The most common type of critical reasoning question asks you to weaken an argument. The GMAT testers expect you to be able to identify one of the following 4 logic flaws:
- Circular reasoning
- Inaccurate cause-and-effect arguments
- Sweeping generalizations
- Unqualified "expert" opinions
These tips and strategies can help you answer these questions correctly:
1. Utilize process of elimination. When the test taker is asked to identify the statement that does the best job of strengthening or weakening an argument, there is almost always at least one answer choice that will do the opposite. If you have read the question carefully, you will be able to quickly eliminate these choices.
2. Become comfortable at "working backwards" on these questions. "Working backwards" – inserting each answer choice into the text and and seeing if the passage still makes sense – is an excellent technique to fall back on if you get stuck on a critical reasoning question. However, it can be time consuming. You may need to re-read a passage 5 times, inserting a different answer choice each time, before you find the choice that seems right to you.
3. Never choose an answer simply because it is true. The answer choice must be a logical extension of the argument made in the passage.
4. Ignore decoys. Often times, GMAT passages contain extraneous sentences and information. Learn to separate these decoys from the rest of the passage so they won't distract you from the content that is important.
5. Avoid answer choices that are emotionally charged or 'over the top.' The correct GMAT answer choices are always emotionally neutral in tone, and moderate in reasoning.
6. Avoid answer choices that make absolute statements. Absolute statements are those that use words such as "always" and "must." The test writers are very biased against these types of statements. Hence, when you encounter an answer choice that makes an absolute statement, you will know that it can be safely eliminated.
