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Test your basic knowledge |
GMAT Critical Reasoning
Start Test
Study First
Subjects
:
gmat
,
logic-and-reasoning
Instructions:
Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. An answer choice that weakens the conclusion without requiring significant leaps of logic is likely correct. Use an S-W-slash chart on EXCEPT questions with confusing wording. Four answer choices will weaken - one will not. The correct answer choice
2. To strengthen an argument - look for an answer choice that fixes a weakness of the conclusion - validates an assumption - or introduces new supporting evidence. A premise can strengthen or support a conclusion without being necessary for that conclus
Strengthen the Conclusion
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Premise
Identifying the Question Type
3. The conclusion you select should be supported by at least some of the premises. The conclusion does NOT need to address all of the premises. A correct answer may be a mathematical or logical deduction. In this type of question - the entire body of th
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Fill in a logic gap
Signal Words for Conclusion
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
4. Extreme words make the answer choices incorrect - unless the argument explicitly justifies/states extreme words. A correct answer choice must be 100% true. When you see boundary or extreme words in an answer - ask 'what is the most extreme example I
Weaken the Conclusion
Premise
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
5. The main point of the argument - logically supported by the assumptions and premises. In the form of an opinion or claim.
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Conclusion
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
6. They limit the scope of an argument and can be useful in identifying incorrect answer choices. They provide nuances to the argument - which can help you make some answer choices correct or incorrect. When diagramming - be sure to include boundary wor
Boundary Words
Strengthen the Conclusion
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Weaken the Conclusion
7. Since - Due to - As a result of - Because - Given that - As
Signal Words for Premises
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Premise
8. Identify information that would help evaluate the validity of a given conclusion - the correct AC will provide a way to TEST the conclusion
LEN Examples
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
9. Describe the role of a part or parts of an argument - often use argument/counterargument structure (use modified T-diagram) Don't spend too much time - eliminate a few choices and move on. Two boldfaced statements - determine the role each one plays
Draw a Conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Signal Words for Conclusion
10. Provides a conclusion that is opposite of what the argument says.
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Weaken the Conclusion
Extreme Words
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
11. Presented in 3 common ways - so read the question first! 1. Question contains the conclusion. 2. Question hints at the conclusion in the argument. 3. Argument contains an obvious conclusion - indicated by a clear signal word. Some GMAT questions ask
Finding the Conclusion
Boundary Words
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
12. Many answer choices weaken the argument instead of strengthening it - make sure to note the question type so as to choose the correct answer
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
Signal Words for Conclusion
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
13. Stated pieces of information or evidence that provide support for the conclusion (facts - opinions or claims).
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Premise
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
14. A category of assumption - Reflects opinions or claims and that these are true or that a sequence of events will occur in a way the argument assumes.
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Signal Words for Premises
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
15. What do you do when two or more answer choices are very tempting? Use the Least Extreme Negation (LEN) technique. - negate answer choices to see whether the argument fails - use the least extreme negation possible. If the conclusion can still follow
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
S-W-Slash Chart
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
16. Premise + (assumption) = Conclusion
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Argument Structure
The 'Therefore' test
17. Look for the assumption to: 1. Bridge agap between any premise and the conclusion. 2. Support/strengthen/validate the conclusion. The answer doesn't have to be the only necessary assumption. The right answer is often 'necessary but not sufficient.' I
Assumption
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
18. 1. Look for the conclusion - often the last sentence of an argument - but sometimes the first. 2. Find the premises that lead to the conclusion - provide ALL the pieces of information written in the argument. - provide evidence that supports or leads
'Fill in the Blank'
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Finding the Conclusion
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
19. Unstated parts of an argument that are necessary to reach the given conclusion. NEVER stated in the written argument.
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Draw a Conclusion
Signal Words for Premises
Assumption
20. To help the process of elimination: 1. Write down letters A-E. 2. Evaluate each answer choice and note whether a. It strengthens the conclusion with an S b. it weakens the conclusion with a W c. Is irrelevant to the conclusion with a slash through it
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
S-W-Slash Chart
'Fill in the Blank'
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
21. When reading any question stem - try to classify the problem. Then - as you diagram - proactively find answers for the question type. Read the question stem first. If it is not immediately helpful - do not dwell. The process of diagramming will gener
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Identifying the Question Type
Negating an assumption
22. Poses two seemingly contradictory premises and find the AC that best reconciles them - Question will indicate the discrepancy or provide a keyword pointing to it in the argument: yet - however - nonetheless - paradoxically - surprising because...Argu
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Major Question Types
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
23. If an argument involves percentages - use real - concrete numbers. The words inference - assertion - prediction and claim are all synonyms for conclusion.
