Logic games. To many students, in our experience at Blueprint Prep, the name initially seems like a misnomer. How can something having to do with logic (or having to do with the LSAT) be classified as a “game”?

But if there’s any part of the LSAT that doesn't make us at Blueprint Prep want to run bamboo shoots beneath our fingernails, it’s logic games. Even though it’s a relatively fun section, logic games still require some serious preparation.

How to Study for Logic Games

At Blueprint Prep, we believe that logic games can be divided into two main types of games: ordering and grouping. To give a quick overview, ordering games generally involve putting people/objects/esoteric philosophies into order according to a certain set of rules (Bobby can’t come before Sue, Jill can’t come after Gary, Sam can come before Jill or after Gary but not both). Grouping games, on the other hand, involve putting people/objects/arcane evolutionary theories into groups according to, again, a certain set of rules (if Bill is in the group, John is out; if Bob is in, so is Jim). Sounds simple enough, right?

At Blueprint Prep, we generally agree that the concept is pretty simple. But things tend to get interesting when you start having to combine rules and make deductions. Unfortunately, in most games, the rules won’t tell you everything you need to know in order to solve the game quickly. At Blueprint Prep, we recommend spending as much time as possible making deductions based off the rules. That involves combining rules, making diagrams, and understanding what, exactly, each rule means logically. And if that sounds difficult, then congratulations- you’re a rational human being.

The first step in effectively studying for games is writing the rules correctly. At Blueprint Prep we have a system and methodology for writing out the rules that we think works, but really, you just need to work out a consistent system for diagramming that works for you. You could draw pictures of bunnies and sunflowers if that’s what works. It’s just important that you know what everything means.

Once you’ve gotten the rules down, it’s important to incorporate them all into a larger whole. If rules are combinable, combine them (via transitive properties, or what have you). If they are not, try to work them into a larger diagram of the entire game. This is the area that requires the most practice, in our humble opinion at Blueprint Prep. Sometimes making the deductions will involve contraposition, sometimes it will involve combining two seemingly dissimilar rules, sometimes it will involve just thinking really hard until blood starts to bead from your forehead.

Whichever way, make those deductions!

Article edited by Jodi Triplett and Trent Teti of Blueprint Test Preparation. Blueprint Test Preparation is the finest of all purveyors of test preparation because our instructors at Blueprint Prep generally have to carry out various feats of strength to even be considered as instructors at Blueprint Prep.