Negation of strengthen/weaken answer choices?

[lsatstudent99966]

I know this is probably an uncommon technique, but I've heard people say that the negation test also works on strengthen/weaken questions. If we negate an answer choice that strengthens the stimulus, the result will weaken the stimulus; if we negate an answer choice that weakens the stimulus, the result will strengthen the stimulus.

My question is, if we negate an answer choice that is irrelevant to the stimulus (one that neither strengthens nor weakens the stimulus), will the result of the negation also always be irrelevant to the stimulus?

I think the negation to an irrelevant answer choice should also produce an irrelevant result to the stimulus. And I don't think there is any logical exception to this. But I still look forward to confirming this.

Thanks in advance!

[Dave Killoran]

The broad truth is that the negation test can at times work on other question types (namely Strengthen, Weaken, Justify), but it doesn't always work and I want to give student techniques that are bulletproof whenever possible. So, in writing the books and courses I didn't recommend using this technique except exactly where it always works: on Necessary Assumption questions. Limit the use to that and it will never fail

Thanks!

[lsatstudent99966]

The broad truth is that the negation test can at times work on other question types (namely Strengthen, Weaken, Justify), but it doesn't always work and I want to give student techniques that are bulletproof whenever possible. So, in writing the books and courses I didn't recommend using this technique except exactly where it always works: on Necessary Assumption questions. Limit the use to that and it will never fail

Thanks!

Thanks a lot Dave! I'll stick with this method!

[nikota]

How can the negation test be effectively applied to strengthen or weaken questions in logical reasoning, and what are the implications of negating answer choices in relation to the original stimulus?

[Dave Killoran]

If you read my response above, you'll see I don't recommend applying it in those circumstances since it does not always work. The implications are that if you apply it incorrectly, you will miss questions

Thanks!