The verbal section of the GMAT includes Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, and Logical Reasoning, which is often called Critical Reasoning.

Logical Reasoning

Logical, or critical reasoning questions test your ability to use logic in creating and analyzing arguments. You will need to be able to identify conclusions, parallels and assumptions following certain arguments. You will also need to find factors that can weaken or support an argument.

These type of questions will always start with a passage of text that describes an argument. It will then have a question based on the argument, and 5 options of which you will have to select the best answer.

Here are a few questions that are often asked in GMAT critical reasoning:

• The argument above relies on which of the following assumptions?
• Which of the following would most contribute to explain or strengthen the argument above?
• Which of the following would most weaken or refute the above claim?
• The statement above best supports which of the following conclusions?
• Which of the following courses of action would be most effective in solving the above problem?

Solution Method

Since logical reasoning questions rely heavily on logic, sometimes you’ll find that the answer is quite obvious. Other times, you might be confused and unable to find the best answer. In these cases, here our some steps that might help you identify the right solution:

• In your head, sort out the following parts of an argument: Facts, Claims, any Assumptions that are unstated by are necessary for the claim to follow from the facts presented, and Weaknesses or faults in the claim, and any obvious conclusions that can be drawn from the claim.
• Pay very close attention to the claim of the argument. This is often the central and most important part. It might appear anywhere in the passage, so be careful not to mix the basic claims with the factual acts.
• Read the question carefully. Try to understand exactly what the question is asking you. Are you looking for a flaw in the argument, or a way to strengthen it, or maybe an underlying assumption?
• Read all the answers. Try to identify ‘directions’, or whether the answers support or refute the claim. It’s often possible to draw parallels between the answers and the facts presented in the text, these can help you find the right answer.
• Trust your instinct. Try to eliminate as many choices as possible if you’re unsure of the ultimate answer. Above all, use logical thinking to answer the question asked.

Some Examples

Families with 2-3 children are more likely to own a cat than are members of any other demographic group. The popular belief that single, old ladies are more likely to be feeding cats than a family, must therefore be false.

There is a problem in the argument because…

1. (A) The author does not supply any information about demographic groups other than families with 2-3 children.
2. (B)The author depends on a popular belief rather than documented research.
3. (C) The author does not specify the precise types and ages of cats involved.
4. (D) The author fails to point the difference between owning cats and feeding possibly stray cats.
5. (E) The author might be working for a cat-food factory.

Choice D is correct- there is a big difference between owning a cat, and feeding cats. Old ladies might be feeding stray cats more than families do, which supports the popular belief despite the given facts. Choice A is wrong because other demographic groups would not affect the claim at all. Option B is wrong because the popular belief idea is necessary for the claim, and the first portion of the text might be based on research. Option C is wrong because the types and ages of cats is completely irrelevant. Option E might produce some bias, but otherwise it doesn’t not really point out any flaws.

Last year, inflation in Canada stood at 2%, but this year inflation is just 0.7%. However, this downwards trend might stop, and inflation might go back up next year.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the conclusion?

1. (A) Inflation figures are calculated using a sample of economic data, and not all the available data.
2. (B) Low inflation figures generally last for periods of at least 3 years.
3. (C) Government intervention cannot affect the rate of inflation to any significant degree.
4. (D) The 0.7% figure represents a 15-year low in Canada.
5. (E) The economic crisis, which lowered inflation figures this year, is expected to be over before next year starts.

Choice A is wrong, because as long as a sample is representative, the value of inflation should be accurate. Choice B is wrong because first, we don’t have values that stretch back 3 years, and even if true, this would keep the inflation value down, not bring it back up. Option C is wrong because if government intervention cannot affect the inflation, you would expect it to stay the same. Choice D is also wrong, because even though you might argue that a 15-year low might be expected to be a one-time occurance, so the figures are likely to rise again, this isn’t refuting a downward trend which might lead to even lower figures. Finally, answer E is the correct one- it suggests that an economic crisis kept values down this year specifically, but since the crisis will be over by next year, inflation will likely go back up.

Sample Critical Reasoning Questions

Practice makes perfect!

GMAT Critical Reasoning Practice (6 questions), GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions (5 questions), GMAT Critical Reasoning (5 questions) GMAT Logical Reasoning (8 questions)

Other GMAT Verbal Questions

The GMAT Verbal section also includes Sentence Correction and Reading Comprehension Questions.