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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 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
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
The 'Therefore' test
Negating an assumption
Premise
2. 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 - No ties to the conclusion
Signal Words for Premises
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
3. Stated pieces of information or evidence that provide support for the conclusion (facts - opinions or claims).
Find the Assumption Questions
Signal Words for Conclusion
Premise
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
4. 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
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Signal Words for Conclusion
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
5. 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 the Conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Signal Words for Premises
6. 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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7. Explains or leads to a premise instead of the conclusion
Extreme Words
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
S-W-Slash Chart
8. Answer choice replaces a fundamental term with something that seems like a synonym or introduces extreme words - common between numbers - percentages and proportions
'Fill in the Blank'
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
9. Proposes faulty mathematical or logical reasoning - make sure that any substituted expressions are truly synonyms
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Strengthen the Conclusion
Finding the Conclusion
10. Follows on from the conclusion instead of identifying an assumption that underlies the conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Follow on
What Correct answers do
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
11. 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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12. Premise + (assumption) = Conclusion
Finding the Conclusion
Argument Structure
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Draw a Conclusion
13. 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.
Major Question Types
Find the Assumption Questions
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
14. 1. Expose a faulty or tenuous assumption OR 2. Negatively impacts the conclusion directly
Assumption
Boundary Words
What Correct answers do
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
15. 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.
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Weaken the Conclusion
16. 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
S-W-Slash Chart
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Assumption
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
17. 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
Diagramming Efficiently
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Finding the Conclusion
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
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
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Find the Assumption Questions
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
19. 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
Diagramming Efficiently
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
What Correct answers do
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
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
Find the Assumption Questions
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
S-W-Slash Chart
Diagramming Efficiently
21. Provides an assumption that is not actually necessary for the conclusion to be logically valid. - breaks up a category subtype
Premise
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
Boundary Words
Finding the Conclusion
22. Many answer choices weaken the argument instead of strengthening it - make sure to note the question type so as to choose the correct answer
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong Direction
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
23. 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
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
Argument Structure
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
24. 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 - Switching terms
Diagramming Efficiently
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
25. 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.
Diagramming Efficiently
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
The T Diagram
Assumption
26. 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
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Find the Assumption Questions
Extreme Words
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
27. 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.
Identifying the Question Type
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Assumption
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
28. 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
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
29. 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.
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
Boundary Words
What Correct answers do
Major Question Types
30. 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
Boundary Words
Argument Structure
Diagramming Efficiently
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
31. 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
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Premise
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Finding the Conclusion
32. 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. _______
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Extreme Words
Argument Structure
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
33. Unstated parts of an argument that are necessary to reach the given conclusion. NEVER stated in the written argument.
Argument Structure
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
Assumption
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
34. 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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35. 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
Argument Structure
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Draw a Conclusion
LEN Examples
36. 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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37. 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
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
38. 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
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Weaken the Conclusion
Diagramming Efficiently
39. 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
Identifying the Question Type
S-W-Slash Chart
How to Diagram an Argument: The T-Diagram
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
40. 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
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
S-W-Slash Chart
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Conclusion
41. 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
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Strengthen the Conclusion
42. Answers require you to assume at least one piece of information not explicitly presented in the argument.
Signal Words for Premises
S-W-Slash Chart
Boundary Words
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
43. 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
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
44. 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
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
Finding the Conclusion
45. Select a situation that best exemplifies the conclusion
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
The T Diagram
Draw a Conclusion
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
46. Therefore - As a result - Suggests - It follows that - Indicates - Accordingly - So - Consequently - Thus - Hence - Should
Signal Words for Conclusion
The T Diagram
Signal Words for Premises
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
47. Identify the conclusion and choose the best AC that restates or paraphrases it
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Negating an assumption
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
48. 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
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Fill in a logic gap
49. 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
What Correct answers do
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
'Fill in the Blank'
Strengthen the Conclusion
50. 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
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Major Question Types
Extreme Words