[MGMAT] One more I am not in sync with MGMAT's OA

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According to a recent research study, more than 90% percent of graduates of private high schools in a certain county continue their education in college. By contrast, only 65% of graduates of public high schools subsequently pursue college education. Therefore, if parents in the county wish to increase the likelihood that their children will attend college, they should send them to private rather than public schools.

Which of the following statements would most seriously weaken the argument above?
A)Graduates of private schools typically score higher on standardized tests and other tests of academic achievement.
B)While private schools are typically very expensive, attendance of public school is free for the residents of the county.
C)In comparison with graduates of private schools, a substantially greater proportion of public school graduates receive need-based financial aid for their college education.
D)In comparison with private schools, public schools provide more opportunities for student involvement in sports and other athletic activities, which almost always increase the likelihood of students' acceptance to colleges.
E)Since most public schools are located in rural areas of the county populated primarily by farmers, nearly 30% of students from public high schools choose to pursue farming occupations rather than apply to colleges
First take: 640 (50M, 27V) - RC needs 300% improvement
Second take: coming soon..
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HSPA.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by Frankenstein » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:02 am
Hi,
Private School --> More likely that children attend college.
Public School --> Less likely that children attend college.
To weaken this, we need to add an additional cause that is responsible for students in public school not to attend college. E points out that due to rural background, they prefer farming occupations to college. So, even if such students study in a private school in the rural area, he would still prefer farming irrespective of school. IS the answer to this E?
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by gmat25 » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:26 am
Frankenstein wrote:Hi,
Private School --> More likely that children attend college.
Public School --> Less likely that children attend college.
To weaken this, we need to add an additional cause that is responsible for students in public school not to attend college. E points out that due to rural background, they prefer farming occupations to college. So, even if such students study in a private school in the rural area, he would still prefer farming irrespective of school. IS the answer to this E?
Hi, even i had the same reasoning and select Op E only

One more thing to add @HSPA, if u are inclined towards Op D, then here if u see, Op D and Op C are somewhere same and since 2 op'ns cannot be the answer u can drop both of them.

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by HSPA » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:45 am
I went for B :).. because the percentages taken was not told for equal number.

Example:
Privite school charges 10 grant for education so only 10 childern joined it.
Public school charges 0 so 10,000 childern joined it.

Now number of children from privite school ending up in college = 9 compared to 6,500 public school children
First take: 640 (50M, 27V) - RC needs 300% improvement
Second take: coming soon..
Regards,
HSPA.

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by HSPA » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:45 am
OA is E
First take: 640 (50M, 27V) - RC needs 300% improvement
Second take: coming soon..
Regards,
HSPA.

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by HSPA » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:46 am
OA is E
First take: 640 (50M, 27V) - RC needs 300% improvement
Second take: coming soon..
Regards,
HSPA.

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by Frankenstein » Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:57 am
HSPA wrote:I went for B :).. because the percentages taken was not told for equal number.

Example:
Privite school charges 10 grant for education so only 10 childern joined it.
Public school charges 0 so 10,000 childern joined it.

Now number of children from privite school ending up in college = 9 compared to 6,500 public school children
Hi,
Here the comparison is not between absolute number of students. It is only about the percentage of students attending college. When the author talks about likeliness it is nothing but the rate of success i.e probability that the student attends college. So, option B is not going to add anything to weaken the argument.
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by HSPA » Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:27 am
I mis-interpreted the conclusion and missed the word likelihood.

Thanks frank..
First take: 640 (50M, 27V) - RC needs 300% improvement
Second take: coming soon..
Regards,
HSPA.