GMAC GMAC Critical Reasoning 1

Question 1

A GMAT Critical Reasoning argument states: 'All employees who meet their targets receive bonuses. Jane received a bonus.' Which conclusion is valid?

Accepted Answer

Jane may or may not have met her targets

Answer

The argument does not state that bonuses are given ONLY to employees who meet targets, so Jane could have received a bonus for another reason.

Question 2

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument: 'Since the city installed more streetlights, crime has dropped 20%. Therefore, streetlights reduce crime.'?

Accepted Answer

The city also increased police patrols during the same period

Answer

If police patrols also increased simultaneously, they could be the real cause of the crime drop, weakening the causal claim.

Question 3

An argument concludes that a new drug is safe because no side effects appeared in a 2-week trial. The biggest flaw in this reasoning is:

Accepted Answer

The trial was too short to detect long-term side effects

Answer

Two weeks is insufficient to identify long-term or delayed side effects, making the safety conclusion premature.

Question 4

'Most successful entrepreneurs dropped out of college. Therefore, dropping out of college increases one's chance of entrepreneurial success.' This argument commits which error?

Accepted Answer

Confusing correlation with causation

Answer

The argument incorrectly infers that dropout status causes success rather than recognizing it as a correlated trait.

Question 5

Which of the following best strengthens the argument: 'Employees who work from home are more productive than those in the office'?

Accepted Answer

A study shows home workers complete 13% more tasks per day

Answer

Empirical data showing higher task completion directly supports the productivity claim.

GMAC - Graduate Management Admission Council Practice Test

GMAC - Graduate Management Admission Council Practice Test

GMAC GMAC Critical Reasoning 1