How to Identify and Solve Parallel Reasoning Questions on the LSAT

If a question asks you to find an answer that mirrors the logical structure of the argument, you’re likely dealing with a Parallel Reasoning question.

Look for wording like this:

• "Which of the following most closely parallels the reasoning in the argument above?"
• "Which of the following exhibits the same pattern of reasoning as the argument above?"
• "Which of the following arguments is most similar to the reasoning in the argument above?"

Not all Parallel Reasoning questions follow this exact structure, but many do.

To solve Parallel Reasoning questions, start by analyzing the stimulus. Focus on the structure of the argument, so how the conclusion is supported by the premises rather than the specific content. Is the reasoning direct or conditional? This is key, as Parallel Reasoning questions test your ability to identify patterns of logic, not content.

A major LSAT tip for most LR question types, including parallel reasoning, is to ignore the subject matter in the answer choices. The correct answer will mirror the same logical structure, even if it discusses a different topic. Compare conclusions first, ensuring they match the tone and logical relationship of the stimulus. Then, check if the overall reasoning pattern (e.g., analogy, cause-and-effect) is the same.

Eliminate answers that don’t reflect the same logical structure. Even if the wording is similar, a mismatch in reasoning means it's the wrong answer.

2 Sample LSAT "Parallel Reasoning" Questions With Answer Explanations

Here are two sample Parallel Reasoning questions with a detailed explanation for each answer.

Sample Question #1 

“If Suarez is not the most qualified of the candidates for sheriff, then Anderson is. Thus, if the most qualified candidate is elected and Suarez is not elected, then Anderson will be.”

The reasoning in which one of the following is most similar to the reasoning in the argument above?

(A) If the excavation contract does not go to the lowest bidder, then it will go to Caldwell. So if Qiu gets the contract and Caldwell does not, then the contract will have been awarded to the lowest bidder.

(B) If the lowest bidder on the sanitation contract is not Dillon, then it is Ramsey. So if the contract goes to the lowest bidder and it does not go to Dillon, then it will go to Ramsey.

(C) If Kapshaw is not awarded the landscaping contract, then Johnson will be. So if the contract goes to the lowest bidder and it does not go to Johnson, then it will go to Kapshaw.

(D) If Holihan did not submit the lowest bid on the maintenance contract, then neither did Easton. So if the contract goes to the lowest bidder and it does not go to Easton, then it will not go to Holihan either.

(E) If Perez is not the lowest bidder on the catering contract, then Sullivan is. So if Sullivan does not get the contract and Perez does not get it either, then it will not be awarded to the lowest bidder.

Answer:

A. This choice doesn’t identify either Caldwell or Qiu as the lowest bidder.

B. Correct. This option mirrors the structure exactly: it establishes that either Dillon or Ramsey is the lowest bidder, and then concludes that if the contract is awarded to the lowest bidder and Dillon doesn’t receive it, then Ramsey must.

C. This option fails to indicate that either Kapshaw or Johnson is the lowest bidder.

D. This answer draws the wrong kind of contrast. It should have stated that either Holihan or Easton is the lowest bidder. Instead, it allows for the possibility that neither is, which doesn’t follow the intended pattern.

E. The first part is accurate, correctly identifying either Perez or Sullivan as the lowest bidder. However, the second part diverges from the structure: the conclusion should have been that if Sullivan doesn’t get the contract and it’s awarded to the lowest bidder, then Perez does.

Sample Question #2

“The only songs Amanda has ever written are blues songs and punk rock songs. Most punk rock songs involve no more than three chords. So if the next song Amanda writes is not a blues song, it probably will not involve more than three chords.”

The reasoning in which one of the following arguments is most similar to that in the argument above?

(A) The only pets the Gupta family has ever owned are fish and parrots. Most parrots are very noisy. So if the next pet the Gupta family owns is a parrot, it will probably be very noisy.

(B) Most parrots are very noisy. The Gupta family has never owned any pets other than fish and parrots. So if the Gupta family has ever owned a noisy pet, it was probably a parrot.

(C) All the pets the Gupta family has ever owned have been fish and parrots. Most parrots are very noisy. So any pet the Gupta family ever owns that is not a fish will probably be very noisy.

(D) Every pet the Gupta family has ever owned has been a fish or a parrot. Most parrots are very noisy. So if the next pet the Gupta family owns is not a parrot, it will probably not be very noisy.

(E) The Gupta family has never owned any pets other than fish and parrots. Most parrots are very noisy. So the next pet the Gupta family owns will probably be very noisy if it is not a fish.

Answer:

To match this argument, you need to follow its structure:

1. All have been either A or B
2. B is usually Y
3. If the next one is not A, then probably Y

A.

1. All have been either A or B
2. B is usually not Y
3. If the next one is not A, then probably not Y

Wrong, because (2) is not met. The original says B is usually Y.

B.

1. All have been either A or B
2. B is usually Y
3. If the next one is B, then probably Y

Wrong, because (3) is not met. It should say “if not A,” not “if B.”

C.

1. All have been either A or B
2. B is usually Y
3. If Y, then probably B

Wrong, because (3) is not met. This reverses the reasoning. It's making a claim about the cause of Y, not a prediction based on not being A.

D.

1. All have been either A or B
2. B is usually Y
3. Any that is not A will probably be Y

Wrong, because (3) is not quite right. It talks about any rather than making a prediction about the next one.

E.

1. All have been either A or B
2. B is usually Y
3. If the next one is not A, then probably Y

Correct. This matches the structure exactly.

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