GMAT Prep – Critical Reasoning 101

Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to use basic logic to analyze and critique arguments made up of premises and conclusions. GMAT test-makers write arguments that assume information which doesn’t exist! A logical and consistent approach is the best way to avoid formulaic traps.

Follow these steps each time you attack Critical Reasoning questions.

• Read the question first
• Read the argument
• Paraphrase the argument using your own words
• Predict the answer
• Use the process of Error Identification to eliminate the wrong answers

Read the question first

It’s natural to read the question after the argument because that’s how they’re presented on the page. This is done for a reason – reading the argument first is confusing.

Read the question and determine what to look for within the answer choices. In general, you’ll be looking for the answer choices that either strengthen or weaken the argument.
Think of answer choices as additional premises. Adding any one answer choice to the argument will do one of three things:

1. It will weaken the argument.
2. It will strengthen the argument.
2. It will not affect the argument at all (neutral).
3. It has nothing to do with the argument (out of scope).

Determine which of the eight kinds of Critical Reasoning questions you’re facing before turning to the argument itself.

Read the argument

1. Identify each premise (each piece of information) that is being presented within the argument.
2. Identify the argument’s conclusion.
3. Determine what assumptions are being made.

Paraphrase the argument using your own words

Critical Reasoning arguments are intentionally heavy, wordy and complex. Paraphrasing is a good way of understanding the sense an argument presented. Take the time, if necessary, and restate an argument, using words and situations that you can relate to.

Predict the answer

So, you’ve read the argument. You understand it. You can identify it’s premises and it’s conclusion. Now imagine additional premises (additional pieces of information) and what affect each would have on the argument overall. Brainstorm for a moment. Imagine which additional premise would best strengthen the argument. What one thing could you add that would completely fix it? Now imagine the opposite. How could you weaken the argument? How could you completely destroy it? This is perhaps the most important step in the process. Answer choices are intentionally misleading, and you can use your predictions as a measuring stick with which to compare the choices given to you by ETS.

Use the process of Error Identification to eliminate the wrong answers

Think of answer choices as additional premises. As you read each choice, ask yourself, “How would this additional premise affect the strength or weakness of the argument’s conclusion?”

Categorize answer choices as one of the following:
1. Strengthen
2. Weaken
2. Neutral
3. Out of scope

Use the Process of Error Identification to get rid of any choices that do not affect the conclusion (neutral) or have nothing to do with the argument whatsoever (out of scope). Whether you eliminate strengthen or weaken answer choices depends on the question related with that argument.

Information was provided by GMAT Club, visit GMAT Club to find more GMAT critical reasoning resources