Expectation

Critical Reasoning: Expected Skills & Question Types

This ections fundamentally test your ability to dissect, analyze, evaluate arguments presented in short passages. They assess your informal logic skills without requiring specialized knowledge. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what to expect:

1. Core Skills Tested:

  • Argument Structure Recognition: Identifying the core components of an argument – the main conclusion (the author's primary claim), the premises (Facts which supports conclusion), and background information.

  • Assumption Identification: Recognizing the unstated premises or beliefs that are necessary for the argument's conclusion to logically follow from its stated premises. This is a crucial skill.

  • Strengthening/Weakening Arguments: Evaluating how new information, if true, would make the argument's conclusion more or less likely to be valid.

  • Flaw Detection: Identifying logical errors, gaps, or vulnerabilities in the reasoning presented (e.g., correlation vs. causation, hasty generalizations, sampling errors, false dichotomies, ad hominem attacks).

  • Drawing Valid Inferences: Determining what must be true or is most strongly supported based only on the information provided in the stimulus text. Avoid making outside assumptions.

  • Understanding Method of Reasoning: Describing how an argument is constructed (e.g., using analogy, cause-and-effect reasoning, eliminating alternatives,) or identifying the specific role a particular statement plays within the argument.

  • Resolving Paradoxes/Discrepancies: Finding an explanation that reconciles seemingly contradictory pieces of information presented in the stimulus.

  • Applying Principles / Parallel Reasoning: Identifying the underlying logical principle or structure of an argument and applying it to a different scenario, or finding another argument with the same logical structure.

  • Evaluating Arguments: Determine missing info to assess argument,Clarify assumptions or gaps. Identify critical test or information neededClarify assumptions or gaps. Identify critical test or information needed.

2. Key Question Types (Reflecting the Skills Above):

You will encounter questions designed to test these skills directly. Common phrasings include:

  • Identify the Conclusion: "The main point of the argument is..."

  • Identify the Assumption: "The argument depends on assuming which of the following?"

  • Strengthen the Argument: "Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the reasoning?"

  • Weaken the Argument: "Which of the following, if true, most undermines the conclusion?"

  • Draw an Inference: "If the statements above are true, which of the following must also be true?" or "Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage?"

  • Identify the Flaw: "The reasoning in the argument is flawed because it..."

  • Method of Reasoning / Role: "The author supports the conclusion by..." or "The statement '...' plays which of the following roles in the argument?"

  • Resolve the Paradox: "Which of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?"

  • Parallel Reasoning: "Which of the following arguments is most similar in its pattern of reasoning to the argument above?" (More frequent/complex on LSAT)

  • Evaluate the Argument/Plan: "Which of the following would be most useful to know in evaluating the plan's chances of success?"

3. Common Format:

  • Stimulus: A short passage (typically 50-150 words) presenting an argument, a set of facts, a dialogue, or a scenario.

  • Question Stem: A specific question targeting one of the skills/types listed above.

  • Answer Choices: Usually five multiple-choice options, with only one being the correct or "best" answer according to logical standards.

4. Strategic Approach & Mindset:

  • Read Actively and Precisely: Focus intensely on understanding the stimulus. Identify the conclusion, premises, and any potential gaps before reading the answer choices.

  • Understand the Task: Know exactly what the question stem is asking you to do (weaken, strengthen, find assumption, etc.).

  • Pre-Phrase (Optional but helpful): Try to formulate an idea of what the correct answer might look like based on your analysis of the stimulus and question.

  • Evaluate Every Answer Choice: Read each option critically. Compare it against the stimulus and the question's requirements.

  • Eliminate Incorrect Answers: It's often easier to identify why four choices are wrong than why one is right. Look for answers that are out of scope, contradict the passage, reverse the logic, or address the wrong issue.

  • Stay Within the Scope: Base your answer only on the information given in the stimulus. Do not bring in outside knowledge or assumptions.

  • Watch for Qualifier Words: Pay close attention to words like "some," "most," "all," "never," "always," "likely," "must," "could" – they significantly affect the logic.

  • Manage Time: Practice answering questions efficiently, typically allocating around 1.5 minutes per question.

In essence, success hinges on careful reading, disciplined logical thinking, understanding argument structure, and systematically evaluating answer choices based solely on the provided text and the question asked. Extensive practice with official materials is key to recognizing patterns and mastering the required skills.