Critical Reasoning Questions
Critical Reasoning questions are designed to test the reasoning
skills involved in making arguments, evaluating arguments, and formulating
or evaluating a plan of action. Questions are based on materials
from a variety of sources. No familiarity with the specific subject
matter is needed.
What Is Measured
This section measures your ability to reason effectively in three
areas:
• Argument construction: Questions of this type may ask you
to recognize the basic structure of an argument, properly drawn
conclusions, underlying assumptions, well-supported explanatory
hypotheses, or parallels between structurally similar arguments.
• Argument evaluation: Questions of this type may ask you
to analyze a given argument, recognize factors that would strengthen
or weaken an argument, reasoning errors committed in making an argument,
or aspects of the methods by which an argument proceeds.
• Formulating and evaluating a plan of action: Questions
of this type may ask you to recognize the relative appropriateness,
effectiveness, or efficiency of different plans of action; factors
that would strengthen or weaken a proposed plan of action; or assumptions
underlying a proposed plan of action.
Sample Question
For an example of this type of question and directions for answering,
click
Sample Critical Reasoning Question.
Sentence Correction Questions
Sentence Correction questions ask you which of the five choices
best expresses an idea or relationship. The questions will require
you to be familiar with the stylistic conventions and grammatical
rules of standard written English. You must also demonstrate your
ability to improve incorrect or ineffective expressions.
What Is Measured
This section tests two broad aspects of language proficiency:
• Correct expression: A correct sentence is grammatically
and structurally sound. It conforms to all the rules of standard
written English, e.g., noun-verb agreement, pronoun consistency,
pronoun case, and verb tense sequence. A correct sentence will not
have dangling, misplaced, or improperly formed modifiers, unidiomatic
or inconsistent expressions, or faults in parallel construction.
• Effective expression: An effective sentence expresses an
idea or relationship clearly and concisely, as well as grammatically.
This does not mean that the choice with the fewest and simplest
words is necessarily the best answer. It means that there are no
superfluous words or needlessly complicated expressions in the best
choice. In addition, an effective sentence uses proper diction-the
standard dictionary meanings of words and the appropriateness of
words in context. In evaluating the diction of a sentence, you must
be able to recognize whether the words are well chosen, accurate,
and suitable for the context.
Quantitative Section
The Quantitative section of the Graduate Management
Admission Test® (GMAT®) measures the ability to reason quantitatively,
solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data. Two types
of multiple-choice questions are used in the Quantitative section
of the GMAT® exam-Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency.
Problem-Solving and Data-Sufficiency questions are intermingled
throughout the section. Both types of questions require knowledge
of:
• arithmetic,
• elementary algebra, and
• commonly known concepts of geometry.
Problem-Solving Questions
Problem-Solving questions are designed to test:
• basic mathematical skills,
• understanding of elementary mathematical concepts, and
• the ability to reason quantitatively and solve quantitative problems.
For an example of this type of question and directions for answering,
go to
Sample Problem-Solving Question.
Data-Sufficiency Questions
Data-Sufficiency questions are designed to measure your ability
to:
• analyze a quantitative problem,
• recognize which information is relevant, and
• determine at what point there is sufficient information to solve
a problem.
Data-Sufficiency questions are accompanied by some initial information
and two statements, labeled (1) and (2). You must decide whether
the statements given offer enough data to enable you to answer the
question. You must choose one of the following answers:
• Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) is not sufficient.
• Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) is not sufficient.
• BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement
ALONE is sufficient.
• EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.
• Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.
Analytical Writing Assessment Section
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) of the Graduate
Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) is designed as a direct measure
of your ability to think critically and to communicate your ideas.
The AWA consists of two 30-minute writing tasks - Analysis of an Issue
and Analysis of an Argument.
The issues and arguments presented on the test concern topics of
general interest related to business or a variety of other subjects.
A specific knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary; only your
capacity to write analytically is assessed.
Analysis of an Issue
For the Analysis of an Issue section, you will need to analyze the
issue presented and explain your point of view on the subject. There
is no correct answer. Instead, you should consider various perspectives.
Use relevant reasons or examples drawn from your experience, observations,
or reading to develop your own position on the issue.
What Is Measured
The Analysis of an Issue tests your ability to explore the complexities
of an issue or opinion and, if appropriate, to take a position that
is informed by your understanding.
Sample Question
For an example of this type of question and directions for answering,
go to the Sample Analysis of an Issue Question.
Analysis of an Argument
For the Analysis of an Argument section, you will need to analyze
the reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of that
argument. You are not being asked to present your own views on the
subject.
Consider the following when developing your essay:
• What questionable assumptions underlie the thinking behind the
argument?
• What alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken
the conclusion?
• What sort of evidence could help strengthen or refute the argument?
What Is Measured
The Analysis of an Argument section tests your ability to formulate
an appropriate and constructive critique of a specific conclusion
based on a specific line of thinking. |
Share this Page 
