Free LSAT resources
Free law school admissions resources

Conditional reasoning

(CondR)

Stimuli that feature conditional and set logic (e.g. A → B, A is true, therefore B is true).

Avg. 4.5 per section
5%
15%
35%
28%
17%

Avg. difficulty: 3.4

Key tactics

  • The Conditional reasoning tag applies to any stimulus that features conditional claims (e.g. if ___, then ____), or claims about sets (e.g. all cats are mammals).
  • Flawed conditional reasoning is one of the most tested concepts on the LSAT, but many stimuli feature valid conditional reasoning patterns as well.
  • Fluency in formal logic diagramming (we call our language "Lawgic") is immensely helpful, both in the learning process and on the test itself.
  • Diagramming takes time to learn, and it's normal for it to feel slow or confusing at first. For most students, it's worth the investment because it builds a deeper understanding of conditional logic that pays off on test day.

Answer choice tips

  • THE important thing to note about conditional claims is not to confuse a sufficient condition for a necessary condition. For example, consider the claim "All my friends are nerds":
  • That claim does NOT mean "All nerds are my friends" nor does it mean "Anyone who is not my friend is not a nerd." Both of these claims confuse a sufficient condition for a necessary condition.
  • Wrong answer will often try to tempt you to confuse a sufficient condition for a necessary condition.

Looking for more?

7Sage offers a full course of video lessons that cover each question type in depth, targeted drills, and performance analytics.

Logical reasoning question types

Alternate explanation Analogy (LR) Argument part Bad authority Causal chain Causal mechanism Causal reasoning Circular reasoning Conditional reasoning Confusing sufficiency and necessity Correlation Diagram? Directionally wrong Eliminating options Equivocation Evaluate Except (LR) Failed alternate explanation False dichotomy Fighting the hypothetical Fill in the blank Flaw or descriptive weakening Illusory inconsistency Inference Internal contradiction Irrelevant corroboration Kick it up Lack of support v. false conclusion Link assumption Main conclusion or main point Math Mental state v. reality Method of reasoning or descriptive Miscellaneous (LR) Misdirected response Most strongly supported Must be false Must be true Necessary assumption Parallel flawed method of reasoning Parallel method of reasoning Part v. whole Phenomenon-hypothesis (LR) Plausibility Point at issue: agree Point at issue: disagree Principle PSA - find or complete the application PSA - find the rule Quantifier Relative v. absolute Resolve reconcile or explain Rule-application Sampling Source attack Strengthen Sufficient assumption Time Unwarranted assumption Value judgment Weaken Weighing factors

Reading comprehension question types

Analogy (RC) Application Art Author’s attitude Author’s perspective Comparative Critique or debate Describe approach Describe organization Describe relationship Except (RC) Humanities Implied Law Logical continuation Main point Meaning in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Miscellaneous (RC) Other’s perspective Phenomenon-hypothesis (RC) Principle or generalization Problem-analysis Purpose in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Purpose of paragraph Purpose of passage Science Single position Spotlight Stated Structure WSE (RC)

Confirm action

Are you sure?