Improving speed on LG section

[lindsayp]

Hi everyone,

I am having trouble finishing all of the questions in the LG section. On average, I can complete maybe half (like 9-11) of the 24 questions in LG. I try to stick to 8:45 min on each question, so I move on to the next game after I have hit *around* that time, even if I haven't answered all the questions.

When I go back and do the section untimed, I am able to answer most of the questions correctly. Therefore, I think my issue is more understanding the inferences quickly rather than not understanding them at all.

Can you recommend methods to improve my speed on this section?

Thanks!

[Robert Carroll]

Lindsay,

There are a few things to keep in mind to improve your performance on Logic Games. First, although you will spend an average of 8 minutes 45 seconds on each game, you need not stop in the middle of a game if you reach that time. In fact, because very often the answer to one question on a single game gives you information that makes further questions easier (sometimes directly feeding you the answer), you're better off spending your time making sure you gave the questions of one game your best effort before moving on. Also, always keep in mind that you can do games and questions within games in any order, so if a particular game seems like it will be trouble, start with the other games first.

Even if this method leaves you less time for any remaining questions, and perhaps leaves you with almost no time for an entire game, by doing the questions relevant to one game at the same time, you'll have inferences and information fresh in your mind so you can apply them to the relevant game right away. If you go to a new game, you have to adapt your thinking to that game and you might lose track of any partial work you did for games you left unfinished.

Another thing to do to increase your efficient answering of the questions is to diagram efficiently. If you see two rules that interact to form a double not-arrow, get that inference right away, and diagram it. Get used to the common ways rules will be phrased, the common ways rules interact with each other, and the common ways you can draw inferences. Practice drawing all the inferences you can, diagramming the relevant information (whether that's a double not-arrow, a not law for a certain variable, or anything else), and being confident that you found all the inferences. With practice you can spend less time pondering the rules and more time going from inference to inference, leaving more time for the questions.

I hope this has helped!

Robert