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proportion of women

by Ankitaverma » Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:57 pm
The proportion of women among students enrolled in higher education programs has increased over the past decades. This is partly shown by the fact that in 1959, only 11 percent of the women between twenty and twenty-one were enrolled in college, while in 1981, 30 percent of the women between twenty and twenty-one were enrolled in college.

To evaluate the argument above, it would be most useful to compare 1959 and 1981 with regard to which of the following characteristics?

(A) The percentage of women between twenty and twenty-one who were not enrolled in college
(B) The percentage of women between twenty and twenty-five who graduated from college
(C) The percentage of women who, after attending college, entered highly paid professions
(D) The percentage of men between twenty and twenty-one who were enrolled in college
(E) The percentage of men who graduated from high school

q/a-d
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by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Tue Dec 10, 2013 11:57 pm
Ankitaverma wrote:The proportion of women among students enrolled in higher education programs has increased over the past decades. This is partly shown by the fact that in 1959, only 11 percent of the women between twenty and twenty-one were enrolled in college, while in 1981, 30 percent of the women between twenty and twenty-one were enrolled in college.

To evaluate the argument above, it would be most useful to compare 1959 and 1981 with regard to which of the following characteristics?

(A) The percentage of women between twenty and twenty-one who were not enrolled in college
(B) The percentage of women between twenty and twenty-five who graduated from college
(C) The percentage of women who, after attending college, entered highly paid professions
(D) The percentage of men between twenty and twenty-one who were enrolled in college
(E) The percentage of men who graduated from high school

q/a-d
Hi!

When asked to find the answer that would most help you evaluate the argument, look for the gap - in other words, the author's assumption. The correct answer will be directly relevant to determining whether the assumption is valid.

Here, we have a classic scope shift. The author is drawing a conclusion about the proportion of women among all students (i.e. women and men) enrolled in higher ed, yet only provides evidence comparing women in 1959 to women in 1981. What's missing? Info about men!

So, we quickly eliminate A, B and C, which are also about women. E focuses on the % of men who graduated from high school - that's out of scope, eliminate that one too! Confidently pick D.

Why is D relevant? Well, if the % of men in that age group enrolled in college also went from 11% to 30%, then the proportion of men:women would be the same today as it was then. If the proportion showed less of an in increase over the years, then we'd believe that the proportion of women among students is indeed higher today than it once was.

Hope that helps!

Stuart
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by Abhishek009 » Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:49 am
Double Post ...


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Last edited by Abhishek009 on Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Abhishek009 » Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:49 am
Ankitaverma wrote:The proportion of women among students enrolled in higher education programs has increased over the past decades. This is partly shown by the fact that in 1959, only 11 percent of the women between twenty and twenty-one were enrolled in college, while in 1981, 30 percent of the women between twenty and twenty-one were enrolled in college.
1. Proportion of Women going for higher education has increased.

2. 1959 - 11% Women between age 20 - 21 enrolled in college , while in 1981 - 30% women between age 20 - 21 enrolled in college.

Notice the blue highlighted part carefully , the passage mentions -

" ... 11 percent of the women ... " & " ....30 percent of the women .... " We are presented with a picture of the Women Population...

If Total Number of Women in 1959 between the age group of 20 - 21 years is 100 - then 11 go for higher education

And If Total Number of Women in 1981 between the age group of 20 - 21 years is 100 - then 30 go for higher education.

We do not information of the data of the entire Population..

To evaluate the argument above, it would be most useful to compare 1959 and 1981 with regard to which of the following characteristics?


We are asked to find out what extra bit of information will help us to arrive at the conclusion that women students enrolling for higher education has increased.

(A) The percentage of women between twenty and twenty-one who were not enrolled in college

Irrelevant...

(B) The percentage of women between twenty and twenty-five who graduated from college

Irrelevant...

(C) The percentage of women who, after attending college, entered highly paid professions

Irrelevant...

(D) The percentage of men between twenty and twenty-one who were enrolled in college

Seems a possible answer.

(E) The percentage of men who graduated from high school

Data about men who graduate from high school is not relevant..


So IMO (D)
Abhishek
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