The Cast of “Parks and Recreation” As LSAT Question Types

  • Reviewed by: Matt Riley
  • Two of my favorite things are studying the LSAT and quoting “Parks and Recreation.” I know what you’re thinking: this girl must be a hit at parties. You’re also probably thinking that there’s a lot “Parks and Rec” can teach us about the LSAT. Well, you’re right about both! If you’re new to the test , the many question types may seem intimidating. If you’re a seasoned LSAT veteran, with all the LSAT tips and tricks, you still likely have questions you love or dread. So, without further ado, I give you the cast of “Parks and Recreation” as LSAT question types.

    Note: As of August 2024, the LSAT will no longer have a Logic Games Section. The June 2024 exam will be the final LSAT with Logic Games. Learn more about the change here.

    Leslie Knope – LSAT Logical Reasoning: “Must Be True”

    Leslie Knope is a trusting heroine who tends to take others at face value. Just like Leslie, when solving must be true questions, like all of the implication family, we need to assume that every word of the stimulus is true. Then, we use our deductive reasoning skills to find the truth, AKA the correct answer choice. Leslie would thrive with these LSAT logical reasoning questions.

    Ron Swanson – LSAT Logic Games: Neither Games

    Ah, Ron Swanson. A little bit of a maverick and a guy who can’t be put in a box. Just like neither games–neither ordering nor grouping, Ron can be intimidating at first. However, once you get to know him, he’s actually pretty easy to crack. To flawlessly crack neither LSAT logic games, we rely on our logic games skills to break down the rules and solve the logic game.

    April Ludgate & Andy Dwyer – LSAT Reading Comprehension: Comparative Passages

    Birds of a feather flock together. This is true of both April and Andy, as well as comparative passages. In every LSAT reading comprehension section, you’ll find one set of two passages that tend to have two typically disparate perspectives on the same topic. It’s sometimes difficult at first to see how these two passages go together, but as you work through them, you find that their differences complement each other pretty well, just like April and Andy.

    Chris Traeger – Logical Reasoning: Strengthen

    Chris is always working on self-improvement and helping his friends. He spends a lot of time strengthening himself emotionally, mentally, and physically. While he can’t always solve his or his friends’ problems completely, he makes situations at least a little better with his charm and perseverance. Just like Chris, when we encounter a strengthen question, we need to find a way to make the argument at least a little better, even if it’s not totally perfect.

    Ben Wyatt – LSAT Logic Games: 1:1 Ordering

    Ben Wyatt is by the book. He likes order and structure. To Ben, there’s a place for everything, and everything goes in its place. His brain is like a 1:1 ordering and sequencing game. In these games, there are as many pieces as there are spots, and it’s our job to place pieces in the correct order. But don’t be fooled: like Ben, these games might be logical, but they can be quite complex when you get to know them better.

    Ann Perkins – LSAT Reading Comprehension: Synthesis Passages

    Ann Perkins is the glue that holds the friend group together. She’s a peacemaker, just like the author in a synthesis passage. Whether it’s a fight between Leslie and Ron or keeping the gang from being overrun with the flu (if you know, you know), Ann has a knack for making people–and perspectives–come together. You’ll find the same is true in synthesis passages, where the author finds a way to bring multiple viewpoints together.

    Tom Haverford – LSAT Logic Games: Overbooked Ordering

    There has never been a more overbooked human being in all of Pawnee than Tom Haverford. Tom’s always scheming on his next business venture, whether it’s Snake Juice, Eclipse Night Club (the night club that’s only open twice a year), or his cologne, Tommy Fresh. Sometimes he can’t make room for everything he wants, and he learns to prioritize. The same is true in overbooked ordering games, where we’re forced to choose not only the order of our pieces, but which ones must be in or out of the game given the conditions.

    Donna Meagle – LSAT Logical Reasoning: Parallel Flaw

    Donna is glamorous, a little mysterious, and does the most. She’s pretty impressive but not easily impressed, and might come off as intimidating at first. She’s a lot like parallel flaw questions. With both Donna and parallel flaw questions, once you get past how tough they seem, you realize how fun they are. Nothing will make you want to treat yo self (iykyk) more than mastering parallel flaws.

    Jerry Gergich – LSAT Reading Comprehension: Thesis Passages

    Jerry keeps it simple, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Just like thesis passages can take on many forms–argumentative, informative, explanatory–Jerry takes on many names–Gary, Larry, and so on. Just like Jerry, thesis passages are not to be underestimated.

    Tammy 2 – LSAT Logic Games: Unstable Grouping

    Tammy 2, the second of Ron’s three ex-wives, is not a recurring character. Still, like unstable grouping games, there’s bound to be drama when she shows up. When facing an unstable grouping game, you might feel nervous and get distracted, but don’t pull a Ron and go totally off the rails. Treat unstable grouping games like Tammy 2: take a deep breath, remain calm, and don’t let them throw you off your game. You have all the right LSAT prep tools to be successful.

    If you’re curious about any of these question types or the strategies to solve them, Blueprint has an LSAT tutor to help solve any sequencing game, passage, or question type the writers–I mean, er, the test makers–throw your way. Or start with creating a LSAT account to access all our free resources