1992 Lsat Logic Game - Preptest 6 - Benches Arranged Along A Perimeter Of A Park

In this LSAT logic game eight benches are arranged along a perimeter of a park. The challenge of the test taker is to place three groups of benches that are distinguished by color as well as by their unique variable letter.

As always the test taker should apply the hierarchy of rules to solve the scenarios. This game can best be thought of as a diagramming game. It is representative of earlier LSAT games and one that is unlikely to surface in modern logic games. This logic game is really no different than a circular game. This game is sequential in nature with the only real distinguishing factor between it and a linear game being the fact that the first and last variable of the sequence sit next to one another.

The test taker begins by applying the first order rules that are given. Specifically, the test taker is given T and J. from the variables that are given the test taker should understand that green and pink will occur in rows of three separated by T and U. The test taker should understand the location of T means that the location of U is known indirectly.

At this point the test taker merely distributes what can occur with the green and pink rows. Specifically, the test taker merely alternates K and L which results in the creation of two worlds. At this point the test taker is left only with determining what can occur with X, Y, and Z. The test taker should understand that the fourth order rule confines what can occur where T sits next to L, which is world one. The test taker is advised to create two scenarios and place X in its position.

With regard to World 2 the test taker should not do anything with regard to variables X, Y, and Z as they have no confining rules. Thus, the test taker should understand that any of the three variables can be placed next to one another.

As a preliminary matter the test taker must determine what type of LSAT logic game she is asked to solve. Logic games fall under four broad categories: 1) sequential; 2) grouping; 3) sequential game with grouping aspects; and 4) grouping game with sequential aspects. When the test taker is faced with a sequential game the test taker must quickly ascertain whether the sequential game has any grouping aspects or additional sequential aspects.

When neither grouping aspects nor additional sequential aspects occur, the test taker should understand that she is faced with a sequential game. The test taker should understand that circular sequential game is nothing more than a sequential game occurring around a circle rather than left to right. The key difference between the two is that in a circular game the first and last variable are consecutive.

Once the test taker has determined the type of LSAT logic game that she is asked to solve, the test taker must then decide which solution strategy to employ. Four basic solution strategies are listed as follows in order of solution preference: 1) wholly solved scenarios; 2) intuitively solved scenarios; 3) scenario templates; and 4) nuts and bolts.

A wholly solved scenarios solution strategy occurs when the rules of the logic game allow for the creation of scenarios that show every permutation of the variables and/or groups in the logic game. The test taker employs various distribution strategies and is generally able to create anywhere from four to twelve scenarios. The scenarios are said to be wholly solved due to the fact that there are simply no other possible variations of variables and/or groups in the logic game.

While all games are important to understand this particular type of LSAT logic game is unlikely to occur on the modern LSAT.