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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 - Reflects opinions or claims and that these are true or that a sequence of events will occur in a way the argument assumes.
'Fill in the Blank'
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
2. Identify information that would help evaluate the validity of a given conclusion - the correct AC will provide a way to TEST the conclusion
Premise
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
What Correct answers do
3. Answers require you to assume at least one piece of information not explicitly presented in the argument.
Find the Assumption Questions
Finding the Conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
Draw a Conclusion
4. The answer choice MUST be true!
Conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
5. 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
Find the Assumption Questions
Fill in a logic gap
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Finding the Conclusion
6. 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.
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
Boundary Words
Major Question Types
7. 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.
Weaken the Conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
8. 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
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Diagramming Efficiently
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
9. Therefore - As a result - Suggests - It follows that - Indicates - Accordingly - So - Consequently - Thus - Hence - Should
Signal Words for Conclusion
The T Diagram
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
LEN Examples
10. 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.
Establish the feasibility of the premises of an argument
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Weaken the Conclusion
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
11. 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
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Find the Assumption Questions
12. 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
Extreme Words
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Identifying the Question Type
13. 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 T Diagram
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
The 'Therefore' test
14. Follows on from the conclusion instead of identifying an assumption that underlies the conclusion
'Fill in the Blank'
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Follow on
Draw a Conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
15. 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.
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
LEN Examples
16. 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
Assumption
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
What Correct answers do
17. 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
Argument Structure
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Boundary Words
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
18. 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
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
S-W-Slash Chart
Negating an assumption
Premise
19. 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
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
20. 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
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Weaken the Conclusion
'Fill in the Blank'
21. 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
Signal Words for Premises
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
Premise
22. Provides an assumption that is not actually necessary for the conclusion to be logically valid. - breaks up a category subtype
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Finding the Conclusion
Identifying the Question Type
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
23. Answer choice provides the opposite of what you are looking for
Strengthen the Conclusion
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Wrong direction
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Out of Scope
24. 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
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
Identify all claims from facts (which can be proven) - Alternate Way to Find the Conclusion
Weaken the Conclusion: Argument/Counterargument
Finding the Conclusion
25. Provides a conclusion that is opposite of what the argument says.
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Conclusion
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Wrong Direction
26. 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
Fill in a logic gap
Identifying the Question Type
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
Can eliminate alternate causes for a given conclusion
27. The main point of the argument - logically supported by the assumptions and premises. In the form of an opinion or claim.
Conclusion
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - No ties to the conclusion
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
28. 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. _______
Major Question Types
Identifying the Question Type
Extreme Words
Finding the Conclusion
29. 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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30. 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
Identifying the Question Type
Boundary Words
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
31. 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
S-W-Slash Chart
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Conclusion
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
32. Proposes faulty mathematical or logical reasoning - make sure that any substituted expressions are truly synonyms
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Weaken the Conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
33. 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
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
The T Diagram
Weaken 'EXCEPT' Questions
34. 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
Extreme Words
Signal Words for Conclusion
Mimic the Argument A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Minor Question Type: Explain an Event or Discrepancy
35. 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
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Identifying the Parts of an Argument
Strengthen the Conclusion
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
36. Explains or leads to a premise instead of the conclusion
'Fill in the Blank'
Find the Assumption Questions
LEN: Least Extreme Negation Technique
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Addresses the premise only
37. 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
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
The 'Therefore' test
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Follow on
38. Unstated parts of an argument that are necessary to reach the given conclusion. NEVER stated in the written argument.
Strengthen the Conclusion: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No Tie to the Conclusion
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Assumption
39. Select a situation that best exemplifies the conclusion
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Assumption
Finding the Conclusion
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
40. 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 -
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
Answer Choices: Process of Elimination
Boundary Words
LEN Examples
41. 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: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Fill in a logic gap
Boundary Words
Argument Structure
42. 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
Wrong Answer Choice Types: Draw a Conclusion - Switching Terms
Find the Assumption Questions
Major Question Types
Strengthen the Conclusion
43. 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
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
Assumption: Ties to the Conclusion
The AC that gives a new - fact-based premise
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
44. 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
Resolve a Problem A Minor Question Type (MQT)
'Except' and 'Fill in the Blank' Questions
Boundary & Extreme Words in Answer Choices
45. Premise + (assumption) = Conclusion
Evaluate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
'Fill in the Blank'
Argument Structure
S-W-Slash Chart
46. Answer choice replaces a fundamental term with something that seems like a synonym or introduces extreme words - common between numbers - percentages and proportions
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
Assumptions: Wrong Answer Choices - Switching terms
Draw a Conclusion: Stay Close to the Premises
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
47. Identify the conclusion and choose the best AC that restates or paraphrases it
'Fill in the Blank'
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure - faster approach
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Provide an Example A Minor Question Type (MQT)
48. If an argument involves percentages - use real - concrete numbers. The words inference - assertion - prediction and claim are all synonyms for conclusion.
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - No tie to the conclusion
Use Real Numbers - Make an Inference
Weaken: Wrong Answer Choice Type - Wrong direction
Eliminate alternate paths to reach a given conclusion
49. Stated pieces of information or evidence that provide support for the conclusion (facts - opinions or claims).
MQT: Analyze Argument Structure
The T Diagram
Restate the Conclusion A Minor Question Type (MQT)
Premise
50. 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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