📘 Introduction
Preparing for the LSAT can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to the Logical Reasoning section, which makes up nearly half of the exam. To help you succeed, we’ve compiled 50 high-quality practice questions with answers and detailed explanations. These questions are designed to mirror real LSAT exam style, focusing on argument analysis, assumptions, flaws, inferences, and strengthening/weakening arguments.
By practicing these questions, you’ll:
- Sharpen your critical reasoning skills.
- Learn how to spot assumptions and logical flaws.
- Build the confidence to handle LSAT’s toughest sections.
LSAT Logical Reasoning – Practice Questions (Batch 1: Q1–50)
Question 1
All cats are mammals. Some mammals are not dogs. Therefore, some cats are not dogs.
Which of the following best describes the reasoning flaw?
A) Mistaking correlation for causation
B) Assuming what is true of some is true of all
C) Invalid conclusion from premises
D) Circular reasoning
Correct Answer: C) Invalid conclusion from premises
Explanation: The conclusion that “some cats are not dogs” does not follow logically. While all cats are mammals and some mammals are not dogs, we cannot infer this about cats specifically.
Question 2
If Company X increases prices, sales will drop. Sales did not drop last quarter.
Which conclusion is most strongly supported?
A) Company X increased prices
B) Company X did not increase prices
C) Company X’s sales always stay constant
D) Price changes do not affect sales
Correct Answer: B) Company X did not increase prices
Explanation: This is a contrapositive logic setup. If price ↑ → sales ↓. Since sales did not ↓, prices must not have ↑.
Question 3
Many students who study 8+ hours daily still fail the LSAT. Therefore, studying long hours is not helpful.
What’s the flaw?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Ignoring alternative explanations
C) False cause
D) Equivocation
Correct Answer: A) Overgeneralization
Explanation: The argument assumes that because some students fail despite studying long hours, studying long hours is ineffective overall. This ignores other factors (study strategy, comprehension, etc.).
Question 4
Everyone who exercises regularly is healthy. John is healthy. Therefore, John must exercise regularly.
What type of flaw is this?
A) False cause
B) Confusing sufficient with necessary condition
C) Causal reasoning
D) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: B) Confusing sufficient with necessary condition
Explanation: Being healthy does not necessarily mean John exercises; there could be other reasons for his health.
Question 5
The local government reported that crime decreased after more streetlights were installed. Therefore, installing streetlights reduces crime.
Which flaw is present?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Post hoc fallacy
C) Strawman
D) False analogy
Correct Answer: B) Post hoc fallacy
Explanation: The argument assumes causation based solely on correlation. Crime could have dropped for other reasons.
Question 6
If the law is just, people will obey it. Many people disobey the law. Therefore, the law is not just.
What flaw does this reasoning contain?
A) False dilemma
B) Denying the antecedent
C) Ad hominem
D) Equivocation
Correct Answer: B) Denying the antecedent
Explanation: The reasoning wrongly assumes that disobedience proves the law unjust. There may be other reasons for disobedience.
Question 7
Some doctors recommend daily exercise. Therefore, all doctors must recommend daily exercise.
Which flaw is committed?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Circular reasoning
C) False analogy
D) Appeal to authority
Correct Answer: A) Overgeneralization
Explanation: The conclusion takes the statement of some and applies it to all.
Question 8
If a person is guilty, they should be punished. Since Mary was punished, she must be guilty.
What flaw is this?
A) Affirming the consequent
B) Denying the antecedent
C) False cause
D) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: A) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: The conclusion assumes that because punishment occurred, guilt must be present, ignoring other reasons for punishment.
Question 9
The newspaper reported fewer car accidents last month. Therefore, drivers must be becoming safer.
What flaw is present?
A) False cause
B) Appeal to tradition
C) Circular reasoning
D) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: A) False cause
Explanation: A decrease in accidents may be due to weather, fewer drivers, or other external factors.
Question 10
Politician: “We must ban video games because they cause violence.”
What flaw is most apparent?
A) Strawman
B) Overgeneralization
C) Causal oversimplification
D) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: C) Causal oversimplification
Explanation: The politician blames one factor (video games) for violence without considering other complex causes.
Question 11
Some people who eat fast food are overweight. Therefore, all overweight people must eat fast food.
