Introduction to GMAT Critical Reasoning (with Practice Questions)

The Universal 3-Step Method for All CR Questions

The secret to acing Critical Reasoning is to have a consistent, methodical approach. Instead of treating each question as a new puzzle, apply the same three-step process every time. This turns a test of logic into a repeatable skill.

1. Deconstruct the Argument: Your first step is to break the stimulus down into its core components. Identify the Conclusion (the main point the author is trying to prove) and the Premise(s) (the evidence the author provides to support that conclusion). The unstated link between the premise and the conclusion is the Assumption.
2. State the Goal (Pre-phrase): Before you even look at the answer choices, you must understand your goal. Based on the question type (e.g., 'weaken the argument'), predict what the correct answer should do. For a weaken question, you'd think, 'I need to find a statement that makes the conclusion less likely to be true.' This is called pre-phrasing, and it's your best defense against tempting trap answers.
3. Work from Wrong to Right (Eliminate): Now, go through the answer choices with a single mission: to find four wrong answers. The GMAT is an expert at writing attractive but flawed choices. By actively looking for reasons to eliminate answers, you'll be less likely to fall for them. The last one standing is your answer.

A Deep Dive into Key Question Types

Weaken/Strengthen

These are the most common CR question types. For a Weaken question, you're looking for a new piece of information that attacks the argument's central assumption, making the conclusion less likely. For a Strengthen question, you're looking for information that confirms the assumption, making the conclusion more likely.

Find the Assumption

Assumption questions ask you to identify a statement that the argument must believe to be true for the logic to work. The most powerful tool for this is the Assumption Negation Technique. To test an answer choice, negate it (e.g., turn 'all' into 'not all'). If the negated statement destroys the argument, you've found the correct assumption.

Explain the Paradox

These questions present two seemingly contradictory facts. Your job is to find the answer choice that explains how both facts can be true simultaneously. The wrong answers will often worsen the paradox or explain only one side of it.

Boldface Reasoning

Boldface questions require you to identify the role that one or two bolded statements play in the overall argument. Is it a premise? An intermediate conclusion? The main conclusion? The strategy is to first categorize each bold statement (e.g., 'fact' vs. 'opinion') and then determine their relationship to each other and to the argument as a whole.

How to Spot and Avoid Common CR Traps

• Out of Scope: This is the most common trap. The answer choice might be a true statement, but it's not relevant to the specific scope of the argument. Always ask yourself, 'Does this actually impact the conclusion?'
• The Opposite: The GMAT loves to include an answer that does the exact opposite of what you're looking for (e.g., a strengthener in a weaken question). This is designed to catch test-takers who are rushing.
• Correlation vs. Causation: Just because two things happen at the same time (correlation) does not mean one caused the other (causation). Be wary of arguments that make this logical leap without providing evidence.
• Too Extreme or Too Weak: Watch out for strong words like 'all,' 'never,' or 'always.' Correct answers in CR often use more moderate language like 'some,' 'often,' or 'likely.' Conversely, a choice that is too weak might not be strong enough to have the required impact.