Sufficient Assumptions [300-page free LSAT course]

Free LSAT Course > Logical Reasoning > Assumptions > Sufficient Assumptions

On the LSAT, you must be able to identify any assumptions, or gaps, between the evidence and the conclusion. We are going to discuss two types of assumptions: Sufficient Assumptions and Necessary Assumptions.

CHALLENGE: Identify the Sufficient Assumptions

Sufficient Assumption questions are phrased like this:

The conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?
The conclusion of the argument can be properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed?

Intro (0:01) | Ex.1 (4:30) | Ex.2 (12:28) | Trap Choices (18:07)
LSAT Lab offers six classes a week. Register for a free demo class.

Here are two philosophy videos that go through the distinctions between sufficient and necessary.

LSAT Lab offers six classes a week. Register for a free demo class.

Next LSAT: October 09

{"first_video":"G_znYHmjy6A","testData":[{"videoId":"G_znYHmjy6A","videoLoopStart":"1.5","videoLoopEnd":"2.5","VideoEnd":"595","videoCustomization":"","correct":"E","explanation":"0:00 - This is a Sufficient Assumption<\/i> question. The answer will be a claim that ensures a connection between the evidence and the conclusion. | \n0:55 - Read the stimulus. Concentrate on the main evidence and conclusion. Try to detect any gap between the conclusion and evidence. |\n1:40 - Conclusion:<\/b> Computers won`t have a big impact on education. | \n2:55 - Evidence:<\/b> Computers can`t help students with higher intellectual functions. |\n3:20 - Assumption Prediction: <\/b> If something can`t help with higher intellectual functions, it can`t have a big impact on education. | \n4:50 - (A) is incorrect because memorization is irrelevant to bridging the gap in the argument. | \n5:18 - (B) is incorrect for the same reason. | \n5:45 - (C) is incorrect for the same reason. | \n6:30 - (D) is incorrect because it isn`t relevant to the argument. | \n7:05 - (E) matches the prediction and is the correct answer. | \n7:10 - (E) is the logical equivalent of the prediction. If X, then Y<\/b> is equivalent to If not Y, then not X<\/b>.|\n8:50 - Recap.","explanationBreaks":"0:00 - This is a Sufficient Assumption<\/i> question. The answer will be a claim that ensures a connection between the evidence and the conclusion. \n0:55 - Read the stimulus. Concentrate on the main evidence and conclusion. Try to detect any gap between the conclusion and evidence. \n1:40 - Conclusion:<\/b> Computers won`t have a big impact on education. \n2:55 - Evidence:<\/b> Computers can`t help students with higher intellectual functions. \n3:20 - Assumption Prediction: <\/b> If something can`t help with higher intellectual functions, it can`t have a big impact on education. \n4:50 - (A) is incorrect because memorization is irrelevant to bridging the gap in the argument. \n5:18 - (B) is incorrect for the same reason. \n5:45 - (C) is incorrect for the same reason. \n6:30 - (D) is incorrect because it isn`t relevant to the argument. \n7:05 - (E) matches the prediction and is the correct answer. \n7:10 - (E) is the logical equivalent of the prediction. If X, then Y<\/b> is equivalent to If not Y, then not X<\/b>. \n8:50 - Recap.","clockPosition":"TR","imageThumb":"https:\/\/www.lsat-center.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/yt_thumbs\/33_G_znYHmjy6A.jpg","categoryId":"9","id":"33"}]}