What flaw is present?
A) Affirming the consequent
B) False analogy
C) Overgeneralization
D) Slippery slope
Correct Answer: C) Overgeneralization
Explanation: The conclusion wrongly assumes the characteristic of a subset applies to all members of the group.
Question 12
If it rains, the ground will be wet. The ground is wet today, so it must have rained.
What flaw is present?
A) Denying the antecedent
B) Affirming the consequent
C) False cause
D) Circular reasoning
Correct Answer: B) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Wet ground may have other causes (sprinklers, flooding, etc.).
Question 13
The city increased police patrols, and crime decreased. Therefore, the increased patrols caused crime to drop.
What flaw is present?
A) Appeal to tradition
B) Causal oversimplification
C) Circular reasoning
D) False analogy
Correct Answer: B) Causal oversimplification
Explanation: Other factors could explain the drop; correlation alone doesn’t prove causation.
Question 14
Professor: “If students want higher grades, they must study more. Therefore, every student with higher grades studied more.”
Which flaw is committed?
A) Denying the antecedent
B) False analogy
C) Confusing sufficient with necessary condition
D) Circular reasoning
Correct Answer: C) Confusing sufficient with necessary condition
Explanation: High grades could be due to intelligence, prior knowledge, or other factors—not only studying.
Question 15
All squares are rectangles. Some rectangles are not squares. Therefore, some rectangles must not be shapes.
What flaw is present?
A) Invalid conclusion
B) False dilemma
C) Overgeneralization
D) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: A) Invalid conclusion
Explanation: The conclusion contradicts the premise and doesn’t logically follow.
Question 16
Politician: “My opponent argues for environmental policies, but he drives a large car. Therefore, his arguments are false.”
What flaw is most obvious?
A) False analogy
B) Strawman
C) Ad hominem
D) Slippery slope
Correct Answer: C) Ad hominem
Explanation: Attacking the person’s behavior instead of addressing the argument itself.
Question 17
If a law is unfair, people will protest. People are protesting. Therefore, the law must be unfair.
What flaw is committed?
A) Denying the antecedent
B) Affirming the consequent
C) False cause
D) Overgeneralization
Correct Answer: B) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: People may protest for reasons other than unfair laws.
Question 18
Some athletes use supplements. Therefore, all athletes must use supplements.
What flaw is present?
A) False cause
B) Circular reasoning
C) Overgeneralization
D) Appeal to popularity
Correct Answer: C) Overgeneralization
Explanation: The conclusion assumes what is true for some athletes applies to all.
Question 19
Study: “People who drink coffee daily are less likely to develop certain diseases.”
Conclusion: “Drinking coffee prevents those diseases.”
What flaw is present?
A) False cause
B) Overgeneralization
C) Circular reasoning
D) Equivocation
Correct Answer: A) False cause
Explanation: Correlation between coffee and lower disease rates doesn’t prove causation. Other factors (diet, lifestyle) may be responsible.
Question 20
Student: “I failed my exam because the teacher doesn’t like me.”
What reasoning flaw is present?
A) False dilemma
B) Overgeneralization
C) Ad hominem
D) Causal oversimplification
Correct Answer: D) Causal oversimplification
Explanation: The student assumes one simple cause (teacher bias) for failing, ignoring more likely reasons (lack of study, misunderstanding material).
Question 21
Politician: “Either we increase taxes or the economy will collapse.”
What flaw is present?
A) False dilemma
B) Overgeneralization
C) Ad hominem
D) Slippery slope
Correct Answer: A) False dilemma
Explanation: The argument presents only two choices, ignoring other possibilities for economic stability.
Question 22
If John studies, he will pass. John passed, so he must have studied.
What flaw is present?
A) Affirming the consequent
B) Denying the antecedent
C) False cause
D) Circular reasoning
Correct Answer: A) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Passing does not guarantee studying was the cause; John could be naturally skilled.
Question 23
Some cats are black. Therefore, all cats must be black.
What flaw is committed?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Ad hominem
C) False cause
D) Slippery slope
Correct Answer: A) Overgeneralization
Explanation: A conclusion based on a single subset applied to the entire group.
Question 24
Company report: “Sales increased after we hired more staff. Therefore, hiring staff caused the sales increase.”
