The Answer Choices

As you know, every LSAT question has five answer choices. After you
complete the problem, you are still not finished! You must properly transfer your
answers from the test booklet to your answer sheet. This is one of the most
important tasks that you must perform during the LSAT, so please take a
moment to review the two answer transferring methods discussed in Chapter
Three:
1. Logical Grouping
This method involves transferring several answer choices at once, at
logical break points throughout each section. This method generally
allows for faster transferring of answers, but some students find they are
more likely to make errors in their transcription.
2. Question By Question
As the name implies, this method involves filling in the answer ovals on
your answer sheet after you complete each individual question. This
method generally consumes more time than the Logical Grouping
method, but it usually produces a higher transfer accuracy rate. If you
use the Logical Grouping method and find yourself making errors, use
this method instead.
Either method is acceptable—practice using each so you can decide which one
works best for you.
Three in a row?
Unlike some standardized tests, the LSAT often has three identical answer
choices to consecutive questions (such as three D’s), and on several occasions,
four identical answer choices in a row have appeared. On the June 1996 LSAT,
six of seven consecutive answer choices in one section were (C). The use of
multiple answer choices in a row is one of the psychological weapons
employed by the test makers to unnerve test takers. Any test taker seeing four
(D)’s in a row on their answer sheet understandably thinks they have made
some type of error, primarily because most tests avoid repetition in correct
answer choices. If you see three or four answer choices in a row, do not become
alarmed, especially if you feel you have been performing well on the section.
We are still waiting for the day that the LSAT has five identical correct answers
in a row, but we will not be surprised when it happens.

The Answer Choices

When we speak of
opposites on the
LSAT, we mean
logical opposites.
For example,
what is the opposite of “wet?” Most people would say “dry.” But, that is the polar
opposite, not the logical opposite. The logical opposite of “wet” is “not wet.” Logical opposites break the topic under discussion into two parts. In this case, everything in the
spectrum of moisture would be classified as either “wet” or “not wet.”
All LSAT questions have five lettered answer choices and each question has
only one correct, or “credited,” response. As with other sections, the correct
answer in a Logical Reasoning question must meet the Uniqueness Rule of
Answer ChoicesTM, which states that “Every correct answer has a unique
logical quality that meets the criteria in the question stem. Every incorrect
answer has the opposite logical quality.” The correctness of the answer choices
themselves conforms to this rule: there is one correct answer choice; the other
four answer choices are the opposite of correct, or incorrect. Consider the
following specific examples:
1. Logical Quality of the Correct Answer: Must Be True
Logical Quality of the Four Incorrect Answers:
the opposite of Must Be True = Not Necessarily True (could be
not necessarily the case or never the case)
2. Logical Quality of the Correct Answer: Strengthen
Logical Quality of the Four Incorrect Answers:
the opposite of Strengthen = not Strengthen (could be neutral or
weaken)
3. Logical Quality of the Correct Answer: Weaken
Logical Quality of the Four Incorrect Answers:
the opposite of Weaken = not Weaken (could be neutral or
strengthen)
Even though there is only one correct answer choice and this answer choice is
unique, you still are faced with a difficult task when attempting to determine
the correct answer. The test makers have the advantage of time and language
on their side. Because identifying the correct answer at first glance can be
quite hard, you must always read all five of the answer choices. Students who
fail to read all five answer choices open themselves up to missing questions
without ever having read the correct answer. There are many classic examples
of Law Services placing highly attractive wrong answer choices just before the
correct answer. If you are going to make the time investment of analyzing the
stimulus and the question stem, you should also make the wise investment of
considering each answer choice.
Primary Objective #7: Always read each of the five answer
choices.
There may be times when you would not read all five answer choices, For
example, if you only have two minutes left in the section and you determine
that answer choice (B) is clearly correct. In that case, you would choose
answer choice (B) and then move on to the next question.
As you read through each answer choice, sort them into contenders and losers.
If an answer choice appears somewhat attractive, interesting, or even
confusing, keep it as a contender and move on to the next answer choice. You
do not want to spend time debating the merits of an answer choice only to find
that the next answer choice is superior. However, if an answer choice
immediately strikes you as incorrect, classify it as a loser and move on. Once
you have evaluated all five answer choices, return to the answer choices that
strike you as most likely to be correct and decide which one is correct.
Primary Objective #8: Separate the answer choices into
Contenders and Losers. After completing this process, review
the contenders and decide which answer is the correct one.
The Contender/Loser separation process is exceedingly important, primarily
because it saves time. Consider two students—1 and 2—who each approach
the same question, one of whom uses the Contender/Loser approach and the
other who does not. Answer choice (D) is correct:
Student 1 (using Contender/Loser)

Flow of information between the stimulus and the answer choices

 Four Families:
Other question type elements will be discussed, most notably question variants
(such as Argument Part questions) and overlays (such as Principle questions).
Those will be discussed in later chapters.
Although each of these question types is distinct, they are related in terms of
the root function you are asked to perform. Questions that appear dissimilar,
such as Must Be True and Method of Reasoning, are actually quite similar
when considered in terms of how you work with the question. All question
types are variations of four main question “families,” and each family is
comprised of question types that are similar to each other.

Family #1, also known as the Must Be or Prove Family, consists of the following question types:
(1) Must Be True
(2) Main Point
(3) Point at Issue
(9) Method of Reasoning
(10) Flaw in the Reasoning
(11) Parallel Reasoning
Family #2, also known as the Help Family, consists of the following question types:
(4) Assumption
(5) Justify the Conclusion
(6) Strengthen/Support
(7) Resolve the Paradox
Family #3, also known as the Hurt Family, consists of the following question type:
(8) Weaken
Family #4, also known as the Disprove Family, consists of the following question type:
(13) Cannot Be True