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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. 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
Major Question Types
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Extreme Words
Argument Structure
2. Follows on from the conclusion instead of identifying an assumption that underlies the conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Argument Structure
Weaken the Conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Follow on
3. 1. Expose a faulty or tenuous assumption OR 2. Negatively impacts the conclusion directly
Find the Assumption Questions
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
What Correct answers do
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
4. 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
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Argument Structure
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
5. 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
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Follow on
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
Weaken the Conclusion
6. 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.
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Argument Structure
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
7. 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
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
Strengthen the Conclusion
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Conclusion
8. Proposes faulty mathematical or logical reasoning - make sure that any substituted expressions are truly synonyms
Draw a Conclusion
Finding the Conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Negating an assumption
9. Answer choice replaces a fundamental term with something that seems like a synonym or introduces extreme words - common between numbers - percentages and proportions
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
'Fill in the Blank'
Assumption
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
10. Select a situation that best exemplifies the conclusion
What Correct answers do
LEN Examples
Assumption
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
11. 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
Draw a Conclusion
S-W-Slash Chart
Extreme Words
Finding the Conclusion
12. Is a disguised version of a known question type. Once you recognize what type it is - use the standard strategies for that type.
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13. 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
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Draw a Conclusion
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
14. Identify the conclusion and choose the best AC that restates or paraphrases it
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Premise
'Fill in the Blank'
Signal Words for Premises
15. Premise + (assumption) = Conclusion
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Argument Structure
16. 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.
Weaken the Conclusion
The T Diagram
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
17. Therefore - As a result - Suggests - It follows that - Indicates - Accordingly - So - Consequently - Thus - Hence - Should
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Signal Words for Conclusion
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
18. 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.
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
The T Diagram
Weaken the Conclusion
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
19. 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
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
LEN Examples
20. 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 -
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
LEN Examples
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
21. Unstated parts of an argument that are necessary to reach the given conclusion. NEVER stated in the written argument.
Assumption
Finding the Conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
22. 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.
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Negating an assumption
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
23. Answer choice provides the opposite of what you are looking for
Major Question Types
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Premise
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
24. In order to clarify a question stem with EXCEPT - rephrase the EXCEPT statement into a question - inserting the word NOT and eliminating the word EXCEPT. Ex: 'Each of the following helps to explain event X except...' turns into 'Which one does NOT ex
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25. 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
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
Fill in a logic gap
LEN Examples
Extreme Words
26. Identify information that would help evaluate the validity of a given conclusion - the correct AC will provide a way to TEST the conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Argument Structure
Strengthen the Conclusion
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
27. 1. Find the assumption. 2. Draw a conclusion. 3. Strengthen the conclusion. 4. Weaken the conclusion. 5. Explain an event or discrepancy. 6. Analyze the argument structure. 7. Evaluate the conclusion. 8. Resolve a problem. 9. Provide an example. 10.
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
Major Question Types
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
28. 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
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Strengthen the Conclusion
29. 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
Finding the Conclusion
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
30. Provides a conclusion that is opposite of what the argument says.
Conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Diagramming Efficiently
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
31. Since - Due to - As a result of - Because - Given that - As
Boundary Words
Signal Words for Premises
Find the Assumption Questions
Major Question Types
32. Arguments contain 2 opposing points of view. Assess answer choices by holding them in opposition to the conclusion or one of its assumptions. 1. Identify the conclusion from the point of view of the author. 2. Note the counter-claim and it's proponen
Draw a Conclusion
Extreme Words
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Negating an assumption
33. A category of assumption - uses some type of superlative qualifier like only/best/worst way - there shouldn't be another way or better/worse way.
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
34. If you have two claims X & Y - ask yourself which leads to the other. A) 'X - therefore Y'. If this works - Y is the conclusion. B) 'Y - therefore X'. If this works - X is the conclusion. The deduction that takes place last logically in the sequence
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35. 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
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Boundary Words
36. 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
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Identifying the Question Type
Assumption
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
37. 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
Extreme Words
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
38. Commonly uses words 'assumption - assume - flaw or questionable'. Assumptions serve as a necessary bridge between the premises and the conclusion. The correct answer choice of an assumption question must be necessary to the conclusion of the argument
Find the Assumption Questions
Assumption
Weaken the Conclusion
Premise
39. 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
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
40. The main point of the argument - logically supported by the assumptions and premises. In the form of an opinion or claim.
Conclusion
Major Question Types
Finding the Conclusion
Draw a Conclusion
41. 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
Argument Structure
Finding the Conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
42. 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
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Assumption
43. 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
The T Diagram
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
44. 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. _______
Strengthen the Conclusion
Extreme Words
Diagramming Efficiently
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
45. 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
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
46. 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
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Signal Words for Conclusion
Extreme Words
47. 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: Ties to the Conclusion
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Extreme Words
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
48. Explains or leads to a premise instead of the conclusion
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
49. The answer choice MUST be true!
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Negating an assumption
The T Diagram
50. 1. Focus on the essential meaning. 2. Use EXTREME shorthand.3. Keep terms the same - try to keep exact wording of key points. 4. Make sure you understand what you are writing.
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram