LSAT Strengthen & Weaken Questions: The 4-Step Method That Never Fails

Strengthen and weaken questions are like being a lawyer and a prosecutor at the same time. One minute you're defending the argument, the next you're trying to tear it down. Fortunately, both jobs use the same basic toolkit.

The 4-Step Method That Never Fails

Step 1: Identify the Conclusion

This isn't optional. You MUST know exactly what the author is trying to prove. Look for conclusion indicators like "therefore," "thus," "consequently," or "it follows that."

Pro tip: Sometimes the conclusion comes first, sometimes last, sometimes in the middle. Don't assume - hunt for it.

Step 2: Identify the Evidence

What facts, studies, examples, or reasoning does the author provide? This is everything that's supposed to support the conclusion.

Warning: Don't confuse background information with evidence. Evidence directly supports the conclusion.

Step 3: Find the Connection

What's missing between the evidence and conclusion? This gap is where strengthen/weaken answers live.

For strengthen: What would make the connection stronger? For weaken: What would break the connection?

Step 4: Attack the Gap

Don't read answers randomly. Target the specific gap you identified.

Right answers will either build a bridge across the gap (strengthen) or blow up the bridge (weaken).

The Bottom Line

Strengthen and weaken questions aren't about having great intuition - they're about following a systematic process. The 4-step method works because it forces you to understand the argument before trying to affect it.

Stop playing LSAT roulette. Start using the method. Your score will thank you.

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