Powerscore Definitions Flashcards
1
Q
Logical Opposite
A
Any statement that contradicts the statement in question. Anything different from the statement.
2
Q
Polar Opposite
A
A statement that contradicts the statement in question as completely as possible.
3
Q
Must be true logical opposite ?
A
Not necessarily true
4
Q
Not necessarily true logical opposite?
A
Must be true
5
Q
Cannot be true logical opposite?
A
Could be true
6
Q
Could be true logical opposite?
A
Cannot be true
7
Q
Global questions definition
A
Broad questions that do not add any new conditions
8
Q
Local questions definition
A
Questions that impose a new condition in addition to the initial rules
9
Q
Linkage Inferences definition
A
Find a variable that appears in at least two rules and then combine them
10
Q
Rule Combinations Inferences definition
A
Look for how two rules interact with each other
11
Q
Restrictions Inferences Definition
A
Look for areas in the game where only a few options exist
12
Q
Dead rule definition
A
One that no longer needs to be actively considered when solving questions or if it is fully encompassed within the diagram
13
Q
Active Rules definition
A
Rules that must still be considered when solving the questions
14
Q
To introduce a sufficient condition:
A
If
When
Whenever
Every
All
Any
People who
In order to
15
Q
To introduce a necessary condition:
A
Then
Only
Only if
Must
Required/preconditioned
Unless
Except
Until
Without
16
Q
Sufficient condition definition
A
An event whose occurrences indicates that a necessary condition must occur
17
Q
Necessary condition definition
A
If it occurs then it is possible that the sufficient condition will occur, but not certain
18
Q
Overlap principle definition
A
When members of two separate variable sets are both assigned into a fixed number of spaces, there will be an overlap between the groups if the sum of the two groups is greater than the total number of spaces
19
Q
Defined grouping game
A
The exact number of variables to be selected is fixed in the scenario or rules
20
Q
Undefined grouping game
A
The number of variables to be selected in the game is not fixed, is only limited by the total number of variables
21
Q
Partially defined grouping game
A
There is a minimum and/or maximum number of variables to be selected, but the exact number of variables selected in a game cannot be determined
22
Q
Defined-Moving grouping games
A
There is an exact number of variables to be selected, but there are still sub-groups within that set that are undefined
23
Q
Defined-fixed grouping games
A
There is no movement within the group or any existing sub-group
24
Q
Double-Not Arrow
A
Used to represent that two variables can never be selected together
25
Double arrow
Represents two variables that must always be together
26
Two scenarios possible under the double arrow
1. A and B are both selected
2. Neither A nor B are selected
27
Double arrow phrase indicators
1. If and only if
2. Vice versa
3. By repeating and reversing the terms
28
Taking the contrapostitive
29
Two-Value Systems: restriction inferences
Occurs in a defined, balanced games that feature two groups and the rules that create powerful inferences
30
Hurdle the Uncertainty
Situations can occur during a game where even though you cannot determine the exact variables being selected, you can “leap” that uncertainty to determine that other variables must be selected
31
Approach for Grouping/Linear Combination Games
1. Focus on the grouping aspect of each game and question first
2. Focus on ordering rules after as much variables have been as isolated as possible
32
Pure Sequencing Game Definition
Are games in which all of the rules are sequential in nature. The primary task is tracking the relative positions of the variables.
