LSAT 43, Logical Reasoning II, Q22, LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Taking advanced mathematics courses should increase a student's…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Parallel Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Taking a math class will improve your GPA.

REASONING: Those who take math classes have higher GPAs on average.

ANALYSIS: This argument confuses cause and effect. It could be that people who take math classes are smarter on average, which leads to higher GPAs.

It’s like saying that because members of Legion clubs tend to be elderly, you will age rapidly if you join the Legion. Very silly. The correct answer will repeat this error.

That sounds simple, but this is a difficult question. Many of the wrong answer choices seem to follow that reasoning. Note that there is a single cause, and a very definite conclusion.

___________

1. This is a decent argument. It’s hardly saying that if you dye a cat black, it will have black kittens.
2. This is silly, but not in the same way as the stimulus. Water is mixed with alcohol, while math classes are not combined with any other factor.
3. First, there are two factors (carbs and fats). Second, the conclusion is not very strong: “may cause weight gain in some people” versus “mathematics courses should increase a student’s grade point average”.
4. CORRECT. This matches the error exactly. It’s possible that people who buy running shoes do so because they are likely to run a lot. Simply making someone buy running shoes won’t magically make them a runner.
5. This is a plausible connection, and a decent argument.

Recap: The question begins with “Taking advanced mathematics courses should increase a student's”. It is a Flawed Parallel Reasoning question. Learn more about LSAT Flawed Parallel questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.

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