GMAC Critical Reasoning Flashcards

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

Answer: Jane may or may not have met her targets

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.

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

Answer: The city also increased police patrols during the same period

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

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:

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

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

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

Answer: Confusing correlation with causation

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

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

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

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

'Either we increase the marketing budget or sales will decline.' Which assumption does this argument rely on?

Answer: No other factors can prevent a sales decline

The either/or structure assumes no other action (like improving the product or cutting price) could maintain sales.