Is there such a thing as a bad question?

[Vy5]

On PT 85.3.22, there is a question that involves a connection between physical labor and consistent exercise and I am unable to resolve the correct answer after consulting a number of explanations and friends as well. If the answer is correct, then it is correct but are there some questions for which one may have to make a leap in logic that may be otherwise unwarranted?

PT 83.3. 24 presents a similar problem to a lesser extent where one must infer based on the statement of large and medium sized tornadoes that small tornadoes remain. Such inferences feel uncomfortable and appear to be quite rare but operating as one would working through other questions these questions would be missed and correct answers at best seemed unremarkable in a testing situation.

Should we come to terms with such things or is there more to learn here?

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Vy5,

If you are asking whether the LSAT ever has a bad or wholly flawed question, the answer is yes. There are multiple instances of questions they pulled prior to score releases, and they did so due to problems with those questions. So we know without any debate that bad questions appear. Now, within released questions have there been bad ones? Yes. There are questions out there without true correct answers. Are the two above part of the group? No, I can see the arguments that are being made for the correct answers above and while I certainly understand that it would be nice to see the problem/answers be tighter, there is still a path of some sort to argue for the credited answer.

But, all the above aside, at the end of the day it doesn't matter: you still will have to answer the questions on the screen as they give them to you, and you can't really debate them during the test. So, just do your best in that moment. Afterwards, you can dispute questions, although the success rate is near zero, which tells you a lot about their ability to defend their views (or ignore contrary views)

[Vy5]

Thanks! I started second guessing myself on recent PTs for q.19-22 and it didn’t work out well so your thinking is wise. The extremely tricky questions as the ones above are pretty rare in my experience. That said, I’m still trying it learn as much as I can from them hoping I see it with as much clarity as you before my exam!

[Dave Killoran]

No problem! The thing I always tell students about this is that if you think you've found a flawed question during the exam, assume you missed something. chances are much higher that you've made an error as opposed to the test makers