How to Solve LSAT “Strengthen” Questions

"Strengthen" questions are found in the LSAT Logical Reasoning section. These questions ask you to find new evidence that makes the conclusion stronger.

In this article, we’ll help you build on your Logical Reasoning skills for the LSAT by focusing on Strengthen questions. You'll learn how to make strong predictions and select the most effective answer to bolster the argument's conclusion.

What Are "Strengthen" Questions in the LSAT?

"Strengthen" questions in the LSAT require you to reinforce an argument's conclusion by selecting an answer choice that adds support to the argument.

These questions present an argument with a conclusion and premises that may be flawed or incomplete. Your job is to identify the weaknesses or gaps in the argument and choose the option that provides new evidence or clarification that will strengthen the argument. The correct answer will help address one or more of the argument’s flaws, making the conclusion more credible.

Types of "Strengthen" Questions

These questions ask you to help the main conclusion:

• Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument’s overall conclusion?

• Which one of the following, if true, most supports the television executive’s argument?

• Which one of the following principles most strongly supports the argument above?

• Which one of the following, if true, most justifies the educator’s reasoning?

• The reasoning in the advertisement would be most strengthened if which one of the following were true?

Make a Strong Prediction

Because it’s impossible to strengthen a valid argument, there must be at least one flaw in a Strengthen question’s argument. Pinpoint at least one flaw when you actively engage with the passage the first time you read it:

1. Find the main conclusion. If the conclusion rejects an idea, restate the conclusion as the opposite of that idea. If you need to brush up on argument parts and indicators, go here.
   ‍
2. Find the premises. Premises are statements that support the main conclusion. Don’t confuse these for background information, concessions, and opposing viewpoints.
   ‍
3. Figure out why the premises don’t prove the main conclusion. Accept the premises as true, but they still won’t prove the conclusion. Why don’t they? Catch any sneaky assumptions and find a way to state them explicitly to strengthen the author’s argument.

There might be multiple problems with the argument. Identify as many as you can. After spotting one or two serious flaws, jump into the answer choices.

What to Look For in the Answer Choices

The correct answer won’t necessarily prove the main conclusion, but it will make that conclusion stronger. As you read each answer, ask yourself: Does this answer help the main conclusion more than the other four answers?

While all five answers can be true, only the correct answer will give you new evidence which might have been assumed but never explicitly stated by the author. The new evidence should fix, at least partly, one of the problems you identified.

If two answers both help the conclusion, the more strongly-worded answer is usually the correct one in a Strengthen question. For instance, it might say “all” rather than “some.” As always, though, the content of the answer matters more than word strength.

If a question uses the word “EXCEPT,” look for the opposite: The right answer will either weaken the conclusion or do nothing, so rule out answers that strengthen the conclusion at all.

More on Solving LSAT "Strengthen" Questions

How to eliminate wrong answers in LSAT "Strengthen" questions?

To eliminate incorrect answers in LSAT Strengthen questions, first identify the flaws or gaps in the argument. Then, review each answer choice to determine if it provides new evidence that addresses any of these flaws. Wrong options may introduce irrelevant information, restate premises, or even weaken the argument. Focus on answers that support or clarify the conclusion more effectively than the others, and discard those that don't meaningfully strengthen the argument (which only the correct answer will do).

How to get better at Strengthen questions in LSAT?

The best way to improve at LSAT Strengthen questions is to practice identifying the main conclusion and premises in arguments. Learn to spot weaknesses or assumptions that undermine the argument’s strength. Get into the habit of predicting what kind of evidence could address these issues before you look at the answer choices. This will help you refine your ability to spot relevant evidence and select the answer that most effectively supports the conclusion.

What's the difference between "Strengthen" and "Weaken" questions in the LSAT?

"Strengthen" questions ask you to find an answer that will strengthen the argument by providing additional support or evidence, which typically addresses flaws or gaps in the argument. Contrastingly, "Weaken" questions require you to select an answer that undermines or challenges the argument’s conclusion by introducing evidence that highlights weaknesses or contradictions. Essentially, "Strengthen" questions aim to make the argument more convincing, while "Weaken" questions aim to make it less persuasive.