directly respond to the passage’s reasoning. Focus on the question and passage to determine the best answer. Any answer that doesn’t directly support or weaken the argument should be ruled out.

Manage Your Time for the Logical Reasoning Section

One of the biggest challenges in the LSAT Logical Reasoning section is managing your time. With 24–26 questions and just 35 minutes to complete them, time management is crucial. Spend no more than 2 minutes on each question. If you’re stuck on one question, move on and come back to it later.

Read: LSAT Study Schedules: 1, 3, & 6-Month Plans

Use the Process of Elimination

This is a well-known and widely used exam strategy. When in doubt, use this process to narrow down your options. Often, LSAT answer choices include one or two answers that are obviously incorrect. Eliminating these choices quickly can help you focus on the best possible answer.

The Bottom Line

To excel on the LSAT Logical Reasoning section, consistency is essential. By practicing regularly, honing your ability to break down arguments, and mastering tactics such as eliminating distractors and identifying premises and conclusions, you will not only enhance your score but also build critical thinking abilities that are required for law school. Stay focused, manage your time wisely, and utilize each practice session to boost your confidence. Success is achievable if you tackle this area with the appropriate mindset and technique.

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Read these next:

• LSAT Reading Comprehension Guide: Tips, Strategies, & Practice
• LSAT Logical Reasoning: Overview, Practice Questions, & Expert Tips
• LSAT Argumentative Writing: Prompts & Expert Tips
• How Many Times Can You Take the LSAT? (& How Long It's Good For)

FAQs

What is Logical Reasoning in the LSAT?

• Logical Reasoning in the LSAT tests your ability to evaluate and analyze arguments. You’ll be asked to identify conclusions, assumptions, flaws, and evidence within passages to determine the validity of the arguments.

Is a 170 on the LSAT hard?

• A 170 on the LSAT is a challenging score, placing you in the top 2-3% of test-takers. It requires strong critical thinking, effective test strategies, and consistent practice across all sections.

How to do well on Logical Reasoning in LSAT?

• To excel in Logical Reasoning, practice regularly with various question types. Focus on identifying argument structure, eliminating clearly wrong answers, and managing your time. Reviewing mistakes will also help you improve your skills.

What's the hardest part of the LSAT?

• The hardest part of the LSAT varies, but many find Logical Reasoning the toughest due to its time pressure and the need to quickly analyze complex arguments and choose the best answer.