Free LSAT Logic Game: Relative Ordering

The LSAT dropped Logic Games in August 2024, so this Relative Ordering game won't show up on a real test anymore. The page still gives you the free logic games book download, 5 practice questions with full explanations, and a look at how to diagram Pure Sequencing games, which sharpens the same ordering and inference skills the current Logical Reasoning section tests.

Studying for the current test? Since Logic Games came off the LSAT in August 2024, a second scored Logical Reasoning section took its place, which means LR is now 2 of your 3 scored sections. I wrote a free 6-page brief on what changed, what your old prep book is still good for (roughly half of it) and what to do this week: the LSAT format brief.

Note: the LSAT no longer has Logic Games. LSAC removed the section in August 2024. The scored test is now 2 Logical Reasoning sections and 1 Reading Comprehension section, plus 1 unscored experimental section. This post stays up as an archive, and the reasoning skills still carry over, but you won’t see a game on test day.

UPDATE: You can get this game, along with several others I’ve written, in a free book.

What kind of game this is

This Logic Game I’ve written is what some would categorize as Pure Sequencing, Loose Sequencing, or Relative Ordering.

Whatever you call it, this type of game requires you to put variables in order, just like Basic Linear games do.

Pure Sequencing vs Basic Linear

So what’s the difference between Pure Sequencing and Basic Linear?

In Pure Sequencing, most of the rules involve the relationship between one variable and another. They’ll say things like “A is before B” or “C is after D.”

In Basic Linear games, you’ll have a few rules that refer to specific and defined “slots” or places within the ordering.

Because the rules for Pure Sequencing games differ from those in Basic Linear games, the most efficient diagrams for these types of games differ a bit from those you’d use for Basic Linear games.

How to diagram them

Instead of using slots, I recommend using short lines or “branches” to represent the relationships between variables. In other words, draw lines between variables to indicate their relationships.

Represent something like “A is before B” as “A-B.”

Please email me your thoughts and questions!

Try the game

At the annual meeting of the Magicians’ Alliance, 8 magicians-L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, and S- perform their latest illusions, one magician at a time. The order in which the magicians perform their illusions is consistent with the following conditions:

L and Q each perform at some time after P.
S performs at some time before O and L.
M performs at some time before S.
P performs at some time after N.
S and N each perform at some time after R.

Which one of the following could be the order in which the magicians perform their illusions?

(A) M, N, R, S, P, Q, L, O
(B) S, M, R, N, P, L, Q, O
(C) R, N, M, P, O, S, Q, L
(D) R, M, S, L, N, P, Q, O
(E) M, R, S, N, O, P, Q, L

Which one of the following magicians CANNOT perform third?

(A) M
(B) N
(C) O
(D) P
(E) S

If O is the fourth magician to perform, then which one of the following must be true?

(A) M is the second magician to perform.
(B) L is the fifth magician to perform.
(C) P is the sixth magician to perform.
(D) Q is the seventh magician to perform.
(E) L is the eighth magician to perform.

If P performs before S, then each of the following must be false EXCEPT:

(A) R is the third magician to perform.
(B) S is the fourth magician to perform.
(C) P is the fifth magician to perform.
(D) Q is the sixth magician to perform.
(E) S is the seventh magician to perform.

If R performs after M and O performs before P, then which one of the following could be true?

(A) M is the second magician to perform.
(B) O is the third magician to perform.
(C) N is the fourth magician to perform.
(D) S is the fifth magician to perform.
(E) L is the sixth magician to perform.

Answers and explanations

The text below contains the answers to the above Logic Game.

See my explanation and diagrams of this game in Logic Games Diagram Explanation | Relative Ordering / Pure Sequencing.

Also see my explanation of this game’s set-up in Logic Games Relative Ordering / Pure Sequencing Step-by-Step Diagram.

For some LSAC-written Logic Games like this one, check out PrepTest 33, Game 1 and PrepTest 38, Game 1 in The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests.

Frequently asked questions

Does the LSAT still have Logic Games?

No. LSAC removed Logic Games from the LSAT in August 2024. The current scored test is 2 Logical Reasoning sections and 1 Reading Comprehension section, plus 1 unscored experimental section.

What type of Logic Game is Relative Ordering?

Relative Ordering, also called Pure Sequencing or Loose Sequencing, asks you to put variables in order using rules like "A is before B" rather than assigning them to fixed numbered slots the way Basic Linear games do.

How do you diagram a Pure Sequencing game?

Instead of slots, draw short branches or lines between variables to show their relationships. Represent a rule like "A is before B" as "A-B," then chain the branches together to map the full order.

Where can I find more free LSAT Logic Games?

You can get this game and several others in a free book, plus more explanations and diagrams linked at the bottom of this page.

I've written free explanations for every question in LSAT PrepTest 159, 158, 157, 156, 155 and 154, with the right answer and why each wrong answer fails. All LSAT explanations are here.

Enough reading. Try a question. Free LSAT drills, 1 at a time, explained the second you answer. Start free drills

Free LSAT Logic Game | Relative Ordering