Sample LSAT Question – Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning)

Question

Setup:

A music festival is scheduling five bands — G, H, J, K, and L — to play over five consecutive time slots, one band per slot. The following rules apply:

1. G must play before K.
2. J cannot play immediately before or immediately after H.
3. L must play third.

Question:

Which of the following could be a valid band order from first to fifth?

A) G, J, L, H, K

B) H, G, L, K, J

C) J, K, L, H, G

D) G, H, L, K, J

E) K, J, L, G, H

Answer 1

Correct Answer: A

How I guide students through Logic Games:

We begin with an organized sketch and symbolize each rule:

1. Rule 1: G < K (G must come before K)
2. Rule 2: J ≠ next to H
3. Rule 3: L = 3rd slot

Now evaluate each answer:

1. A) G, J, L, H, K
2. ✔ G before K
3. ✔ J is not next to H (there’s one space in between)
4. ✔ L is in position 3
5. ✅ Valid
6. B) H, G, L, K, J
7. ✖ J is next to H — violates Rule 2
8. C) J, K, L, H, G
9. ✖ G is after K — violates Rule 1
10. D) G, H, L, K, J
11. ✖ J is next to H — violates Rule 2
12. E) K, J, L, G, H
13. ✖ G is after K — violates Rule 1

Conclusion:

In Logic Games, I emphasize rule translation, diagramming, and testing choices systematically. I help students learn to visualize constraints quickly and eliminate answer choices efficiently. We also practice notation shortcuts to speed up logic-based games under timed conditions.