33
Pure Sequencing Guidelines (1-5)
1. Use lines to represent relative relationships
2. Unless ties are ruled out by the game then variables can be equal
3. Link variables together that build the most complete chain sequence
4. Always check which variables could be in the first and last positions
5. Use multi-branch verticals to represent variables whose relationship is uncertain
34
Pure Sequencing Guidelines (6-8)
6. Watch out for rules that create two separate, mutually exclusive possibilities
7. Track the appearance of outside restrictions or occupancies by circling the affected variable
8. Physical proximity within the diagram does not indicate an actual relationship
35
Conditional Sequencing
Certain sequential relationships are triggered by other events
36
Standard Conditional Sequencing Example
(D-F) ——> (X-Y)
Contrapositive: (Y-X) ——> (F-D)
37
Mutually Exclusive Outcome Example
Either R is taller than S, or else R is taller than T, but not both
R-S or R-T
38
How to Attack Pattern Games
1. The setup will not have a lot of information
2. Focus on fully understanding the rules
3. Attack any list question first
4. Create one or two hypotheticals to better understand the nature of the rules
5. Seek out the local questions with the greatest amount of information and use those questions to make more hypotheticals
39
How to Identify Pattern Games
1. The game is linear
2. Rules don't name specific variables
3. Rules often involve numbers
4. Setup has no placed or fixed variables
5. There are very few global questions
40
Pattern Game Definition
A linear game that has non-variable-specific rules and setups. Patterns exist within the placement of the variables
41
Circular Linearity Games Definition
Games that consist of a fixed number of variables assigned to spaces distributed around a circle
42
Setup for a circular linearity games
Draw spokes in a circle and each seat is represented by the end of the spoke
43
How to Attack Circular Linearity Games with an even # of variables
Rules involving opposite variables are the most important
44
How to attack Circular Linearity Games with an odd # of variables
Rules involving blocks are the most important and there are no possible opposite variables
45
How to attack Circular Linearity Games with assigned seat number
Remember that the first seat and the last seat are seated next to each other
46
Circular Linearity games phrase “to the left/right of” meaning
This refers to the left or the right of the variable in question , not your left and right
47
Where to place variables in circular linearity games
Place the variables that are known opposites first
48
Mapping Game Definition
A mapping game contains no numerical element
49
Spatial Relations Mapping Game Definition
A mapping game that has rules that do not fix the physical relationships among the variables
50
Best approach for Spatial Relations Mapping Game
Diagram the relationships with arrows or lines
51
Directional Mapping Game Definition
These games involved a fixed point, and all other variables are placed North, East, South, and West of that point
52
Best approach for Directional Mapping Games
Use the fixed center point and draw each of the four quadrants (NE, SE, SW, and NW) around the center point
53
Supplied Diagram Mapping Game Definition
The test makers supply a diagram intended to represent the relationship of the variables
54
Best approach for Supplied Diagram Mapping Games
Plan to quickly redraw it on scratch paper and use it as the centerpiece of the set up
55
Three Questions to Consider when drawing a Mapping Game
1. What is the direction of the connection between the variables?
2. Do the lines have to be straight?
3. Can the lines intersect?
56
Justify question definition
These questions ask you to select an answer that forces a specified result.
57
Justify questions format
The question stem states the desired result and the answers provide possible ways to make the result occur. The correct answer is the one that produces the exact result specified.
58
Steps to attack justify questions
1. Isolate and Understand the result specified in the question
2. Glance at the answer choices to ascertain the general nature of the answers provided
3. Identify any rules or restrictions relevant to elements named in the specified result
4. Look for inferences to those named elements
5. Using the information provided in step 3 and 4, identify any occurrences that would force the desired result
6. Analyze the answer choices, and look for answers that match what was found in step 5
59
Rule Substitution Questions Definition
These questions ask you to first suspend one of the original rules of the game, and then replace that rule with a substitute that has exactly the same effect as the original rule
60
Steps to attack rule substitution questions
1. Isolate the rule being replaced and analyze its effects
2. Identify any rules or restrictions that connect to the rule in question and the variables involved in those rules
3. Move to the answer choices and examine each to see whether it’s effects perfectly match those of the rule in question
61
Incorrect answer choice for rule substitution questions: Rearrangement
These answers feature the exact same variables as the rule in question, but rearrange the relationship
62
Incorrect answer choice for rule substitution questions: Partial Match
These answers match a portion of the effects of the rule, but do not match every part of the rule
63
Incorrect answer choice for rule substitution questions: Additional Effects
These answers create additional restrictions that go beyond the stipulations of the original rule
64
The most likely answer for Substitution questions
It will be either C or D most likely
65
Correct answer choice for rule substitution questions: Restatement
These answers simply restate the original rule in an alternative form
66
Correct answer choice for rule substitution questions: Rule-to-Rule Connections
In these answers, an element mentioned in the original rule (the one being replaced) is connected to another rule that contains that same element
67
Correct answer choice for rule substitution questions: Rule-to-Inference Connections
In these answers, an element mentioned in the original rule (the one being replaced) is connected to another inference that contains that same element
68
Correct answer choice for rule substitution questions: Consequence Connections
These answers have no immediately obvious connection to any of the variables in the original rule, but the rule has consequences on the game and these consequences can be substituted for the rule itself to create the same effect
69
Numerical Distribution Definition
a numerical distribution allocates one set of variables among another set of variables and is a critical element in the game
70
Rule for Numerical Distributions
the numbers add up to an amount equal to the total number of variables in the set being allocated; the number of separate numbers is equal to the number of elements "receiving" the allocated set
71
Steps to Find all the Number Distributions in a Game
1. Satisfy the minimum requirements for the receiver set
2. Examine the remaining or "extra" variables in the allocated set and count the number of ways the remaining variables can be distributed
3. Create a distribution for each configuration in step 2 by adding the minimum requirements to each configuration. Work from the extreme to the "middle".
