Logic game time consumption

[reop6780]

Hi,

As much as I like logic games, I am disappointed at the time I take for each game.

It takes 11-12 min. which exceeds around 4 min for each game; I basically cannot even start the last game with this speed in the real test.

Of course, I barely get any single problem wrong with extended time, but as Feb. is approaching I'm getting nervous with time management.

What would be most efficient way to increase time-efficiency?

Should I keep practice timing myself?

The thing about logic game is that there could be many different ways of setting and solving the problems, and it is hard for me to find out what is WRONG with me when I still get the answers correctly.

How would I find out most efficient way of solving the games ?

Should I go back to the rules after timed test and think of other ways to solve them?

I worried of this section the least, and now it has become much bigger issue for me.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Hyun,

Thanks for the message. Speed can be a difficult thing to increase, but in LG there's only one way to go faster: drill on the concepts and actual games repeatedly. Studying concepts is one thing, and if you feel pretty good about the ideas, then it's not the concept that is bothering you, it's the recognition and reaction that's the issue. To solve that, the approach you need to take is to sit down and do each game over and over again, say 5 or 10 times, until you know the game backwards and forwards. You have to drill on every rule, every variable, and every answer choice until you feel like you have fully mastered the game and could teach it back to me flawlessly.

This can be tedious, so it really helps if you have a friend who you can teach each game to (and they can do the same back to you). The goal is simple, though: know the game cold. Once you have that locked down, it will help you recognize those same elements when they appear in other games, leading you to set up the game faster, recognize rule implications more quickly, and solve new games faster.

It's hard work, but once you start doing each game repeatedly and approaching it if you had to teach it, you will see progress.

These following two articles touch on the ideas above, and you may find them helpful:

• The LSAT, Practice, and Over-Practicing
  
  
  LSAT Logic Games Practice Tips

Good luck!

[David Boyle]

Hi,

As much as I like logic games, I am disappointed at the time I take for each game.

It takes 11-12 min. which exceeds around 4 min for each game; I basically cannot even start the last game with this speed in the real test.

Of course, I barely get any single problem wrong with extended time, but as Feb. is approaching I'm getting nervous with time management.

What would be most efficient way to increase time-efficiency?

Should I keep practice timing myself?

The thing about logic game is that there could be many different ways of setting and solving the problems, and it is hard for me to find out what is WRONG with me when I still get the answers correctly.

How would I find out most efficient way of solving the games ?

Should I go back to the rules after timed test and think of other ways to solve them?

I worried of this section the least, and now it has become much bigger issue for me.

Hello reop6780,

There is probably no magic trick to make sure things go better for you on logic games, but yes, do keep practice-timing yourself.
"Should I go back to the rules after timed test and think of other ways to solve them?" That is not a bad idea; try using the theory in the books (which you might have to review), and see, e.g., "Did I use numerical distribution well in this game? Did I use the concept of in-groups and out-groups well in this game? Is there some template I could have made, following some of the main two or three axes in the game?" Etc.
If you keep practice-timing yourself, perhaps you can at least start the fourth game (at the very least, the list question!!), and as time goes on, maybe you can do the whole game, and do it accurately. Keep plugging away! Good luck!!

Hope this helps,
David

[reop6780]

Thank you so much for the replies!

I started reviewing Logic Game bible, and realized how much I forgot about the concepts!

Also, I appreciate the advice and articles of drilling the same game over and over again. It totally makes sense.

Again, thank you!