Common LSAT Flaws (LSATMax)
Family 1: Exclusivity Flaws (4) correct answersExclusivity flaws are typically seen when the author
excludes all other options (generally when they believe theirs is the only conclusion that can be derived
from the premises). Also common to see these flaws when the author incorrectly infers a relationship
between two things.
- False Dilemma
- Ignoring a True Dilemma
- Failure to Eliminate Alternatives
- Ignoring the Middle Ground
(1) False Dilemma correct answersThe argument treats two or more things as inconsistent, when they
are actually consistent
Ex: You're a Yankees fan. Therefore, you don't belong at the Giants game in the fan section.
Issue: Being a sports fan of one team does not automatically rule out being a fan of other teams
(2) Ignoring a True Dilemma correct answersThe argument treats two or more things as consistent, when
they are actually inconsistent
Ex: One of my friends believes the universe was created 14 billion years ago by the Big Bang and another
friends believes it was divinely created 6,000 years ago, My belief system requires me to accept all
beliefs about the cosmos and combine them into one.
, Issue: The universe was created only once, so it's impossible for both theories to be true
(3) Failure to Eliminate Alternatives correct answersThe argument neglects to consider other possibilities
Ex: Kayla turned down all her job offers. Therefore, Kayla is destined to be unemployed forever.
Issue: The argument fails to consider other avenues for Kayla (applying to other jobs, creating a business,
etc)
(4) Ignoring the Middle Ground correct answersPresenting two extremes and failing to recognize that
something could fall in the middle
Ex: When students aren't challenged they become bored and achieve less than they're capable of. When
students are too challenged they give up and achieve less that what they're capable of. Therefore, no
student will ever be able to achieve their full potential.
Issue: The argument assumes without warrant that a solution only allows two possibilities (assumes that
there is no middle ground)
Family 2: Causal Flaws (3) correct answersCause-and-effect arguments are often vulnerable to attack
because it's very hard to prove causation. Most of the time if the conclusion is causal, anticipate a causal
fallacy
- Treating Correlation as Proof of Causation
- Ignoring an Alternate Cause
- Reversing Cause and Effect
(5) Treating Correlation as Proof of Causation correct answersThe argument concludes a causal
relationship exists between two things merely because they are associated
Family 1: Exclusivity Flaws (4) correct answersExclusivity flaws are typically seen when the author
excludes all other options (generally when they believe theirs is the only conclusion that can be derived
from the premises). Also common to see these flaws when the author incorrectly infers a relationship
between two things.
- False Dilemma
- Ignoring a True Dilemma
- Failure to Eliminate Alternatives
- Ignoring the Middle Ground
(1) False Dilemma correct answersThe argument treats two or more things as inconsistent, when they
are actually consistent
Ex: You're a Yankees fan. Therefore, you don't belong at the Giants game in the fan section.
Issue: Being a sports fan of one team does not automatically rule out being a fan of other teams
(2) Ignoring a True Dilemma correct answersThe argument treats two or more things as consistent, when
they are actually inconsistent
Ex: One of my friends believes the universe was created 14 billion years ago by the Big Bang and another
friends believes it was divinely created 6,000 years ago, My belief system requires me to accept all
beliefs about the cosmos and combine them into one.
, Issue: The universe was created only once, so it's impossible for both theories to be true
(3) Failure to Eliminate Alternatives correct answersThe argument neglects to consider other possibilities
Ex: Kayla turned down all her job offers. Therefore, Kayla is destined to be unemployed forever.
Issue: The argument fails to consider other avenues for Kayla (applying to other jobs, creating a business,
etc)
(4) Ignoring the Middle Ground correct answersPresenting two extremes and failing to recognize that
something could fall in the middle
Ex: When students aren't challenged they become bored and achieve less than they're capable of. When
students are too challenged they give up and achieve less that what they're capable of. Therefore, no
student will ever be able to achieve their full potential.
Issue: The argument assumes without warrant that a solution only allows two possibilities (assumes that
there is no middle ground)
Family 2: Causal Flaws (3) correct answersCause-and-effect arguments are often vulnerable to attack
because it's very hard to prove causation. Most of the time if the conclusion is causal, anticipate a causal
fallacy
- Treating Correlation as Proof of Causation
- Ignoring an Alternate Cause
- Reversing Cause and Effect
(5) Treating Correlation as Proof of Causation correct answersThe argument concludes a causal
relationship exists between two things merely because they are associated
