Logic Games, perhaps more than any other LSAT section, is amenable to a precise, methodical approach. We’ll briefly introduce the steps below, and then we’ll delve into each one in depth in the next section.

Step 1: Create a Blueprint. A blueprint is a foundation—something you use to accomplish a task. Here, the task is to knock down Logic Games questions, and the blueprint phase of the operation takes you from your initial assessment of the game type up through creating a simple sketch of the situation at hand. A big part of this step is “shorthanding” (that is, abbreviating in an efficient manner) the introductory information provided in the setup—something we’ll be discussing shortly.

Step 2: Get the Specs. After you’ve blueprinted the situation, you’ll use the game’s specific rules to figure out how it works. Some rules are fairly simple, while others are more complex. We’ll discuss many types in both categories and give you practice interpreting all the varieties of rules you’re likely to see.

Step 3: Search for Game Breakers. After creating a blueprint and using the rules to nail down the specs of the game, many test takers proceed right on to Step 4, attempting to cash in from the work performed in Steps 1 and 2. This is a grave mistake, since many games are crafted to contain key deductions that can be deduced from the setup alone—deductions that break the game wide open. Some games are nearly impossible to complete in the time allotted without noticing such “Game Breakers.” You probably won’t find earth-shattering deductions in every game you face, but discovering Game Breakers in one or two instances is often the key to a successful Logic Games performance. We’ll teach you what to look for and how to make and use such deductions to ease your burden and pick up some quick and easy points.

Step 4: Cash In. When you’ve done all you can do, it’s time to cash in and pick up as many points as you can, as fast as you can. If you skimp on the steps described above and go to the questions right out of the box, each question is likely to be its own struggle. However, if you organize your attack and uncover Game Breakers when possible, some questions will fall in a matter of seconds, leaving enough time to work through the more complicated challenges. Don’t be surprised when certain questions seem very easy—they’re easy only because you’ve already done the necessary work up front. When you’ve done the right preparatory work, don’t hesitate to cash in on your efforts.

Now that you understand the general concept behind our four steps of the Essential Strategy, it’s time to learn how to employ them. Let’s take a deeper look.