LSAC Has Removed Logic Games Beginning August 2024

LSAT’s Logic Games have now been replaced by an additional section of Logical Reasoning. The change took effect with the August 2024 test.

This article will explore the implications of this change, including how it will impact test-takers and the LSAT's overall structure, whether it may be beneficial or disadvantageous to you, and the potential adjustments you should make to your study strategies.

What the removal of the LSAT’s logic games means in short

Overall, LSAC removing logic games isn't a huge deal. We’ve known since the settlement of a 2019 lawsuit that the games would eventually be replaced. The decision to remove them entirely is a bit of a surprise, but two-thirds of the test remains untouched, and no new content is being added.

The biggest news is that the balance of the test will shift dramatically toward Logical Reasoning. While both sections test logical reasoning skills, they're not identical in how they operate. Logic Games present structured puzzles with specific rules and constraints, while Logical Reasoning questions focus on analyzing arguments, drawing inferences, and evaluating evidence within passages. The removal of Logic Games means there's now a greater emphasis on argument-based questions and critical thinking skills in the new LSAT format.

Key Information to be Aware Of:

• LSAC has now removed the Logic Games section from the LSAT and transitioned to two Logical Reasoning (LR) sections and one Reading Comprehension (RC) section. The test also features one unscored section of RC or LR that are being used to test out questions for future LSATS.
• In terms of what the LSAT measures, the new format still evaluates your reasoning, writing skills, and reading comprehension abilities.
• LSAC assures us that, based on its own research, the revised approach "would have virtually no impact on overall scores".
• The revised LSAT will still have a score range of 120-180.

The History of Logical Reasoning in the LSAT & This Change in Context

A second section of Logical Reasoning is nothing new per se. Until 2020, the LSAT included two scored sections of LR, one section of RC, and one section of games. In spring 2020, as part of a quick transition to online testing, one section of LR was dropped. With that move, the balance of the test suddenly shifted from 50-25-25 to 33-33-33. That’s been the status quo until now. 

The removal of Logic Games is an even bigger change. Starting in August 2024 the test will include two parts LR and one part RC. It’s been quite a ride for Logical Reasoning! Until 2020, it was half the test. From then until now, it was only one-third of the test. And starting in 2024, it becomes a whopping two-thirds of the test. Its importance to law school candidates will double overnight. And some candidates are likely to fare better with that change than others.

Who Benefits from the Removal of LSAT Logic Games?

It’s clear that test takers who excel at LR and struggle with games will benefit the most from the removal of Logic Games.

The change was just announced, so these are hot takes, but it’s clear that those who excel at LR and struggle with games are big winners here. In my experience, these students tend to be native English speakers, poli-sci or English majors, and LSAT novices generally. Logic Games has always been the most intimidating section of the test for most new students—it was for me—so I anticipate that the new LSAT students of August 2024 will approach the test with a bit less trepidation. I also think today’s students who have already made progress on the games are big winners, because they will have the choice to take the test with games or without. Or both. More on that below. The change also benefits people who have previously tried to study for the LSAT but never cracked the code on the logic games. Starting in August of 2024, they’ll have an opportunity to try again with no games required.

Who is Negatively Affected by the Removal of LSAT Logic Games?

The removal of LSAT Logic Games is bad news for test takers who do better at the games than they do at LR.

More hot takes: Obviously, the change is bad news for those who do better at the games than they do at LR. In my experience, these students tend to include non-native English speakers, international students generally, and some STEM types—although this last group fares quite well on all three sections of the test. The change also seems likely to reduce the outsized impact of extra-time accommodations. For many accommodated students, 53 or 70 minutes for a section of logic games is an overabundance of time that allows them to simply brute-force every question if need be. (Those with only 35 minutes have no such luxury and must practice a more tactical approach.) In that sense, removing the games seems to restore a bit of parity between accommodated and standard-timed students.

Who Isn't Affected by the LSAT Removal of Logic Games?

The change doesn’t take effect until August 2024, so it doesn’t impact students who hope to start law school in fall 2024. Those students are stuck with the games, for better or for worse. It also doesn’t affect students who are equally good at games and LR. And it doesn’t affect those who already have an official test score they’re proud of.

