Logical reasoning strategies and techniques - Pacing and tim...

Learning Outcomes

After studying this article, you will be able to apply proven pacing strategies and time management techniques to the LSAT Logical Reasoning section. You will know how to determine when to move on from challenging questions, how to allocate your time across the section, and methods to maximize efficiency and accuracy under pressure. You will also understand which practical techniques can help you avoid common timing pitfalls, ensuring that you attempt the maximum number of questions possible within the set time limits.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT, you are required to use effective time management in the Logical Reasoning section to answer questions accurately and efficiently within strict time constraints. Focus your preparation and practice on:

• optimizing average time spent per Logical Reasoning question
• recognizing high-risk 'time sink' questions and using triage
• employing strategies for question selection and order
• managing skipped and flagged questions during the section
• maintaining accuracy while working quickly
• reviewing and adjusting pacing for different Logical Reasoning question types

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. Roughly how many seconds per question should you aim for on the LSAT Logical Reasoning section?
   1. 40 seconds
   2. 1–1.5 minutes
   3. 3 minutes
   4. No time guideline
2. What is the best action if, after about 75 seconds, you are still unsure on a Logical Reasoning question?
   1. Keep working until you solve it
   2. Make a best-guess, flag, and move on
   3. Leave it unanswered
   4. Always answer in strict order

3. True or false: All Logical Reasoning questions carry the same point value and should be managed for time accordingly.

4. Which of the following is a common cause of running out of time in Logical Reasoning?
   1. Spending several minutes on a single tricky question
   2. Making quick decisions when stuck
   3. Skipping time-consuming questions for later
   4. Using answer elimination methods

Introduction

Effective pacing is a core skill for success on the LSAT Logical Reasoning section. Each section requires you to answer approximately 25 questions in 35 minutes—a pace of just over a minute per question. Managing your time means not only working quickly, but also knowing how to avoid becoming stuck on trap questions, and ensuring that you earn every possible point.

Pacing for Logical Reasoning: Key Principles

To score well, you must attempt all questions and avoid running out of time. Logical Reasoning questions are not strictly ordered by difficulty; easy questions can appear anywhere. Efficient time management gives you the opportunity to identify and answer the highest number of questions correctly.

Average Time Per Question

With 35 minutes for around 25 questions, you have roughly 84 seconds per question. In practice, some questions will take less time, others more.

Key Term: pacing
The active management of your time per question in order to maximize the total number of questions answered within a set period on the LSAT.

Recognizing Time Sinks

Some questions—especially those involving long stimuli or complex parallel reasoning—can consume far more than their fair share of time.

Key Term: time sink
Any question or problem that requires an excessive amount of time and risks derailing overall section timing.

Question Triage and Skipping

Prioritize questions with a higher likelihood of being correct. Don't force yourself to answer every question in strict order if you encounter a lengthy or tricky problem that stalls your progress.

Key Term: question triage
A deliberate strategy of deciding which questions to answer immediately, which to skip, and which to return to if time permits.

Worked Example 1.1

You reach question 18 in Logical Reasoning with 12 minutes remaining. This question is a parallel flaw type, with a long stimulus and answer choices. After 75 seconds, you are still deciding between two options. What should you do?

Answer:
Make your best-guess selection, flag the question, and move to the next. Prolonged indecision reduces time for easier questions with equal value.

Pacing Strategies: Step-by-Step

First Pass: Answer Efficiently, Skip with Discipline

• Work through the section, answering questions confidently and efficiently.
• If you are not close to a final answer after 60–75 seconds, make your best guess, flag the question, and move forward.
• Do not spend more than two minutes on any single question.

Flagging and Returning

Mark questions that consumed extra time or that you found especially challenging. Plan to review these only after attempting all other questions.

Key Term: flagged question
Any question marked for review so it can be revisited if time permits.

Working Out of Order

Order is not enforced on the LSAT: you can skip to any question at any time. Use this to your advantage, tackling easier or shorter questions first if you encounter a question you judge as being particularly involved.

Worked Example 1.2

Early in the section, question 7 is a dense principle/analogy question. Sensing it will be slow, you flag it and go to question 8, which is much shorter. Later, you return to question 7 with a couple of minutes left, and select your best-guess answer.

Answer:
This approach maximizes your attempt of short and straightforward questions, earning more points and reducing lost time.

Process of Elimination

On every Logical Reasoning question, actively eliminate clearly wrong answer choices as you work. This increases the probability of selecting the correct answer even when guessing, and speeds up the decision process.

Key Term: process of elimination
A stepwise technique of crossing off obviously incorrect answers, narrowing the field until the best option remains.

Avoiding Common Pacing Errors

Excessive Time on a Single Question

All questions are worth a single raw score point. Spending three or more minutes on one item will cost you easy points elsewhere.

Exam Warning

Do not let one slow question derail your entire section. Skip, guess, and return if able; every question must receive an answer, even if by quick elimination and best guess.

Losing Track of the Clock

Check your timer every 5–7 questions. If you are falling behind, accelerate your pace or limit flagged questions.

Reviewing and Practicing Pacing

• Practice Logical Reasoning sections under timed conditions, monitoring your average time per question.
• Identify which question types (parallel reasoning, flaw, principle, strengthen, etc.) tend to be slow for you, and develop targeted strategies.
• Practice short pauses if you feel anxiety, as nerves can slow you down and increase careless errors.

Revision Tip

Use full, timed Logical Reasoning practice sections regularly. Record time per question and review your performances for patterns. Adjust your pacing strategy as needed.

Efficient Section Management: Recap Table

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Most Logical Reasoning questions should be answered in 1–1.5 minutes or less.
• Flag, guess, and move on if you are undecided after 75–90 seconds.
• Use triage: skip time-consuming, lengthy, or especially tough questions.
• Each question is worth one point: spend your time for maximum total raw score.
• Use process of elimination on every question for efficiency and accuracy.
• Practice under timed conditions to develop a realistic, reliable sense of pace.
• All questions must receive an answer; never leave a question blank.

Key Terms and Concepts

• pacing
• time sink
• question triage
• flagged question
• process of elimination