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Published by
PowerScore Publishing, a division of PowerScore Incorporated
57 Hasell Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Author: David M. Killoran
Manufactured in Canada
02 06 20 17
ISBN: 978-0-9846583-9-8
3
Contents
Chapter One: Introduction
Introduction
A Brief Overview of the GMAT
The Analytical Writing Assessment
The Integrated Reasoning Section
The Quantitative Section
The Verbal Section
Experimental Questions
The GMAT CAT Format
Special GMAT CAT Considerations
Computers and Noteboards
The GMAT Scoring Scale
The GMAT Percentile Table
The Use of the GMAT
Chapter Two: The Basics of Critical
Reasoning
GMAT Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning Question Directions
The Parts of a Critical Reasoning Question
Approaching the Questions
Analyzing the Stimulus
The Range of Stimulus Topics
GMAT Vocabulary
Arguments versus Fact Sets
Identifying Premises and Conclusions
One Confusing Indicator Form
Premise and Conclusion Recognition Mini-Drill
4
Premise and Conclusion Recognition Mini-Drill Answer Key
Additional Premise Indicators
Counter-Premise Indicators
Additional Premise and Counter-Premise Recognition Mini-Drill
Additional Premise and Counter-Premise Recognition Mini-Drill Answer Key
Recognizing Conclusions Without Indicators
Complex Arguments
A Commonly Used Construction
Truth versus Validity
Argument Analysis
Inferences and Assumptions
The Mind of a GMAT Author
Read the Fine Print
Tracking Indicators and Concepts
Scope
Fluidity of Analysis and Concept Application
Final Chapter Note
Premise and Conclusion Analysis Drill
Premise and Conclusion Analysis Drill Answer Key
Chapter Three: The Question Stem and
Answer Choices
The Question Stem
Analyzing the Question Stem
The Ten Critical Reasoning Question Types
Question Type Notes
Question Type Variety
“Most” in Question Stems
Question Stem Wording Variations
Identify the Question Stem Drill
Identify the Question Stem Drill Answer Key
“Except” and “Least” in Question Stems
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Except and Least Identify the Question Stem Mini-Drill
Except and Least Identify The Question Stem Mini-Drill Answer Key
Prephrasing Answers
The Answer Choices
Question Approach Review
Final Chapter Note
Chapter Four: Must Be True Questions
Must Be True Questions
Prephrasing with Must Be True Questions
Returning to the Stimulus
New Information and the Idea Umbrella
Primary Objective #4 and Modifier Words Revisited
Language: Negatives and Double Negatives
Correct Answers in Must Be True Questions Reviewed
Incorrect Answers in Must Be True Questions
Stimulus Opinions versus Assertions
Conditional Reasoning
Three Logical Features of Conditional Reasoning
Valid and Invalid Statements
Valid and Invalid Statement Recognition Mini-Drill
Valid and Invalid Statement Recognition Mini-Drill Answer Key
The Multiplicity of Indicator Words
How to Recognize Conditionality
Sufficient and Necessary Diagramming Drill
Sufficient and Necessary Diagramming Drill Answer Key
Final Note
Must Be True Question Type Review
Must Be True Question Problem Set
Must Be True Problem Set Answer Key
Chapter Five: Main Point Questions
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Main Point Questions
Two Incorrect Answer Types
Fill in the Blank Questions
Main Point—Fill in the Blank Questions
Final Chapter Note
Main Point Question Type Review
Fill in the Blank Question Type Review
Must Be True and Main Point Question Stem Mini-Drill
Must Be True and Main Point Question Stem Mini-Drill Answer Key
Main Point Question Problem Set
Main Point Problem Set Answer Key
Chapter Six: Weaken Questions
Weaken Questions
How to Weaken an Argument
Common Weakening Scenarios
Three Incorrect Answer Traps
Weaken Questions Analyzed
Final Note
Weaken Question Type Review
Weaken Question Problem Set
Weaken Question Problem Set Answer Key
Chapter Seven: Cause and Effect
Reasoning
What is Causality?
How to Recognize Causality
Causality in the Conclusion versus Causality in the Premises
Situations That Can Lead to Errors of Causality
The Central Assumption of Causal Conclusions
How to Attack a Causal Conclusion
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Diagramming Causality
Two Cause and Effect Problems Analyzed
Causal Reasoning Review
Final Note
Causal Reasoning Problem Set
Causal Reasoning Problem Set Answer Key
Chapter Eight: Strengthen and
Assumption Questions
The Second Family
The Difference Between Strengthen and Assumption Questions
Strengthen Questions
How to Strengthen an Argument
Three Incorrect Answer Traps
Strengthen Questions Analyzed
Causality and Strengthen Questions
Weaken vs Strengthen Questions
Strengthen Question Type Review
Strengthen Question Problem Set
Strengthen Problem Set Answer Key
Assumption Questions
The Supporter/Defender Assumption ModelTM
The Assumption Negation TechniqueTM
Negating Statements
Logical Opposition
Statement Negation Drill
Statement Negation Drill Answer Key
Three Quirks of Assumption Question Answer Choices
Assumptions and Causality
Assumption—Fill in the Blank Questions
Weaken—Fill in the Blank Questions
Assumption Question Type Review
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Assumption Question Problem Set
Assumption Problem Set Answer Key
Chapter Nine: Resolve the Paradox
Questions
Resolve the Paradox Questions
Stimulus Peculiarities
Question Stem Features
Active Resolution
Address the Facts
Oppositional Circumstances and Cause
Resolve the Paradox Question Review
Resolve the Paradox Question Problem Set
Resolve the Paradox Problem Set Answer Key
Chapter Ten: Method of Reasoning and
Flaw in the Reasoning Questions
Method of Reasoning Questions
Flaw in the Reasoning Questions
Prephrasing in Method and Flaw Questions
The Fact Test in Method and Flaw Questions
Stimulus Notes
Incorrect Answers in Method and Flaw Questions
The Value of Knowing Common Errors of Reasoning
Common Errors of Reasoning Explained
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Source Argument
Circular Reasoning
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
Mistaken Cause and Effect
Straw Man
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Appeal Fallacies
Survey Errors
Errors of Composition and Division
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept
False Analogy
False Dilemma
Time Shift Errors
Numbers and Percentages Errors
Idea Application: Correct and Incorrect Answers Analyzed
Method of Reasoning—Bolded Argument Part Questions
Method—AP Stimulus Structure
A Common Wrong Answer
Final Note
Method of Reasoning and Flaw in the Reasoning Question Type Review
Identify the Flaw in the Argument Drill
Identify the Flaw in the Argument Drill Answer Key
Method of Reasoning and Flaw in the Reasoning Problem Set
Method of Reasoning and Flaw in the Reasoning Problems Answer Key
Chapter Eleven: Parallel Reasoning
Questions
Parallel Reasoning Questions
Parallel Flaw Questions
The Peril of Abstraction
Solving Parallel Reasoning Questions
What To Do If All Else Fails
Parallel Reasoning Question Review
Parallel Reasoning Question Problem Set
Parallel Reasoning Question Problem Set Answer Key
Chapter Twelve: Numbers and
10
