Evaluate the Argument: The Variance Test
Evaluate the Argument: The Variance Test
Evaluate questions ask which piece of information, if known, would be most useful for judging the argument's strength — a hybrid of Strengthen/Weaken sensibility with a distinct answer format (often phrased as a question).
1. The Variance Test
For each answer choice, imagine both possible answers to it (yes and no). If the two answers would push the argument in meaningfully different directions (one strengthens, one weakens), that choice is useful — and likely correct. If both answers leave the argument equally strong or weak, it's irrelevant.
2. Answer Format
Evaluate answers are usually phrased as questions ("whether X" or "what percentage of Y"), unlike Strengthen/Weaken's declarative statements.
Practice items on this page are curriculum-authored in LSAT style; they are not official LSAC questions. Real drilling happens on LawHub — see the assignment below.
Q1. Argument: "The new tutoring program improved test scores, so schools should adopt it district-wide." Which question would be most useful to evaluate this argument?
LawHub drill-tier LR section, untimed. Scan for Evaluate stems.
An RC maintenance day tomorrow (Function questions), then Resolve the Paradox — the last type in this stretch before Saturday's synthesis.