GMAT Verbal

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

Advanced Topics

Critical Reasoning: Flaw Detection

Spotting Logical Flaws

Advanced Critical Reasoning questions require you to identify flaws in arguments, such as faulty assumptions, causal errors, or reasoning gaps.

Common Flaw Types

  • Causation vs. Correlation: Assuming that because two things occur together, one causes the other.
  • False Dilemma: Presenting only two options when more exist.
  • Circular Reasoning: The conclusion repeats the premise.

Techniques

  • Break down the argument into parts.
  • Look for extreme language or unwarranted leaps in logic.
  • Ask yourself: "Does this really follow?"

Real-World Use

Spotting logical flaws helps in negotiations, policy analysis, and decision-making, where critical thinking is essential.

Examples

  • Assuming that ice cream sales cause sunburn, when both may be caused by hot weather.

  • Arguing that we must either increase marketing or lose customers, ignoring other options.

In a Nutshell

Identifying argument flaws is key to advanced critical analysis.