When you really get to the bottom of it, there’s not a huge difference between the LSAT logical reasoning section and the GMAT critical reasoning section. Both of these sections are going to some serious testing of your logic skills. The big difference is this: the LSAT’s section is just more difficult.
The GMAT Critical Reasoning Section Will test your ability to assess an argument
You’ll want to go here for a more in-depth article on what the GMAT critical reasoning section actually tests. However, for my purposes, this is what you need to know. The GMAT is going to test your ability strengthen, weaken, draw inferences, and figure out facts or opinions that a given argument is based on.
In order to succeed on this section, you’re going to need to figure out important parts of each argument, and then break them down, or strengthen weak parts. It’s a slog for sure, but an important aspect of the exam.
The LSAT logical reasoning is like the GMAT, only with a large dose of Human Growth Hormone added to it
The LSAT, on the other hand, takes what the GMAT would test you on, adds a bunch of words, and then comes up with a bunch of really good, mostly correct, incorrect answers to get you to mess up. It’s rather nefarious, but for some reason, the test-creators enjoy doing this kind of thing.
Additionally, the LSAT, like I’ve said a bunch of previous articles, is written in a way that will trick test-takers who don’t take the time to read the questions thoroughly.
Also, since there are two separate sections of logical reasoning, you’re going to get tested in ways the GMAT can only dream about. If there’s a possible way to organize an issue, the LSAT is going to address it. It has 50 questions to do so. That means, at the end of the day, every single one of your logical analysis muscles is going to get tested, over and over again.
Putting it all together
These two tests ultimately want to get different things from their prospective test-takers. While I can’t call myself an expert on the GMAT, I can tell you that to succeed on it you’re going to need a different toolset than to succeed on the LSAT.
The big difference between the two, other than math, is simple: the LSAT places a bunch of emphasis on a person’s ability to think logically. Logical thought is technically the basis for how the law was written in the first place. Luckily for you, logic is something that can be learned, though it’s definitely easier for some than others.
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