Last month, I wrote a riveting blog post laying out the cast of “Parks and Recreation” as LSAT question types. Since then, I’ve been re-binging “The Office,” and I’ve realized that this cast of characters, like “Parks and Rec,” can teach us a lot about the LSAT. From Pawnee, IN, to Scranton, PA, I now give you The Cast of “The Office” as LSAT Question Types.

Michael Scott–Logical Reasoning: Main Point Questions

Michael Scott is fairly straightforward and the foundation that holds Dunder Mifflin together. In some ways, he’s like Main Point questions. While identifying the main point of an argument isn’t necessary for all logical reasoning questions, it is a large part of solving many question types. Similar to Michael, these questions seem simple at face value, but you will quickly find that they can be more complex and layered once you get to know them.

Dwight Schrute–Logic Games: In/Out Grouping Games

Ah, Dwight Schrute. Assistant to the Regional Manager and a man of many talents. One defining trait that sticks out to me is how Dwight is always trying to remain in Michael’s inner circle. Dwight likes order and relishes in the exclusivity, much like an In/Out Grouping game. And, if Michael’s inner circle is the game, Dwight is a tag-along rule with Michael: wherever Michael goes, he follows.

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.

Jim Halpert–Logic Games: Rule Substitution Questions

Jim and his many pranks are a bit like Rule Substitution questions in Logic Games. Whether it’s putting Dwight’s stapler in jello, convincing him he has telekinetic powers, or hiring an actor to play Jim himself, Jim’s antics have the same effect: driving Dwight crazy. It’s the same with rule substitution: the correct answer choice may look different from the rule being substituted, but it will always have the same outcome in the game.

Pam Beesly–Logic Games: Combo Games

Pam is well-organized, perceptive, and juggles a lot of roles. She’s on the office party planning committee, is a top-notch painter, and in later seasons has a family. To hold everything together as flawlessly as she does, it takes compartmentalization and prioritization, just like Combo Games. Combo games challenge us to group pieces together (compartmentalizing) while simultaneously ordering those pieces (prioritization). Pam’s execution of Combo Games would be almost as flawless as her painting of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton office.

Again, just a quick reminder that Logic Games will no longer be on the LSAT after June 2024. Sorry, Jim and Pam. 

Kevin Malone–Reading Comprehension: Q&A (Secondary Structures)

“Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?” is just one of the many important questions Kevin Malone has graced us with. He’s always asking the important questions, which makes him a lot like my favorite secondary structure in Reading Comprehension, Question & Answer. Kevin’s one of those characters who, even when he’s not part of the central plot, grabs our attention and gives the episode more structure. You know that when Kevin comes on screen he’s sure to be memorable (think the famous chili scene), just like with Q&A in Reading Comprehension. Pay close attention when you see this secondary structure, because that’s going to guide the passage’s direction and signal that the passage is about to get juicy.

Angela Martin–Logical Reasoning: Flaw Questions

It’s pretty safe to say that Angela Martin is not very agreeable, and save a few characters (@Dwight Schrute), she’s often finding the worst in people or situations. Whether it’s responding to Phyllis’s party idea or working on a project with Oscar, Angela always has a snarky comment or a rebuttal. We should approach Flaw questions like she would. Once you recognize a Flaw question, put on your Angela hat and attack!

Toby Flenderson–Logical Reasoning: Describe Questions

Toby is a bit dry and tends to get overlooked. Much like Describe questions in Logical Reasoning, people sleep on Toby. He’s not usually central to the plot of an episode, but he’s always there. Similarly, Describe questions might not be the most common, but you’ll usually see a couple on every exam. So don’t sleep on Describe questions! You have to be ready to identify these questions and describe the way an argument proceeds. They might not be top of mind, but these questions are essential to the plot-–I mean, your exam performance!

Kelly Kapoor–Reading Comprehension: Antithesis Passages

You know that classic Kelly quote where she asks, “I have a question… First of all, how dare you?” That’s essentially the question every author of an Antithesis Passage really wants to ask. Like Kelly when she has a bone to pick, Antithesis authors spend a lot of time attacking another person or group’s point of view to convince the reader to side with them instead. Moving forward, I’m going to always read these passages in Kelly Kapoor’s voice.

Ryan Howard–Logical Reasoning: Necessary Assumption Questions

Every time Ryan has a new idea, there’s something off about it. Whether he’s in an argument with Kelly, getting convicted of fraud at Dunder Mifflin, or starting an office fire, he’s always misstepping in his logic. His way of thinking often mimics Necessary Assumption questions: he almost gets away with his plans, but there’s always a key piece of the puzzle missing. On Necessary Assumption questions, we have to identify where the misstep is and identify the assumption the argument hinges on in order to be correct.

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.