Critical Reasoning

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.

OAE

WhyD is wrong? D is easily weaken the argument.

Also please explain why E is right?

Many thanks in advance.

Kavin

The argument basically states that -
Private schools --> higher likelihood of attending college.

The question is asking us to weaken the argument. One way to weaken a cause and effect question is through reverse causation. What if we said that those students who have a higher likelihood of attending college tend to attend private schools. Then my argument that attending private schools leads to a higher likelihood of attending college would be weakened.

A - strengthens the argument. If graduates of private schools score higher on standardized tests, then it would be better to attend private schools.
B - The argument talks about the likelihood of pursuing college education, not about the fees. Not relevant.
C - Does not matter. Even with such aid, the percentage of students from such schools who attend college is much lesser than that from private schools.
D - does not matter. Even with such activities, the percentage of students who attend college is less than the percentage from private schools.
E - correct answer. suggests that probably the profile of students who attend private schools and not the private schools themselves is responsible for the fact that a high percentage of students attend college. Or that since the profile of students who attend public schools is responsible for the fact that only 65% of students from public schools attend college.
So, since only 70% of high school graduates from public schools are interested in getting into college, the new likelihood would be - 65%/70% = 93% > 90%. Weakens the argument.