Should I learn Formal Logic and Conditional Reasoning?

Expert replies

sreak1089: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 379; Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:05 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 19 times; GMAT Score:690

by sreak1089 » Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:45 pm

Hi,

I am having my GMAT exam in another 25 days..I am currently going through PowerScore CR bible for Critical Reasoning. From this book, is it critical to learn Formal Logic and Critical Reasoning chapters or can I skip them and go over only the chapters relating to the Question types? The reason is that I dont have much time and PowerScore CR bible is quite exhaustive...Please advise..

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:45 pm

DanaJ: Site Admin; Posts: 2567; Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:05 amFollowed by: 550 members; Thanked: 712 times; GMAT Score:770

by DanaJ » Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:49 am

Are you taking about the Logical Reasoning Bible or about the Critical Reasoning Bible? I don't remember there being a chapter about formal logic...

I suppose that if you're short on time go straight for the question types, with specific focus on the types that appear the most: strengthen, weaken, assumptions...

Like this post

shadowsjc: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 139; Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:52 am; Location: Jersey City, NJ; Thanked: 14 times; GMAT Score:770

by shadowsjc » Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:44 am

if you have time, I would say go through everything. Going through everything gave me a different perspective when tackling the CR questions on the GMAT. I know that on the surface, many of the formal logic type questions on the LSAT might not seem to pertain directly to the GMAT, but they do help you out in the long term, even if only indirectly.

my GMAT debrief: https://www.beatthegmat.com/came-through ... 44327.html

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right, but it will not come near you.
- Psalm 91: 5-7

Like this post

sreak1089: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 379; Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:05 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 19 times; GMAT Score:690

by sreak1089 » Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:44 am

Hi DanaJ,

I am talking about PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning bible.. It has two chapters on Formal Logic and Conditional reasoning.. I am little confused whether to go through these chapters because Weakening Questions chapter refers to aspects of conditional reasoning such as Necessary conditions and Sufficient Conditions which are explained in Conditional Reasoning chapter..

Like this post

sreak1089: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 379; Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:05 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 19 times; GMAT Score:690

by sreak1089 » Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:52 am

Hi shadowsjc,

My original plan was indeed to go through everything possible. In fact, I have read through 50% of the Formal Logic chapter..

However, last 10 days, I have been down with viral fever so I have not been able to study most of what I had on my plan. Now, I am feeling a bit tensed that I have less time now, and hence this thought of skipping these two chapters....

shadowsjc wrote:if you have time, I would say go through everything. Going through everything gave me a different perspective when tackling the CR questions on the GMAT. I know that on the surface, many of the formal logic type questions on the LSAT might not seem to pertain directly to the GMAT, but they do help you out in the long term, even if only indirectly.

Like this post

shadowsjc: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 139; Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:52 am; Location: Jersey City, NJ; Thanked: 14 times; GMAT Score:770

by shadowsjc » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:02 am

Hi,

It depends how soon you need to take the GMAT. In my opinion, the main reason I recommend that people read through the LSAT version of the LR book is because of those extra sections. Otherwise, the book would be basically no different than any other CR preparation book.

If you've been sick for awhile, it might make more sense to reschedule your test. I believe since you still have about a month left, you should be able to do reschedule it without any penalty. Of course, if you need to take the test soon because of deadlines, etc. then I guess it would be OK to skip those sections.

Like this post

sreak1089: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 379; Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:05 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 19 times; GMAT Score:690

by sreak1089 » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:24 am

Hi shadowsjc,

Deadline for my target B-school is in 4th weeek of November, so I have time to post-pone.

But, the constraint that I have is that, my wife is carrying and we are expecting birth of our first child in last week of October and I want to be done with my GMAT exam before that..

Currently I am at V31-35 levels in my practise tests, I need to take that to V40 levels in next 25 days or so.

I am confident about Quant, I had got Q48, in my previous GMAT attempt (570 (Q48, V21)).

Like this post

theK: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 25; Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:50 am; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:700

by theK » Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:16 am

shadowsjc wrote:...
In my opinion, the main reason I recommend that people read through the LSAT version of the LR book is because of those extra sections. Otherwise, the book would be basically no different than any other CR preparation book.

Hi shadowsjc,
Were you one of those people who did the above? If so, did you find those extra sections helpful for the GMAT?

I've read the CR Bible, but would like to know if there is any significant value in purchasing the LSAT LR book.

Like this post

shadowsjc: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 139; Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:52 am; Location: Jersey City, NJ; Thanked: 14 times; GMAT Score:770

by shadowsjc » Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:36 am

hi

i did read through the entire lsat book, and i think it helped significantly. alot of it probably depends on your starting point. if youre at v25 or v30, the lsat book probably wont help. its a good book to put you over the 40 mark if youre almost there.

if youve already read diligently through the gmat cr bible, id consider getting the lsat one if its not too cost prohibitive. if youve never read either of the 2 books then id recommend the lsat one

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 amFollowed by: 994 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times

by beatthegmat » Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:31 am

I'm personally a little nervous by the idea of studying from LSAT books to prep for the GMAT. I certainly understand the rationale, since LSAT critical reasoning/verbal tends to be tougher than the GMAT, and may thus provide more intense prep. However, at the end of the day, LSAT is a different test.

Try exhausting all of your GMAT references first prior to studying from the LSAT CR Bible--I think this could be an interesting supplement, but not a primary study tool in my opinion.

Good luck!

Beat The GMAT | The MBA Social Network
Community Management Team

Research Top GMAT Prep Courses:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-prep-courses

Research The World's Top MBA Programs:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school

Like this post

sreak1089: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 379; Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:05 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 19 times; GMAT Score:690

by sreak1089 » Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:53 pm

Hi Eric,

During my first prep, I have gone through the entire OG guide and my accuracy was arround 80%. When I started prep for my second attempt, I have seen a steady decline in CR scores during my MGMAT scores. Hence I decided to study from PowerScore LSAT CR. I am not going to study it completely cover to cover but only the relevant topics. After studying these topics, I will start practising on OG 12 and Verbal supplement as well..

beatthegmat wrote:I'm personally a little nervous by the idea of studying from LSAT books to prep for the GMAT. I certainly understand the rationale, since LSAT critical reasoning/verbal tends to be tougher than the GMAT, and may thus provide more intense prep. However, at the end of the day, LSAT is a different test.

Try exhausting all of your GMAT references first prior to studying from the LSAT CR Bible--I think this could be an interesting supplement, but not a primary study tool in my opinion.

Good luck!

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 amFollowed by: 994 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times

by beatthegmat » Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:20 am

Thanks for that update! Please keep us updated on your progress, I think that there are many people in this community who would love to hear more about studying LSAT materials for the GMAT.

It's unconventional, but appears to happen quite a bit.

Good luck!

Eric

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review