What flaw is present?
A) False analogy
B) Post hoc fallacy (false cause)
C) Overgeneralization
D) Strawman
Correct Answer: B) Post hoc fallacy (false cause)
Explanation: Sales could have increased for unrelated reasons (seasonal demand, marketing campaigns).
Question 25
If a person is rich, they must be happy. Sarah is rich, so she is happy.
What flaw is committed?
A) Affirming the consequent
B) False analogy
C) Overgeneralization
D) Causal oversimplification
Correct Answer: D) Causal oversimplification
Explanation: Wealth doesn’t automatically ensure happiness; many other factors matter.
Question 26
Doctor: “Since exercise improves health, anyone who doesn’t exercise must be unhealthy.”
What flaw is present?
A) Denying the antecedent
B) Overgeneralization
C) False dilemma
D) Circular reasoning
Correct Answer: A) Denying the antecedent
Explanation: Not exercising doesn’t necessarily mean unhealthy; other habits may support health.
Question 27
All dogs bark. Rex is a dog. Therefore, Rex barks.
What type of reasoning is this?
A) Valid deductive reasoning
B) Overgeneralization
C) Circular reasoning
D) False analogy
Correct Answer: A) Valid deductive reasoning
Explanation: The conclusion logically follows from the premises.
Question 28
Politician: “This new law is bad because it is harmful.”
What flaw is present?
A) Ad hominem
B) Circular reasoning
C) False dilemma
D) Strawman
Correct Answer: B) Circular reasoning
Explanation: The argument restates the claim without providing independent evidence.
Question 29
Teacher: “Students who fail exams are lazy. John failed, so he must be lazy.”
What flaw is present?
A) Ad hominem
B) Overgeneralization
C) False dilemma
D) Slippery slope
Correct Answer: B) Overgeneralization
Explanation: The conclusion applies one cause (laziness) to all exam failures.
Question 30
“Either you support my plan, or you want the city to fail.”
What flaw is committed?
A) False dilemma
B) Ad hominem
C) Circular reasoning
D) Slippery slope
Correct Answer: A) False dilemma
Explanation: The argument unfairly limits choices to only two extremes.
Question 31
Study: “People who sleep less than 6 hours are often tired. Therefore, everyone who is tired must sleep less than 6 hours.”
What flaw is present?
A) Affirming the consequent
B) Overgeneralization
C) Causal oversimplification
D) False analogy
Correct Answer: A) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Tiredness can result from many factors beyond sleep.
Question 32
Athlete: “If I eat a special diet, I will win. I didn’t win, so the diet must be useless.”
What flaw is present?
A) False analogy
B) Denying the antecedent
C) Causal oversimplification
D) Overgeneralization
Correct Answer: B) Denying the antecedent
Explanation: Not winning doesn’t prove the diet was useless; many factors affect performance.
Question 33
Manager: “Every time I wear my lucky tie, sales go up. Therefore, the tie causes sales.”
What flaw is committed?
A) False analogy
B) Overgeneralization
C) False cause
D) Strawman
Correct Answer: C) False cause
Explanation: The relationship is coincidental; the tie has no real influence on sales.
Question 34
“If technology advances, society improves. Society has improved, so technology must have advanced.”
What flaw is present?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Affirming the consequent
C) Causal oversimplification
D) False dilemma
Correct Answer: B) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Society may improve for reasons beyond technology (education, governance).
Question 35
Student: “I got one question wrong, so I must have failed the test.”
What flaw is committed?
A) Overgeneralization
B) False analogy
C) Circular reasoning
D) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: A) Overgeneralization
Explanation: Failing one question doesn’t mean the entire test is failed.
Question 36
Scientist: “Every planet orbits a star. Pluto orbits a star. Therefore, Pluto is a planet.”
What flaw is present?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Affirming the consequent
C) False cause
D) Strawman
Correct Answer: B) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: The reasoning assumes that orbiting a star makes something a planet, ignoring moons and asteroids.
Question 37
“If a medicine is effective, patients recover. Some patients recovered, so the medicine must have been effective.”
What flaw is present?
A) Denying the antecedent
B) False cause
C) Affirming the consequent
D) Overgeneralization
Correct Answer: C) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Recovery could be due to natural immunity or another factor.
