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Private and public schools

Expert replies
by oex85 » Thu Aug 11, 2011 1:31 pm
This question is from an MGMAT CAT. Not gonna say anything about it just yet...

Here goes:


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.
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by GmatKiss » Thu Aug 11, 2011 2:33 pm
Mixed with C,D and E.

[spoiler]IMO:E[/spoiler]
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by GmatKiss » Thu Aug 11, 2011 2:40 pm
E tells us Public schools are better than private schools
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by XLogic » Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:27 pm
IMO D

I think D weakens the argument because it shows that public schools provide an avenue to college that private schools do not.

What's the OA?
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by oex85 » Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:33 pm
OA is E but I don't get the leap needed to reach the correct way of reasoning (and how to solve similar Q:s). Any input is appreciated!
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by XLogic » Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:51 pm
oex85 wrote:OA is E but I don't get the leap needed to reach the correct way of reasoning (and how to solve similar Q:s). Any input is appreciated!
There must be some rational explanation for E. I am also interested in the explanation.
Interesting OA!
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by gmatjeet » Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:45 am
D

Cnt believe that the right answer is E.
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by coderversion1 » Fri Aug 12, 2011 5:27 am
IMO this is another example (although a weak one) of ambiguity in MGMAT CAT CR's. Although here choice E is more appropriate than the other two (D and C), its quite clear as it rejects validity of premises rather than suggesting alternate reasons, which according to MGMAT is preferable.

I am quite a fan of MGMAT prep courses and especially SC of MGMAT. I found CR's little out of pattern in their answer choices. There can be many clear winners, unlike GMAT which has only one answer choice 100% correct.
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by Ozlemg » Fri Aug 12, 2011 8:16 am
oex85 wrote:This question is from an MGMAT CAT. Not gonna say anything about it just yet...

Here goes:


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.
We have to weaken the argument that is "if my child goes to private school, it is very likely that he will be accepted to college" In order to incraese the likeness of acceptance , private schools are better than those of public."

E clearly states that "no, case is different here. Public school students do not continue to college education because they chose to be farmers. There is nothing wrong with the public school. But the types of students attending the two types of schools are different"



D is not a strong weakener as E.Because not that private school in itself causes college attendance...
The more you suffer before the test, the less you will do so in the test! :)
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by XLogic » Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:37 pm
Ozlemg wrote: We have to weaken the argument that is "if my child goes to private school, it is very likely that he will be accepted to college" In order to incraese the likeness of acceptance , private schools are better than those of public."

E clearly states that "no, case is different here. Public school students do not continue to college education because they chose to be farmers. There is nothing wrong with the public school. But the types of students attending the two types of schools are different"


D is not a strong weakener as E.Because not that private school in itself causes college attendance...
I get it now! Had to step away, come back and read this post.(E) introduces the notion that the gap between college bound students in public and private schools has a different explanation. "Going to college is not based on public/private school, it is based on individual choice influenced by his/her environment!". The students in public schools were influenced by their macro environment, not by the public school they attended.

Therefore, if Mrs. Jones sends her 5 boys to private high school in a rural county surrounded by successful farmers, it is possible that "farming" will have a bigger influence on whether the kids go on to college than the fact that they attended private school.

Thanks for the explanation :-)
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by oex85 » Fri Aug 12, 2011 3:04 pm
Ya, got it now too. Thanks Ozlemg! Really helpled to go back and study weakening questions again as well...

Thx to XLogic too!

LETS GO PPL - 800!:)
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by Ozlemg » Sat Aug 13, 2011 5:38 am
I am glad to help you :)
The more you suffer before the test, the less you will do so in the test! :)
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