Critical Reasoning

To score in the ninetieth percentile on the GMAT, one must study hard. If one studies four hours a day for one month, she will score in the ninetieth percentile. Hence, if a person scored in the top ten percent on the GMAT, then she must have studied at least four hours a day for one month.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the weakness in the above argument?

(A) The argument fails to take into account that not all test-prep books recommend studying four hours a day for one month.

(B) The argument does not consider that excessive studying can be counterproduc-tive.

(C) The argument does not consider that some people may be able to score in the ninetieth percentile though they studied less than four hours a day for one month.

(D) The argument fails to distinguish between how much people should study and how much they can study.

(E) The author fails to realize that the ninetieth percentile and the top ten percent do not mean the same thing.

OA is C. Why is E wrong?

Vemuri wrote:To score in the ninetieth percentile on the GMAT, one must study hard. If one studies four hours a day for one month, she will score in the ninetieth percentile. Hence, if a person scored in the top ten percent on the GMAT, then she must have studied at least four hours a day for one month.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the weakness in the above argument?

(A) The argument fails to take into account that not all test-prep books recommend studying four hours a day for one month.

(B) The argument does not consider that excessive studying can be counterproduc-tive.

(C) The argument does not consider that some people may be able to score in the ninetieth percentile though they studied less than four hours a day for one month.

(D) The argument fails to distinguish between how much people should study and how much they can study.

(E) The author fails to realize that the ninetieth percentile and the top ten percent do not mean the same thing.

OA is C. Why is E wrong?

What is the argument?

If a person scored in the top ten percent on the GMAT, then she must have studied at least four hours a day for one month.

Think of it as a real world problem. Is it necessarily true?

You can study 2 hours a day for 2 months and score the same.

C) does that task effectively. I am not a statistic person. Hence, I don't know percentiles.

Agree with (C)

What about B), can it be considered as weakness?

between C and E, E is definitely out, so C
90th percentile means top 10 percent, so E does not stand

I would go with option C as the correct option

I feel C is the answer. I guess I'm right.