ISAT - International Student Admissions Test International Student Admissions Argument Evaluation and Flaws 1

Question 1

A school board member claims: 'Our rival school introduced a mentoring programme and their graduation rates rose by 12%. We should introduce the same programme to achieve the same result.' What is the primary flaw in this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes that what worked in one context will produce identical results in a different context

Answer

The argument falsely assumes that because a programme produced a specific outcome in one school, it will produce the same outcome elsewhere, ignoring differences in student demographics, resources, and culture. This is a false analogy or 'what works there will work here' fallacy.

Question 2

A campaigner argues: 'Either we increase university fees or the quality of education will collapse entirely. We must not let quality collapse, so we have no choice but to raise fees.' What logical flaw does this argument contain?

Accepted Answer

A false dilemma, because it presents only two options when others may exist

Answer

The argument presents only two outcomes — raise fees or education collapses — ignoring other possibilities such as cutting administrative costs, seeking government grants, or restructuring programmes. This is a false dilemma (false dichotomy) fallacy.

Question 3

A health report states: 'Countries that consume more chocolate per capita win more Nobel Prizes per capita. Therefore, eating more chocolate makes people smarter.' What is the best evaluation of this argument?

Accepted Answer

It confuses correlation with causation and ignores alternative explanations

Answer

A statistical correlation between two variables does not establish that one causes the other. Both higher chocolate consumption and more Nobel Prizes could be explained by a third factor, such as national wealth. The argument commits the correlation-equals-causation fallacy.

Question 4

A university spokesperson says: 'Our most famous alumnus, a celebrated film director, has publicly stated that our new admission policy is fair. His view should settle the debate.' What flaw is present in this argument?

Accepted Answer

The argument appeals to an authority whose fame is in an unrelated field, making the endorsement irrelevant

Answer

The film director has expertise in cinema, not admissions policy or educational fairness. Citing a celebrity in an unrelated domain as a definitive authority is an appeal to irrelevant authority fallacy.

Question 5

'Students who study abroad for a semester consistently report higher satisfaction with their university experience. We should therefore require all students to study abroad.' Which of the following best identifies the flaw in this argument?

Accepted Answer

It assumes that a policy beneficial for self-selected volunteers will produce the same outcome when imposed on everyone

Answer

Students who voluntarily choose to study abroad may be more motivated, financially able, or adventurous — making them a biased sample. Assuming a mandatory policy will replicate these results ignores that the group opting in differs significantly from all students.

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test Practice Test

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test Practice Test

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test International Student Admissions Argument Evaluation and Flaws 1