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
24. Make sure to note if a question is strengthen or weaken the conclusion so as to not mistakenly choose the wrong answer - use an S-W-slash chart
Signal Words for Conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Argument Structure
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
25. A category of assumption - cause and effect conclusions; correlation is not causation. - look for an assumption that eliminates an alternate model of causation - you must rule out the causality in the other direction
Identifying the Question Type
S-W-Slash Chart
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
'Fill in the Blank'
26. 1. Draw a large T - leaving more room on the left 'pro' side than the right 'con' side. 2. Look for the conclusion and write it on the top of the T. 3. Read the argument sentence by sentence. Write any pro premises on the left and cons on the right.
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
The T Diagram
Fill in a logic gap
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
27. Solve a problem posed by the premises - correct AC should directly counteract or fix a given problem. Tend to appear as a new premise - wrong AC will address some piece of the argument but not counteract or fix the problem. Some wrong AC will reinfor
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Identifying the Question Type
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
28. 1. Abbreviate anything you can but don't abbreviate so much that you change or lose the argument. 2. Underline key words - details and boundary words. 3. Use arrows to indicate cause and effect relationships. 4. Identify point of view with a colon to
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Draw a Conclusion
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Diagramming Efficiently
29. Most common among critical reasoning questions.Correct answers do NOT need to make the conclusion false or invalid; just needs to make it less likely that the conclusion is valid.
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Weaken the Conclusion
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
30. Follows on from the conclusion instead of identifying an assumption that underlies the conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Follow on
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
31. A powerful technique. If an answer choice in a question is negated and the argument becomes nonsensical - then the answer choice is almost certainly correct. An argument might depend on several assumptions - any of which could be the answer. However
Strengthen the Conclusion
Negating an assumption
Assumption
The 'Therefore' test
32. Provide unnecessary information about a premise - make sure answer choices are not simply related to the conclusion but also weaken it - an answer choice can seem realistic - but only need to determine whether it weakens the argument
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
The T Diagram
Extreme Words
33. Answer choice provides the opposite of what you are looking for
Find the Assumption Questions
Strengthen the Conclusion
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
34. Is a disguised version of a known question type. Once you recognize what type it is - use the standard strategies for that type.
35. The answer choice MUST be true!
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Draw a Conclusion
LEN Examples
36. Always - never - all -none - etc. They make the argument very broad or far-reaching - making it susceptible to attack. Note any extreme language used in premises or conclusions with an (!). This strategy ONLY applies to words in the argument. _______
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
Diagramming Efficiently
Extreme Words
37. Conclude something from a given set of premises - the conclusion you draw must be true as a result of only the given premises; it should not require any additional assumptions. Sample question stems: 'If the statements above are true - which of the f
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Draw a Conclusion
Extreme Words
38. Identify the conclusion and choose the best AC that restates or paraphrases it
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
39. In 'Explain an Event or Discrepancy' - Look for __________ that shows why the discrepancy is not one - after you add it to existing premises - it shoul make sense all together - correct AC fills a logical hole in the argument - allowing all premises
Negating an assumption
S-W-Slash Chart
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
40. Only use this method when the primary patterns do not apply. A) predict the future - will - should - can be expected to - could result in - are likely to B) subjective opinion - anything that cannot be proven C) cause & effect - if...then - as a resu
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
Find the Assumption Questions
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
41. Answers require you to assume at least one piece of information not explicitly presented in the argument.
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Finding the Conclusion
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
42. Always - only - all >> insert not necessarily or sometimes... Not - Never - none - not one - not once >> at least one - at least once - Some - a few - several >> no - none - Sometimes - on occasion - often >> never - At least - at most - more than -
LEN Examples
Assumption
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
The T Diagram
43. Tied to a premise and provides unnecessary information about a premise - if the premise is already a stated fact - it doesn't need support - make sure the answer choice is not simply related to the conclusion but supports it
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Negating an assumption
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Signal Words for Conclusion
44. Provides an assumption that is not actually necessary for the conclusion to be logically valid. - breaks up a category subtype
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
45. Answer choice replaces a fundamental term with something that seems like a synonym or introduces extreme words - common between numbers - percentages and proportions
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
46. Explains or leads to a premise instead of the conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
47. Analyze the logical flow of a argument and choose the AC that most closely mimics the argument flow or structure - be sure to not spend too much time
Premise
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
48. Read the passage and label each boldface as Fact - Opinion - or Conclusion. Skim each answer choice - only looking for terminology matching F - O - C. Eliminate AC that don't match F - O - C classification.
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
49. A category of assumption - 'how do we logically get from Point A to Point B?' - key words: therefore - because - for this reason - etc. - fact-based or background information; occasionally reflects an opinion or claim
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Fill in a logic gap
Major Question Types
50. Use your paper to visibly eliminate answer choices A-E. Cross out incorrect choices and circle the correct answers. Check all of the answer choices even if you believe you have found the correct one. You may find that another answer choice is potenti
Find the Assumption Questions
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Signal Words for Premises