Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Mainline Airlines

Expert replies
by joshhowatt » Fri May 04, 2012 1:59 pm
Mainline Airways was bought by its employees six years ago. Three years ago, Mainline hired QualiCo Advertising Agency to handle its promotions and advertising division. Today Mainline's profits are over 20 percent higher than they were five years ago and 10 percent higher than they were three years ago. Employee ownership and a good advertising agency have combined to make Mainline more profitable.
Which of the following best describes the weak point in the argument above?
(A) It fails to establish a causal connection between the change in ownership at Mainline Airways and the hiring of QualiCo, on the one hand, and the rise in Mainline's profits, on the other.
(B) It presents no evidence showing that employee-owned airlines are any more profitable than other airlines.
(C) It assumes that the profits of Mainline Airways will continue to rise.
(D) It gives no exact figures for the current profits of Mainline Airways.
(E) It fails to explain how the profits of Mainline Airways are calculated.

I have a real problem with the official answer for this quetsion. Can someone please explain how the answer is A and not B?

My justification for the reasoning for Bis:

[spoiler]The assumption is that because of employee ownership and a good advertising agency,the company today is more profitable. So we have two supposed components that have attributed to success: Employee ownership and good avertising.

Isn't it feesible to think that maybe the increase in bussiness is due solely to the advertising push and may have nothing to do with it being a company run by employees. That would undermine the conclusion.[/spoiler]

Please, advise.
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by ice_rush » Fri May 04, 2012 6:19 pm
(A) seems to be fine. All other choices are miles apart from the argument.

We need to focus on the conclusion. The conclusion is that employee ownership and advertising have made Mainline more profitable --> we are NOT concerned about Mainline's profits with respect to other airlines. therefore (B) is wrong.

overall, i don't think it's a good question.

What is the source?
Join the discussion

by Bill@VeritasPrep » Fri May 04, 2012 7:52 pm
ice_rush wrote:(A) seems to be fine. All other choices are miles apart from the argument.

We need to focus on the conclusion. The conclusion is that employee ownership and advertising have made Mainline more profitable --> we are NOT concerned about Mainline's profits with respect to other airlines. therefore (B) is wrong.

overall, i don't think it's a good question.

What is the source?
Nailed it. The argument compares Mainline today to Mainline in the past, not Mainline to other airlines.
Join Veritas Prep’s 2010 Instructor of the Year, Matt Douglas for GMATT Mondays

Visit the Veritas Prep Blog

Try the FREE Veritas Prep Practice Test
Join the discussion