72
Fixed Numerical Distributions Definition
The allocated set is attached to a specific variable in the receiver set. But for this to occur there must be at least one rule that specifies a relationship among specific variables.
73
How to Recognize Numerical Distributions other than 1-1 Relationships
1. A greater number of variables being distributed over a fewer number of variables. Examples, players to teams
2. Rules that include numbers. Since distributions are numerical in nature, it is necessary that the rules establish those relationships. Look for phrases such as "at least", "exactly", and "at most"
74
Hierarchy of Game Power
Numbers ---> Grouping ---> Linearity (including elements such as Sequencing)
75
Limited Solution Set Games
Certain logic games are so restricted that only a limited number of solutions conform to the rules. The best approach is to diagram each possibility.
76
Identifying the Templates
A form of attacking the game that involves diagraming the major possibility templates, but the exact possibilities within each template are not fully displayed.
77
When is Identifying the templates Approach best
This approach is best for games where two or three major directions appear.
78
identify the Possibilities
A form of attacking the game that involves writing each possible solution to the game is written out.
79
Elements that Help Identify a Limited solution set game
1) Numerical Limitations
2) Duality
3) Overlap Between Rules or Variables
4) Power Blocks
5)Limited Randoms
80
Numerical limitations include
1) A numerical distribution
2) Either a small number of variables or a small number of available spaces
3) A scenario that creates multiple groups and then leaves only one or two spaces available in onr or more of the groups
4) A game that fixes a significant number of variables and leaves only a few free
81
Duality Includes
1) A scenario that creates a two-value system, and then uses conditional rules
2) A rule that creates duality for any variable, such as, "R must be third or fifth"
3) A rules that creates duality for a space such as, "either P or Q must be first"
4) Games where the linear base is divided in half, creating a limited number of spaces on each side
82
Overlap Between Rules or Variables Includes
1) A variable that appears in three or more rules
2) Multiple rules addressing just a limited number of variables
3) A large number of rules
83
Power Blocks Includes
1) One or more sizable or unwieldy blocks. The more blocks present, the more likely the number of solutions is limited
2) Multiple negative blocks
3) A combination of three or more blocks and not blocks
84
Limited randoms means
No randoms are in the game, or a single random is in a game with six or fewer total variables
85
How long is each section of the LSAT
35 minutes
86
How many games are in the logic games section
4 games always
87
How much time per game do you have if you do all four games
8 minutes 45 seconds
88
How much time per game do you have if you do three out of the four games
11 minutes and 40 seconds
89
Timer marking points for doing all four games
Move to game 2 at 8 minutes and 45 seconds
Move to game 3 at 17 minutes and 30 seconds
Move to game 4 at 26 minutes and 15 seconds
90
If you are a strong test taker what letter should you guess at the end of the section
You should quickly look back at your previous answers and use the answer that appears least as your guessing answer choice.
91
Statistically, which answer should you guess for the last question on the section
Either C or D
92
Statistically, which answer should you guess for the last five questions of the logic games section
Pick answer A
93
Statistically, which answer should you guess during the logic games section
Answer B
94
Does the LSAT put the same answer choices in a row
Yes, they have put four same answer choices in a row
95
Endgame strategy
1) When you find an attractive answer, choose it an move on
2) Avoid questions that are designed to be time consuming
- such as 5-if or suspension questions
96
Limited Time Approach
Skim the game scenario and rules, answer any list questions and then answer any attractive question. Don’t try to draw a full diagram.
97
Modified Order Strategy
1. In general, do the questions in the order given
2. Skip certain questions such as global could be true questions
3. Skip all 5 if questions and return to them at the end
4. Answer all questions before doing suspension or rule substitution questions
98
Flawed question Order Strategies
1. Doing local questions first
2. Doing global questions first
99
