Find the gap before you read the choices
A correct weaken answer introduces a real alternative explanation, a relevant dissimilarity, or a fact the argument's evidence can't rule out. A correct strengthen answer closes off that same alternative, confirms a needed similarity, or adds evidence the conclusion was missing.
Common wrong-answer traps
An answer that is merely true, interesting, or related to the topic but doesn't touch the specific logical gap is a trap on both question types. So is an answer that strengthens or weakens a claim the argument never actually made.
Extreme wording ('always,' 'never,' 'proves') is not automatically wrong, but it should raise your scrutiny — check whether the argument's own conclusion is that strong before picking an equally strong answer.
What LSAC says about weighing new evidence
LSAC lists determining how additional evidence affects an argument among the skills the Logical Reasoning section tests. Its own explanation of why the skill matters is that law students need to identify what information is relevant to an issue or argument and what impact further evidence might have.
LSAC also offers drill sets on LawHub that focus on specific types of Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning questions. It says they are free and give personalized reports on performance, with hints and explanations for each question, which suits practicing one question type at a time.
3 original practice questions
Answer each question, then check it. Your result is saved on this device and counts toward your study dashboard.
Question 1
A city council member argues that building a new highway bypass will reduce downtown traffic congestion, since bypasses in three other cities were followed by reduced downtown congestion. Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?
Question 2
Economists argue that raising the minimum wage in Region X will not increase unemployment, pointing to Region Y, which raised its minimum wage by a similar amount last year without a rise in unemployment. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?
Question 3
A sales manager claims the new commission structure caused a 20% increase in sales last quarter, since sales had been flat for the two years before the change. Which of the following, if true, most weakens this argument?
Common questions
What is the difference between LSAT strengthen and weaken questions?+
They test the same gap in opposite directions: a weaken answer widens the gap between the evidence and the conclusion, and a strengthen answer narrows it.
Does a weaken answer have to destroy the argument?+
No. A correct answer only shifts how well the stated evidence supports the stated conclusion, usually by adding an alternative explanation or a relevant dissimilarity.
What do strengthen and weaken arguments usually hide?+
A causal claim drawn from correlation, an analogy between things that may not be alike, or a generalization from a small or unusual sample. Name the gap before reading the choices.
What does a correct strengthen answer do on the LSAT?+
It closes off the alternative explanation, confirms a needed similarity, or adds evidence the conclusion was missing, always tied to the specific gap you identified.
Why is a true answer choice often wrong on strengthen and weaken questions?+
Because being true, interesting or on topic is not enough. The choice has to touch the specific logical gap, and one about a claim the argument never made is a trap.
Should I distrust extreme answers such as always or never?+
Scrutinize them without rejecting them automatically. Check whether the argument's own conclusion is that strong before choosing an equally strong answer.
What does LSAC say about evidence questions?+
LSAC lists determining how additional evidence affects an argument among the skills the Logical Reasoning section tests and says law students must judge what further evidence might do.
Are there official drills for LSAT question types?+
Yes. LSAC says drill sets focused on specific Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning question types are free on LawHub, with hints, explanations and personalized performance reports.
What to do next
- 1
State the argument's gap in one sentence before reading the answer choices.
- 2
Eliminate any choice that doesn't address that specific gap, even if it's true.
- 3
On weaken questions, look for a stated alternative cause or a relevant dissimilarity.
- 4
On strengthen questions, look for confirmation that the missing assumption actually holds.