Past LSAT Explained/PrepTest 49

Summary As always, test forms for the June 2006 LSAT included an experimental (unscored) section. On most test forms, the experimental section appeared in Section 2. Be aware, however, that LSAC often administers a few selected forms with identical scored sections, but with their experimental sections in a different location. Ratings of this administration placed its difficulty slightly above that of other recent exams. Princeton Review students report being pleased with their overall performance. Games - 22 questions Princeton Review students rated the difficulty of this section as on par with Games sections that have appeared on exams within the past year. In the first game, you had to determine the order in which six foreign language films were shown at a film festival. Twelve films were available, two each in six languages. The second game concerned five types of mail that were delivered to one of three people. The third game asked test takers to determine which of seven courses were offered during a summer term. In the last game, eight computer chips had to be ranked in order from fastest to slowest. Our students found that their familiarity with the games and experience with making deductions helped them set up the games and work the questions efficiently.

Scored Arguments - 25 questions in each section One scored Arguments section had 26 questions, and the other had 25. Test takers rated the 26-question section as harder than the 25-question section. The 26-question section included an unusually large number of long and densely-worded arguments and answer choices, and it had several challenging questions. Test takers cited careful use of process of elimination (POE) as the most helpful technique. Overall, Princeton Review students found the techniques they had learned in class worked well on the exam. They reported that their ability to spot language shifts, recognize common flaws, and diagram conditional statements were the most useful tools for analyzing arguments. Broad experience with past exams was invaluable to test takers, and smart pacing choices were required to get the best possible results.

Scored Reading Comprehension - 28 questions The reading comprehension section offered the usual breakdown of topics—science, law, social science, and arts/humanities. Examinees found the law passage easiest and the science passage hardest. The first passage dealt with the use of computer-assisted crime reenactments in the courtroom. The author discussed the benefits, described potential problems, and suggested ways to prevent those problems. The second passage argued that because African artists alter their styles to suit consumers from other ethnic groups and regions, scholars can’t reliably draw conclusions about an object’s origins based on fine style distinctions. The third passage argued that though the historical evidence is limited, source records clearly indicate that ancient Greek and Roman societies had female physicians. The author supported this contention by citing examples of Classical writers who referred to female physicians in a matter-of-fact way. The fourth passage explained why maize’s method of photosynthesis makes it such a productive crop. Overall, this section demanded the skills of mapping the passage well, paraphrasing its contents, searching for specific evidence in support of answers, and eliminating choices judiciously.