Question 38
Politician: “You shouldn’t listen to my opponent because he has been divorced three times.”
What flaw is present?
A) Strawman
B) False cause
C) Ad hominem
D) False dilemma
Correct Answer: C) Ad hominem
Explanation: Attacking personal life instead of addressing argument validity.
Question 39
“All humans are mortal. Socrates is mortal. Therefore, Socrates is human.”
What flaw is committed?
A) Affirming the consequent
B) Denying the antecedent
C) False analogy
D) Overgeneralization
Correct Answer: A) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Being mortal doesn’t mean Socrates must be human (animals are also mortal).
Question 40
“If students work hard, they succeed. Lisa succeeded, so she must have worked hard.”
What flaw is present?
A) Overgeneralization
B) False analogy
C) Affirming the consequent
D) Circular reasoning
Correct Answer: C) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Success could also come from natural ability, luck, or resources.
Question 41
“Either we ban all cars or pollution will destroy the earth.”
What flaw is present?
A) Slippery slope
B) False dilemma
C) Strawman
D) Overgeneralization
Correct Answer: B) False dilemma
Explanation: The argument ignores middle-ground solutions like cleaner fuels or electric vehicles.
Question 42
“If she is a lawyer, she must have studied law. She is not a lawyer, so she did not study law.”
What flaw is present?
A) Denying the antecedent
B) Affirming the consequent
C) Overgeneralization
D) False cause
Correct Answer: A) Denying the antecedent
Explanation: Many who study law do not become lawyers.
Question 43
“Smoking causes lung cancer. My grandfather smoked and lived to 95, so smoking doesn’t cause cancer.”
What flaw is present?
A) False cause
B) Overgeneralization
C) Anecdotal evidence
D) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: C) Anecdotal evidence
Explanation: One case doesn’t disprove scientific evidence about health risks.
Question 44
“Students who cheat should be punished. John cheated, so he should be punished.”
What type of reasoning is this?
A) Valid deductive reasoning
B) Overgeneralization
C) Circular reasoning
D) False analogy
Correct Answer: A) Valid deductive reasoning
Explanation: The conclusion logically follows from the given premises.
Question 45
“If you are tall, you play basketball. Mark is tall, so he must play basketball.”
What flaw is present?
A) False cause
B) Overgeneralization
C) Circular reasoning
D) Affirming the consequent
Correct Answer: B) Overgeneralization
Explanation: Not all tall people play basketball.
Question 46
“Crime rates rose after more police were hired. Therefore, police cause crime.”
What flaw is committed?
A) False cause
B) Overgeneralization
C) Ad hominem
D) Slippery slope
Correct Answer: A) False cause
Explanation: Increased police presence may result from already rising crime, not the other way around.
Question 47
“If the store is open, then the lights are on. The lights are on, so the store is open.”
What flaw is present?
A) Affirming the consequent
B) Denying the antecedent
C) Overgeneralization
D) False analogy
Correct Answer: A) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: The lights being on doesn’t guarantee the store is open (e.g., cleaning staff).
Question 48
“You shouldn’t believe his science research because he failed high school.”
What flaw is committed?
A) False cause
B) Ad hominem
C) Strawman
D) Circular reasoning
Correct Answer: B) Ad hominem
Explanation: Attacks the person’s past instead of evaluating evidence.
Question 49
“If a book is interesting, people will read it. Many people are reading this book, so it must be interesting.”
What flaw is present?
A) Denying the antecedent
B) Overgeneralization
C) Affirming the consequent
D) False cause
Correct Answer: C) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: People may read books for reasons other than interest (class assignments, reviews, peer pressure).
Question 50
“Everyone who wins the lottery buys a ticket. John bought a ticket, so he will win the lottery.”
What flaw is committed?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Circular reasoning
C) False cause
D) Affirming the consequent
Correct Answer: D) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Buying a ticket doesn’t guarantee winning; it only makes winning possible.
🎯 Outro
You’ve just completed the first 50 LSAT Logical Reasoning practice questions. These questions are carefully designed to reflect real exam difficulty while giving you clear explanations to strengthen your reasoning.
👉 Next Step: Practice more with our LSAT Analytical Reasoning to continue sharpening your skills.
Remember, consistent practice is the key to scoring 170+.