PrepTest 146

[lcid:3681] Prep Test 146 LSAT — Logical Reasoning — S2 Logical reasoning

Question prompt

A study at a Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: C

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Question Type

Main Point Questions

Answer choices

  1. A
    In general, a meeting Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. This answer uses all the right words in the wrong order. The conclusion in the stimulus sets out requirements for a meeting to have maximum productivity ("it needs to have"), whereas this answer states that a short meeting with a clear time frame is guaranteed to achieve maximum productivity. That's a reversal!
  2. B
    Most meetings at the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. This is a premise of the argument. Any data or results from a study will almost always be a premise.
  3. C
    A meeting at the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    Correct. Argument or Facts:
    Argument

    Valid or Flawed:
    Flawed

    Question Type:
    Main Point

    Stimulus Summary:A study showed meetings generally lose value after 30 minutes, and all value after 60. The most productive ones also had a clear time frame established. Therefore, maximally productive meetings require a clear time frame that's under 30 minutes.

    Answer Anticipation:
    While not a traditional conclusion keyword, that "then" in between the commas in the last sentence serves the same purpose as a "therefore" or "thus," making that last sentence our main point. Additionally, the first two sentences are simply stating the results of a study, so they're almost certainly premises. Let's look for an answer that reflects the last sentence.

    Answer Explanation:
    This answer paraphrases the conclusion. "[O]nly if" sets out necessary conditions, and here those requirements are a clear time frame and being no more than 30 minutes. The conclusion similarly sets those out as requirements.

    Key Takeaway:
    Don't overthink a question #14 Main Point question. The first two statements here had all the hallmarks of premises, and the last sentence built from them (and had a conclusion keyword, even if a less common one). To finish the section on time, you need to finish questions like this as fast as possible, freeing up time for the more difficult and complicated questions.
  4. D
    According to a study, Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. This is another piece of analysis from the study, and so it's almost certainly another premise. Since this statement backs up the recommendation in the conclusion as to what's required for a productive meeting, it's definitely a premise.
  5. E
    A study of meetings Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. Similar to (B) and (D), this answer reflects information discovered in a study, and so it's a premise.

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