GMAT Critical Reasoning Notes

Chapter 2: The Basics

o When the premise and conclusion are not easily
identifiable, substitute dummy words to decide
which one makes sense
o An assumption is an unstated premise. The
inference is a conclusion (a statement that must be
true).
o Read the fine print
Recognize the difference in quantity (all vs.
most) and probability (must vs. always)
indicators
o Consider what is in and out of scope of what is
being asked
Chapter 3: Question Stems and Answers
o There are 10 question types:
i. Must Be True
1. Must be true, inferred, most strongly
supported
ii. Main Point
1. Main point, Conclusion of the
paragraph
iii. Assumption
1. Unstated premise
iv. Strengthen
1. Strengths, supports
v. Resolve the Paradox
vi. Weaken
1. Weaken, Cast doubt
vii. Method of Reasoning
1. Describes the technique of reasoning
viii. Flaw in the Reasoning
ix. Parallel Reasoning
1. Most similar in its pattern of reasoning
x. Evaluate the Argument
o Answers fall into three different categories:

 Prove: Must be True, Main Point, Method

of Reasoning, Flaw, Parallel Reasoning
Help: Assumption, Strengthen, Resolve
Which of the following if true
Hurt: Weaken
o Use of except if the question, all of the following
weaken except, the answer doesnt have to
strengthen, it could have no effect
Use the word least the same as except
o Prephrase the expected answer in your head
o Read all of the answer choices and separate them
into contenders and losers
o When the author doesnt present his own opinion,
you can eliminate answer choices that try to
present his opinion
Chapter 4: Must Be True
o When reading a question, draw attention to the
modifier words such as some, could, and many
o Many can be used as all
o Correct answer choices: choices that paraphrase the
stimulus or combine two or more statements
o Incorrect answer choices: could be true, brings in
new information
Chapter 5: Main point questions
o conclusion, main point
o Incorrect answer choices: true statements but do
not encapsulate the authors point; repeat premises
o Isolate the conclusion in the passage and then look
for an answer that paraphrases this
If struggling with finding the conclusion,
substitute conclusion indicator words
Chapter 6: Weaken the conclusion answers
o Best way to answer these questions is to attack the
conclusion and prephrase the answer in your head
o Common scenarios:

 Author fails to consider all of the possibilities

Improper comparison
Qualified conclusion (limits the conclusion to
leave the argument open to attack)
o Weaken incorrect answers:
Opposite answers
Shell game answers: answer choice attacks a
conclusion that is slightly different
Out of scope
Chapter 7: Cause and Effect Reasoning
o There are many synonyms to identify this type of
question, but it is easy if one event made another
happen
Chapter 8: Strengthen and Assumption
Chapter 9: Resolve the Paradox
o The answer choice must conform to the facts