THE 175 METHOD - THE "WHAT-IF" CHEAT SHEET - 6 Argument Traps

Oct 14, 2026

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Six common LSAT® argument traps are presented as “what-if” challenge questions, covering invalid causality, misleading numbers and percentages, incorrect assumptions about portions versus totals, evidentiary gaps, ad hominem reasoning, and survey-design problems such as bias and insufficient sample size. Each trap is paired with a concrete example to illustrate how an argument can be dismantled by testing underlying assumptions and hidden variables.

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1 Invalid Causality

2 Numbers & Percentages

3 Portions & Totals

4 Evidentiary Problems

5 Ad Hominem

6 Survey Problems

T H E 1 7 5 M ET H O D THE "WHAT-IF" CHEAT SHEET 6 Argument Traps the LSAT® Uses Against You —And How to Beat Every One Here are six of the most common tricks the LSAT® tries to pull on you, and the exact questions I asked myself in order to challenge every argument on this exam. This methodical skepticism helped me tremendously on the path to my 175. —Ava Micena, 175 LSAT Scorer 1 INVALID CAUSALITY ? What if there is no relationship between elements 1 and 2? ? What if there is a third element causing elements 1 and/or 2? ? What if 2 actually causes 1? EXAMPLE Loud music came on the kitchen speaker when Carmen dropped his tray of pasta. Therefore, the shock of noise caused Carmen to drop the tray. 2 NUMBERS & PERCENTAGES ? What if a change in number doesn't mean a change in percentage (and vice versa)? EXAMPLE At the auction, John bought two-hundred hand-painted cookie jars. Therefore, his share of the hand-painted cookie jar market experienced a substantial increase. 3 PORTIONS & TOTALS ? What if a portion doesn't have to be the same as its total? EXAMPLE The bricks used to build Concord's post office were taken from 1800s post offices recently demolished. As such, the Concord postoffice should be considered a historical building. 4 EVIDENTIARY PROBLEMS ? What if there is unconsidered or undiscovered evidence that would validate the neglected claim? EXAMPLE Despite decades of intense and well-funded research, scientists haven't found a cure for cancer. Therefore, a cure for cancer does not exist. 5 AD HOMINEM ? What if someone you don't like, or who is potentially biased, can make a valid argument? EXAMPLE Dr. Walsh advises patients not to smoke due to proven health impacts. However, Dr. Walsh is a smoker. Therefore, this advice is incorrect and unwarranted. 6 SURVEY PROBLEMS ? What if the sample of respondents is biased?? What if the questions are biased? ? What if the sample is too small to draw a credible conclusion? EXAMPLE A survey of students found they'd rather have their gym redone than their auditorium. Even after learning gym renovations would take a year longer and cost twice as much, they maintained their preference. THIS IS JUST ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. These What-Ifs cover the assumptions side of Logical Reasoning. But knowing what to question is only half the battle —you also need a system for reading the stimulus and identifying the task before you even look at the answer choices. That's what I call the Stimulus-Task Model, and I teach the full framework inside The 175 Method. LEARN MORE AT [the175method.com](the175method.com) © The 175 Method · [the175method.com](the175method.com) LSAT® is a registered trademark of LSAC. Not affiliated with or endorsed by LSAC.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the “What-If” cheat sheet in The 175 Method?

It shows six frequent LSAT® argument traps and provides the exact “what if” questions to challenge each argument’s assumptions.

How do you test invalid causality in an LSAT® argument?

Ask whether there is no relationship between the relevant elements, whether a third element causes one or both, or whether the direction is reversed (2 causes 1).

What survey issues can invalidate conclusions in LSAT® questions?

Check whether the respondent sample or the questions are biased, and whether the sample size is too small to support a credible conclusion.

Oct 14, 2026

Upload by adawds