LSAT 61, Logic Game 3, Question 15, LSATHacks

For “cannot be true” questions, you should look for answers which have particularly restricted variables. You can also “soft eliminate” answers that have easy-to-place variables. (see note at end)

T is easy to place. It has no restrictions, except one: if Q is in, then T goes right after Q, like this: QT

So, any answer with T probably doesn’t involve a contradiction. The only way to make one would be to say something like “Q is 2nd and T is 4th”, and that’s too obvious. You can have T in without Q, of course (which is why E works).

So, this means that C-E are unlikely candidates. We should instead look at A and B.

A says to put R immediately before S. That’s hard. S can’t go 2nd or 4th. And if S is 1st, then obviously R can’t go ahead of S.

So we have to put S 3rd, and R 2nd. Next, look for additional deductions. For example, if R is second, we can’t place U (rule 4). 

That leaves only QT (rule 1). But, if RS are in 2 and 3, then QT can’t be placed. They need two consecutive open spaces:

So, A is CORRECT.

But what about B, we didn’t eliminate that. B places S directly before Q. That means we must place T after Q (rule 1). SQT take up three spaces. We can’t place S second (rule 2), so we get this diagram:

We just have to fill 4th. We can place U 4th, so B is an allowable scenario:

Soft Elimination: This is when you conclude that an answer probably isn’t right. You’re not eliminating it, but you are checking other answers first. If you find the right answer, you can move on without 100% disproving the “soft eliminated” answers. 

Quick Jump PT Section Que