Critical Reasoning

Hello,
I wanted to ask a question regarding CR. I just finished doing the questions regarding assumptions from OG and my hit rate was a pathetic 58% (16/28). Needless to say, my confidence is very low and I was really feeling down after doing CR. I just end up sometimes thinking on a tangential line and mark the wrong answer right. Even on reading the explanation, I end up telling myself, “Well that is fine, but there is not much wrong with my answer.” Just a little frustrated. Any tips suggestions regarding CR and improving CR will be very helpful.

Kunal.

Kunal,


Assumption question are indeed challenging even to a CR master.

Most of us are on the same boat so not to worry.... Powerscore GMAT CR bible has an entire chapter dedicated to these questions and its worth a read.


Here are few pointers for handling assumption questions:

1) Negate the answer choice and if it weakens the conclusion then that is your answer since the argument cant stand if its dumped. This is what is called as the defender assumption i.e. it contains statements that eliminates ideas or arguments that would undermine the conclusion

Refer: https://www.beatthegmat.com/gold-mining-t31999.html

Sometimes there could be contenders which make this more difficult and in that case u pick the one that would cause the conlcusion to fall apart more than the other one



2) For some questions the assumption(unstated premise) would be something that would connect the conclusion to the premise stated earlier. These fill the logical gaps in the argument.

Refer: https://www.beatthegmat.com/classics-t32070.html

Eliminate answer choices if its:

1) Rephrase of the already stated premise (since an assumption would be an unstated premise)

Simple example:

Premise1(stated in the argument) + Premise2 (stated in the argument) + Unstated Premise(assumption) ------> Conclusion


Check this post out from Ron:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/failing-mise ... 30367.html



Experts/Others please feel free to chip in if I have made any mistakes or want to provide more insight on hadling this question type. Hope this helps!

Regards,
Cramya

Its a good initiative as everyone can share their approach which in turn benefits all..

Regards,
Cramya