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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. 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
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Finding the Conclusion
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
2. Unstated parts of an argument that are necessary to reach the given conclusion. NEVER stated in the written argument.
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
Assumption
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Extreme Words
3. 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.
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
The T Diagram
What Correct answers do
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
4. 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
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
5. 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
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
Identifying the Question Type
6. 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: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
Find the Assumption Questions
Negating an assumption
Signal Words for Conclusion
7. 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
Negating an assumption
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
The T Diagram
8. 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
'Fill in the Blank'
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
Diagramming Efficiently
9. 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
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
S-W-Slash Chart
Extreme Words
10. 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
Signal Words for Conclusion
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
11. Identify information that would help evaluate the validity of a given conclusion - the correct AC will provide a way to TEST the conclusion
Finding the Conclusion
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
12. 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
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
13. 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
Conclusion
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
14. 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
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Diagramming Efficiently
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
15. Therefore - As a result - Suggests - It follows that - Indicates - Accordingly - So - Consequently - Thus - Hence - Should
Major Question Types
Diagramming Efficiently
Signal Words for Conclusion
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
16. 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
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
17. The answer choice MUST be true!
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
18. 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
Strengthen the Conclusion
Signal Words for Conclusion
What Correct answers do
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
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
20. 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.
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Weaken the Conclusion
Premise
21. 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
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Extreme Words
22. 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
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
23. If an argument involves percentages - use real - concrete numbers. The words inference - assertion - prediction and claim are all synonyms for conclusion.
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Argument Structure
24. 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
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25. 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 -
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
LEN Examples
26. Follows on from the conclusion instead of identifying an assumption that underlies the conclusion
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Signal Words for Conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Follow on
27. 1. Expose a faulty or tenuous assumption OR 2. Negatively impacts the conclusion directly
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
What Correct answers do
28. 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
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Signal Words for Conclusion
29. Since - Due to - As a result of - Because - Given that - As
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
Assumption
Signal Words for Premises
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
30. 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
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Find the Assumption Questions
Draw a Conclusion
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
31. Provides a conclusion that is opposite of what the argument says.
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Finding the Conclusion
The T Diagram
32. 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
Draw a Conclusion
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Argument Structure
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
33. 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
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
What Correct answers do
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
34. 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 AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
What Correct answers do
'Fill in the Blank'
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
35. Premise + (assumption) = Conclusion
What Correct answers do
Argument Structure
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
36. Stated pieces of information or evidence that provide support for the conclusion (facts - opinions or claims).
Premise
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
The T Diagram
The 'Therefore' test
37. 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
Find the Assumption Questions
Strengthen the Conclusion
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Premise
38. Explains or leads to a premise instead of the conclusion
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Find the Assumption Questions
39. 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
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
40. 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
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
LEN Examples
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
41. 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
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Argument Structure
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
42. 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
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
43. 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.
Find the Assumption Questions
Major Question Types
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
44. 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
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Diagramming Efficiently
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Finding the Conclusion
45. Answer choice provides the opposite of what you are looking for
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Premise
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Extreme Words
46. The main point of the argument - logically supported by the assumptions and premises. In the form of an opinion or claim.
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Finding the Conclusion
Conclusion
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
47. 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
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
S-W-Slash Chart
Boundary Words
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
48. Identify the conclusion and choose the best AC that restates or paraphrases it
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
49. 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
Draw a Conclusion
Find the Assumption Questions
Signal Words for Premises
50. Select a situation that best exemplifies the conclusion
Boundary Words
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Conclusion