PrepTest 119

Incorrect. Two related issues here. First, the stimulus talks about averages, so some classes having an increased ratio and others a decreased one is fine. Second, it's possible that the classes were assigned multiple teachers, instead of those teachers teaching other classes, thus resulting in higher enrollment per class but with the same student-teacher ratio.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Must Be True

Stimulus Summary:
1990 - Queenston passed a new tax to raise money for schools
1990-1993 - 30% increase in the number of teachers
1990-1993 - The student-teacher ratio stayed the same

Answer Anticipation:
The only way for the student-teacher ratio to stay the same during a period where the total number of teachers increased is if the number of students increased by a proportional amount. Let's find that answer.

Answer Explanation:
If the number of teachers increased but the student-teacher ratio stayed the same, then the number of students must have also increased. This answer must be true.

Key Takeaway:
This is about the highest level of math that the LSAT is going to ask you to do! And it's not even doing math, but more being aware of basic concepts such as what a ratio is and how increases and percentages relate.

Incorrect. While the number of teachers increased by 30%, that's not an indication that the operating budget increased by that amount. Schools spend money on other things, so it's unlikely those percentages would be directly related!

Incorrect. The number of teachers increased, but that could happen even with a lot of turnover, as long as many new teachers started careers.

Incorrect. The stimulus doesn't discuss the quality of education, so this answer is out of scope. Any connection drawn between the number of teachers or student-teacher ratio and quality isn't established in the stimulus!