GMAT Verbal

A comprehensive guide to mastering the GMAT Verbal section, covering concepts, strategies, and real-world applications.

Basic Concepts

Critical Reasoning Basics

Understanding Critical Reasoning

Critical Reasoning questions ask you to analyze arguments and determine whether certain statements strengthen, weaken, or support conclusions.

Types of Arguments

  • Assumption: An unstated idea that must be true.
  • Conclusion: The main point the author is trying to prove.
  • Evidence: Facts or statements used to back up the conclusion.

How to Approach

  1. Identify the conclusion and evidence.
  2. Look for assumptions.
  3. Read each answer choice carefully to see how it affects the argument.

Real-World Application

Critical reasoning helps you evaluate advertisements, business proposals, and everyday arguments with a critical eye.

Examples

  • The argument concludes that reducing prices will increase sales, but assumes demand is price-sensitive.

  • A statement that a new competitor has entered the market might weaken a company's sales forecast.

In a Nutshell

Critical Reasoning tests your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments.