School Survey

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imskpwr: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 377; Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:45 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 10 times

by imskpwr » Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:51 am

According to a recent school survey, the number of students who regularly attend religious services on campus has increased 50 percent from the figure 10 years ago. It must be an increased spirituality at our college that has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams during this period.

Which of the following, if true, most significantly weakens the inference above?

Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons.

Spirituality can be expressed and felt without attendance at regular religious services.

Fifteen years ago, the college switched from an honor system to one involving closely monitored faculty-proctored exams.

Not all students who attend religious services regularly on campus responded to the survey.

Cheating has not been a major problem at this school in the past.

OA after discussions.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:51 am

niketdoshi123: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 210; Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:24 pmFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 62 times

by niketdoshi123 » Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:05 pm

imskpwr wrote:According to a recent school survey, the number of students who regularly attend religious services on campus has increased 50 percent from the figure 10 years ago. It must be an increased spirituality at our college that has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams during this period.

Which of the following, if true, most significantly weakens the inference above?

Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons.

Spirituality can be expressed and felt without attendance at regular religious services.

Fifteen years ago, the college switched from an honor system to one involving closely monitored faculty-proctored exams.

Not all students who attend religious services regularly on campus responded to the survey.

Cheating has not been a major problem at this school in the past.

OA after discussions.

This is a cause => effect question.
Cause: Increased spirituality at the college.
Effect: massively reduced cheating incidences on exams.

To weaken the conclusion we need to look for a choice that suggests an alternative cause.
Option C suggests that its because of involvement of closely monitored faculty-proctored exams, the college has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams.

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shovan85: Community Manager; Posts: 991; Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:19 amFollowed by: 24 members; Location: Bangalore, India; Thanked: 146 times

by shovan85 » Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:40 pm

niketdoshi123 wrote:
imskpwr wrote:According to a recent school survey, the number of students who regularly attend religious services on campus has increased 50 percent from the figure 10 years ago. It must be an increased spirituality at our college that has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams during this period.

Which of the following, if true, most significantly weakens the inference above?

Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons.

Spirituality can be expressed and felt without attendance at regular religious services.

Fifteen years ago, the college switched from an honor system to one involving closely monitored faculty-proctored exams.

Not all students who attend religious services regularly on campus responded to the survey.

Cheating has not been a major problem at this school in the past.

OA after discussions.
This is a cause => effect question.
Cause: Increased spirituality at the college.
Effect: massively reduced cheating incidences on exams.

To weaken the conclusion we need to look for a choice that suggests an alternative cause.
Option C suggests that its because of involvement of closely monitored faculty-proctored exams, the college has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams.

If 15 years ago a stringent role has been applied, then how come cheating has decreased over last 10 years (Can have a look at the passage BOLD part). IMO C cannot be the answer.

If the problem is Easy Respect it, if the problem is tough Attack it

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imskpwr: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 377; Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:45 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 10 times

by imskpwr » Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:50 am

shovan85 wrote:
niketdoshi123 wrote:
imskpwr wrote:According to a recent school survey, the number of students who regularly attend religious services on campus has increased 50 percent from the figure 10 years ago. It must be an increased spirituality at our college that has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams during this period.

Which of the following, if true, most significantly weakens the inference above?

Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons.

Spirituality can be expressed and felt without attendance at regular religious services.

Fifteen years ago, the college switched from an honor system to one involving closely monitored faculty-proctored exams.

Not all students who attend religious services regularly on campus responded to the survey.

Cheating has not been a major problem at this school in the past.

OA after discussions.
This is a cause => effect question.
Cause: Increased spirituality at the college.
Effect: massively reduced cheating incidences on exams.

To weaken the conclusion we need to look for a choice that suggests an alternative cause.
Option C suggests that its because of involvement of closely monitored faculty-proctored exams, the college has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams.
If 15 years ago a stringent role has been applied, then how come cheating has decreased over last 10 years (Can have a look at the passage BOLD part). IMO C cannot be the answer.

So wat's your pick.

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shovan85: Community Manager; Posts: 991; Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:19 amFollowed by: 24 members; Location: Bangalore, India; Thanked: 146 times

by shovan85 » Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:02 am

imskpwr wrote:According to a recent school survey, the number of students who regularly attend religious services on campus has increased 50 percent from the figure 10 years ago. It must be an increased spirituality at our college that has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams during this period.

Which of the following, if true, most significantly weakens the inference above?

A) Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons.

B) Spirituality can be expressed and felt without attendance at regular religious services. ( Good that spirituality is felt but not related to the argument)

C) Fifteen years ago, the college switched from an honor system to one involving closely monitored faculty-proctored exams. (Timeline mismatch: If 15 years ago a stringent role has been applied, then how come cheating has decreased over last 10 years)

D) Not all students who attend religious services regularly on campus responded to the survey.

E) Cheating has not been a major problem at this school in the past. (Not related to the argument)

OA after discussions.

Left with A and D. As far as D is concerned, NOT ALL STUDENTS - that means with data from LESS students who attend the services, gives the survey a claim saying it's decreasing the incidences of cheating! So, if the survey includes all students, that will STRENGTHEN the argument. D strengthens the Argument here. Left out is A.

If we analyze A, Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons. It says Campus Services, not Religious services of the campus. There can be other services as well. So, for reduced incidences of cheating reason cannot be Spirituality.

If the problem is Easy Respect it, if the problem is tough Attack it

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imskpwr: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 377; Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:45 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 10 times

by imskpwr » Thu Jul 26, 2012 6:05 am

shovan85 wrote:
imskpwr wrote:According to a recent school survey, the number of students who regularly attend religious services on campus has increased 50 percent from the figure 10 years ago. It must be an increased spirituality at our college that has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams during this period.

Which of the following, if true, most significantly weakens the inference above?

A) Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons.

B) Spirituality can be expressed and felt without attendance at regular religious services. ( Good that spirituality is felt but not related to the argument)

C) Fifteen years ago, the college switched from an honor system to one involving closely monitored faculty-proctored exams. (Timeline mismatch: If 15 years ago a stringent role has been applied, then how come cheating has decreased over last 10 years)

D) Not all students who attend religious services regularly on campus responded to the survey.

E) Cheating has not been a major problem at this school in the past. (Not related to the argument)

OA after discussions.
Left with A and D. As far as D is concerned, NOT ALL STUDENTS - that means with data from LESS students who attend the services, gives the survey a claim saying it's decreasing the incidences of cheating! So, if the survey includes all students, that will STRENGTHEN the argument. D strengthens the Argument here. Left out is A.

If we analyze A, Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons. It says Campus Services, not Religious services of the campus. There can be other services as well. So, for reduced incidences of cheating reason cannot be Spirituality.

Not getting how A is a weakener?
I chose C because I had no other choice left.

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shovan85: Community Manager; Posts: 991; Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:19 amFollowed by: 24 members; Location: Bangalore, India; Thanked: 146 times

by shovan85 » Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:13 am

imskpwr wrote:Not getting how A is a weakener?
I chose C because I had no other choice left.

I understand this problem can be solved by POE. However, when you are dealing with Percentage and when you see strong words as MUST, you have to be cautious.

PERCENTAGE - You do not know how many students are in the religious service. For instance there were 1000 students in Total and Religious service had 10 in it (before 10 years). Now, if the Total student strength still stays 1000, then number of students in the service will be 15. Does this number make an impact on morale of students?

MUST- As, option A says, students can be in "Campus services" - it can be various (might be a service which is about demerits of cheating in exam). So, we cannot narrow it down to only Religious Services (so as the Spirituality).

If the problem is Easy Respect it, if the problem is tough Attack it

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imskpwr: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 377; Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:45 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 10 times

by imskpwr » Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:42 am

shovan85 wrote:
imskpwr wrote:Not getting how A is a weakener?
I chose C because I had no other choice left.
I understand this problem can be solved by POE. However, when you are dealing with Percentage and when you see strong words as MUST, you have to be cautious.

MUST- As, option A says, students can be in "Campus services" - it can be various (might be a service which is about demerits of cheating in exam). So, we cannot narrow it down to only Religious Services (so as the Spirituality).

A) Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons

You are deducing that there may be MANY "services": campus services, religious services, etc.
MOST of the students who now attend campus services do so for social reasons.
so how can we ASSUME that it could be CAMPUS SERVICES for such increased "Spirituality".

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shovan85: Community Manager; Posts: 991; Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:19 amFollowed by: 24 members; Location: Bangalore, India; Thanked: 146 times

by shovan85 » Fri Jul 27, 2012 3:06 am

imskpwr wrote:
shovan85 wrote:
imskpwr wrote:Not getting how A is a weakener?
I chose C because I had no other choice left.
I understand this problem can be solved by POE. However, when you are dealing with Percentage and when you see strong words as MUST, you have to be cautious.

MUST- As, option A says, students can be in "Campus services" - it can be various (might be a service which is about demerits of cheating in exam). So, we cannot narrow it down to only Religious Services (so as the Spirituality).

A) Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons

You are deducing that there may be MANY "services": campus services, religious services, etc.
MOST of the students who now attend campus services do so for social reasons.
so how can we ASSUME that it could be CAMPUS SERVICES for such increased "Spirituality".

Yes! And also, most students attend services for social reasons, and not religious reasons, that would seriously weaken the author's argument.

If the problem is Easy Respect it, if the problem is tough Attack it

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umeshpatil: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 79; Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 7:23 pm; Thanked: 10 times

by umeshpatil » Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:54 pm

Premise: Attendance for religious services INCREASED by 50% within 10 years.

Conclusion: Spirituality responsible for voidance of cheating.

Links used for conclusion:
(attend religious services)--> (gain spirituality)---> (avoid cheating)

We need to disconnect the link (not attacking the statement itself) . Option B does this. My answer: B.

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Indianblondienyc: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:02 am

by Indianblondienyc » Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:25 pm

My Answer Is D.whats the OA?

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Ludacrispat26: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 113; Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:51 am; Thanked: 10 times; GMAT Score:690

by Ludacrispat26 » Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:32 am

imskpwr wrote:According to a recent school survey, the number of students who regularly attend religious services on campus has increased 50 percent from the figure 10 years ago. It must be an increased spirituality at our college that has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams during this period.

Which of the following, if true, most significantly weakens the inference above?

Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons.

Spirituality can be expressed and felt without attendance at regular religious services.

Fifteen years ago, the college switched from an honor system to one involving closely monitored faculty-proctored exams.

Not all students who attend religious services regularly on campus responded to the survey.

Cheating has not been a major problem at this school in the past.

OA after discussions.

C, easily. The inference is a hypothesis about the causal factor behind a decreased rate of cheating. C gives another compelling possibility as to why spirituality may not be the causal factor (i.e. because increased monitoring during exams is actually the causal factor).

Don't stop believin'...

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tisrar02: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 130; Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:13 amFollowed by: 4 members; Location: Toronto, Ontario; Thanked: 16 times; GMAT Score:650

by tisrar02 » Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:43 pm

A, B, D and E all seem so irrelevant to me. C is the only one that actually speaks about the topic being asked.

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confuse mind: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 462; Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:08 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 10 times

by confuse mind » Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:16 pm

IMO - C

College shifted to proctored exams 15 years back and the benefits from that started coming and the results can be witnessed in the time-frame of 15 years.

The improvement and the change is a gradual process and not an overnight thing.

If we analyze the data of last 10 years there was significant change and improvement.

OA -? please

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Practicegmat: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 27; Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:04 am

by Practicegmat » Sun Aug 05, 2012 5:52 am

imskpwr wrote:
shovan85 wrote:
imskpwr wrote:According to a recent school survey, the number of students who regularly attend religious services on campus has increased 50 percent from the figure 10 years ago. It must be an increased spirituality at our college that has massively reduced incidences of cheating on exams during this period.

Which of the following, if true, most significantly weakens the inference above?

A) Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons.

B) Spirituality can be expressed and felt without attendance at regular religious services. ( Good that spirituality is felt but not related to the argument)

C) Fifteen years ago, the college switched from an honor system to one involving closely monitored faculty-proctored exams. (Timeline mismatch: If 15 years ago a stringent role has been applied, then how come cheating has decreased over last 10 years)

D) Not all students who attend religious services regularly on campus responded to the survey.

E) Cheating has not been a major problem at this school in the past. (Not related to the argument)

OA after discussions.
Left with A and D. As far as D is concerned, NOT ALL STUDENTS - that means with data from LESS students who attend the services, gives the survey a claim saying it's decreasing the incidences of cheating! So, if the survey includes all students, that will STRENGTHEN the argument. D strengthens the Argument here. Left out is A.

If we analyze A, Most of the students who now attend campus services do so largely for social reasons. It says Campus Services, not Religious services of the campus. There can be other services as well. So, for reduced incidences of cheating reason cannot be Spirituality.
Not getting how A is a weakener?
I chose C because I had no other choice left.

In many of the posts I find that users say "OA after the discussions" , but finally they are never "clear" about it.

Hello imskpwr, Please be clear about whether (A) is the OA or not
Thanks

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