Is The New LSAT Test Format Harder?

Whether or not you find the new test format for the LSAT harder depends on your preferred learning style and whether you personally found the Logic Games easy or difficult. Research by the LSAC indicates that students' overall scores shouldn't be impacted by the revised approach.

The LSAC's research also confirms that the "strong correlation between LSAT test scores and first-year law school success" shouldn't be impacted by this change.

Should you take the LSAT with logic games, or without?

Students who are planning to start law school in 2026 or beyond have the luxury of choosing whether they want to take the test with games or without. Many will choose simply to ignore the logic games and focus on LR and RC. I can’t blame them. If they haven’t already started studying the games, they could rationally choose to never even look at them. Then again, the games are learnable, and LG is the one section that students most commonly score perfectly on. If you’ve taken a diagnostic and you thought the games weren’t that bad, you’re right! Games are so learnable that it might be worth trying to perfect this section before it disappears. But remember games currently comprise only one-third of the test. Don’t rush into an official test if your LR and RC aren’t in great shape.

Students who hope to start law school in 2025 will take the LSAT the year of the transition. Many of them are already prepping for the LSAT. Those who aren’t yet prepping should consider starting ASAP. They’ll have a choice to take the test before August 2024, with games, or wait to take it without. But a word of caution on this latter plan: Students often need one or more retakes before they get a score that reflects their ability. If they don’t start taking the test officially until August 2024, retakes will push them later into the cycle and increase the pressure they’re putting on every test. “I need my best score today” is a counterproductive thought. One-and-done is a nice thought, but it’s not a good plan. So don’t put the LSAT off until August 2024 unless you’re comfortable with the risk that your first attempt or two doesn’t go smoothly and you end up putting law school off until 2026. 

Students who are dead set on law school in 2025 might consider a hybrid approach. Applicants are allowed to take the LSAT five times in five years. So a student who takes the test with games in February, April, and June 2024 could take it without games in August 2024 and one more time that fall if necessary. Law schools only care about your highest score, and they give five- and six-figure scholarship offers to students with stellar LSAT scores. You’ll be handsomely rewarded if you study hard, don’t take your first official test until you’re happy with your timed practice scores, and retake the test liberally until you achieve your true potential.

A Wistful Goodbye to Logic Games

On a personal note, I’ll miss the Logic Games! As I mentioned above, LG was the most challenging section when I prepared for the LSAT back in 2007. But games were fun to practice, and it was quite gratifying when I mastered them. They’ve also always been a joy to teach and to continue learning. Every time I look at my students’ diagrams, I see clever new approaches to each puzzle. I’ll miss adopting new ideas and spreading them to new students.

Nerd alert: I spend a lot of time playing games. Lately I’ve been into the board game Frosthaven and the PC game Starfield. I’ve also been getting humiliated by the chess app on my phone. I’ve taken for granted the part of my life where I get to play and analyze games with my students. I’ll try to savor those parts of class for the next nine months, before saying goodbye forever.

But I’m a big winner here, too, because I love teaching Logical Reasoning most of all. With double the LR, I’m looking forward to bigger doses of detailed fact-scrutinizing and gleeful bullshit-calling in each class. Oh, and Ben and I can take down the whiteboards in our homes and offices. In the future, my LSAT is diagram-free.

Why did they remove logic games from LSAT?

The Logic Games section was removed from the LSAT due to a settlement from a 2019 lawsuit, which signaled that the section would eventually be replaced. Although the complete removal came as a bit of a surprise, it was part of a planned shift by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The decision reflects a move towards emphasizing critical thinking and argument analysis skills, which are more directly tested in the Logical Reasoning sections.

Will there be logic games in 2024?

No, there is no longer a Logic Games section on the LSAT. This section has been entirely replaced by an additional section of Logical Reasoning, meaning that test-takers will now face two sections of Logical Reasoning and one section of Reading Comprehension.

Are there still two logical reasoning sections on the LSAT?

Yes, starting in August 2024, the LSAT includes two Logical Reasoning sections. The new format now features two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section, along with an unscored experimental section that could be either Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension. The emphasis on Logical Reasoning has doubled, making it the most significant part of the LSAT.