Quick answer: Logical Reasoning questions test how you read and judge arguments. There are about a dozen main types, and they fall into a few groups: questions about assumptions, questions that change the strength of an argument, questions about what the text proves, and questions about structure. Logical Reasoning makes up 50 of the 77 scored questions, so it is about two thirds of your score.
LSAT Logical Reasoning Question Types
| Question type | What it asks | Key tool |
|---|---|---|
| Necessary Assumption | What the argument depends on | Negation test |
| Sufficient Assumption | What would prove the conclusion | Bridge the gap |
| Strengthen | What helps the argument | Find the gap |
| Weaken | What hurts the argument | Attack the assumption |
| Flaw | What mistake the argument makes | Name it in plain words |
| Must Be True | What the facts prove | Stay inside the text |
| Inference | What the text supports | Prefer modest answers |
| Main Point | What the conclusion is | Therefore test |
| Parallel Reasoning | Which argument has the same structure | Reduce to a pattern |
| Principle | Which rule fits a case | Check every condition |
| Resolve the Paradox | What explains two clashing facts | Explain both facts |
How to Group the Types
- Assumption family: Necessary Assumption, Sufficient Assumption, Strengthen, Weaken and Flaw all depend on finding the gap in an argument.
- Proof family: Must Be True and Inference ask only what the text supports.
- Structure family: Main Point and Parallel Reasoning ask how an argument is built.
- Others: Principle and Resolve the Paradox use the same skills in a different way.
Learning the assumption family well helps with many questions at once, because it uses one skill: spotting what the author takes for granted.
How to Study the Question Types
- Learn one type at a time, with untimed practice.
- Keep a wrong answer journal and note the type you missed.
- Use blind review to separate timing problems from understanding problems.
- Mix types, then add timing.
- Track accuracy by section with the section score calculator.
Logical Reasoning FAQ
How many Logical Reasoning questions are on the LSAT?
50 scored questions across two sections, per LSAC.
Which question type should I learn first?
Start with finding conclusions, then assumptions. Those skills support most other types.
Are question types labeled on the test?
No. You identify each one from the wording of the question.
See the full Logical Reasoning guide.
Related LSAT Section Guides
- All LSAT section and question type guides
- LSAT Logical Reasoning guide
- LSAT Reading Comprehension guide
- Reading Comprehension question types
- Necessary assumption questions