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

OG 13: Custom Prosthetic

Expert replies
by shobhitk » Sun Jul 06, 2014 5:29 am
Although custom prosthetic bone replacements produced through a new computer-aided design process will cost more than twice as much as ordinary replacements, custom replacements should still be cost-effective. Not only will surgery and recovery time be reduced, but custom replacements should last longer, thereby reducing the need for further hospital stays.

Which of the following must be studied in order to evaluate the argument presented above?

(A) The amount of time a patient spends in surgery versus the amount of time spent recovering from surgery

(8) The amount by which the cost of producing custom replacements has declined with the introduction of the new technique for producing them

(C) The degree to which the use of custom replacements is likely to reduce the need for repeat surgery when compared with the use of ordinary replacements

(D) The degree to which custom replacements produced with the new technique are more carefully
manufactured than are ordinary replacements

(E) The amount by which custom replacements produced with the new technique will drop in cost as the production procedures become standardized and applicable on a larger scale

OA C

My doubt is as follows-:

Why aren't A and D considerations for cost effective treatment? At the end, if there is more time spent in recovery or the manufacturing is not effective, there might be additional costs and that may outweigh the saving from the switch to new technology replacements?

Experts please help!!
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by GMATGuruNY » Sun Jul 06, 2014 2:21 pm
shobhitk wrote:Although custom prosthetic bone replacements produced through a new computer-aided design process will cost more than twice as much as ordinary replacements, custom replacements should still be cost-effective. Not only will surgery and recovery time be reduced, but custom replacements should last longer, thereby reducing the need for further hospital stays.

Which of the following must be studied in order to evaluate the argument presented above?

(A) The amount of time a patient spends in surgery versus the amount of time spent recovering from surgery

(8) The amount by which the cost of producing custom replacements has declined with the introduction of the new technique for producing them

(C) The degree to which the use of custom replacements is likely to reduce the need for repeat surgery when compared with the use of ordinary replacements

(D) The degree to which custom replacements produced with the new technique are more carefully
manufactured than are ordinary replacements

(E) The amount by which custom replacements produced with the new technique will drop in cost as the production procedures become standardized and applicable on a larger scale

OA C
Premise: Custom replacements cost twice as much as ordinary replacements, but they will reduce surgery and recovery time and should last longer.
Conclusion: Custom replacements will be cost-effective.

To EVALUATE the argument, we need NEW INFORMATION that either strengthens or weakens the conclusion.
Rephrase the answer choices as strongly worded statements.
Rephrased as a strongly worded statement, the correct answer choice will either strengthen or weaken the conclusion that custom replacements will be cost-effective.

Answer choice C, rephrased:
Custom replacements are very likely to reduce the need for repeat surgery when compared with ordinary replacements.
This rephrase offers another way that custom replacements will reduce long-term costs, strengthening the conclusion that they will be cost-effective.

The correct answer is C.
Why aren't A and D considerations for cost effective treatment? At the end, if there is more time spent in recovery or the manufacturing is not effective, there might be additional costs and that may outweigh the saving from the switch to new technology replacements?

Experts please help!!
A, rephrased: The amount of time a patient spends in surgery is much greater than the amount of time spent recovering from surgery.
Who cares?
It is stated as a PREMISE that both surgery time and recovery time will be reduced.
Whether one amount of time is greater than the other is irrelevant.
Eliminate A.

D, rephrased: Custom replacements produced with the new technique are more carefully manufactured than are ordinary replacements.
This rephrase seems to strengthen the PREMISE that custom replacements will cost twice as much as ordinary replacements.
Any answer choice that strengthens or weakens a premise is WRONG.
A premise is a FACT: it cannot be strengthened or weakened.
The correct answer choice must affect the CONCLUSION.
Eliminate D.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion