What is the flaw of mistaking a Necessary Condition for a Sufficient Condition?

Concluding that because an essential requirement has been fulfilled, the desired outcome is guaranteed to happen.

What is the Sunk Cost fallacy in economic reasoning?

Arguing that a project or investment should be continued simply because substantial non-recoverable funds have already been spent, rather than evaluating future marginal costs and returns.

What is the classic Correlation vs. Causation flaw?

Assuming that because event X and event Y occur together or vary together, X caused Y. This overlooks: (1) Reverse causation (Y caused X); (2) Third confounding factor Z causing both; (3) Coincidence.

What is an Ad Hominem flaw in logical analysis?

Attacking the background, personality, character, or perceived financial motives of the person making the claim rather than evaluating the empirical merits of their argument.

What is the False Dichotomy (Black-and-White) flaw?

Assuming that only two mutually exclusive alternatives exist (e.g., 'we must either cut wages or declare bankruptcy') when middle-ground or alternative options are available.

What is Survivorship Bias in business case studies?

Formulating business strategies by examining only surviving, successful enterprises while ignoring all failed companies that employed the exact same tactics.

What is the Net vs. Gross confusion in CR word problems?

Equating an increase in gross sales with an increase in net income, ignoring that operating expenses, taxes, or cost of goods sold may have grown faster.

What is the Straw Man fallacy in argumentative reasoning?

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument by exaggerating, oversimplifying, or distorting it into an extreme position that is much easier to refute.

What is the Self-Selection Bias flaw in surveys?

Relying on voluntary responses (e.g., online customer reviews), which attracts people with extreme positive or negative experiences while excluding moderate opinions.

What indicator words typically signal a conclusion in GMAT CR?

Therefore, thus, hence, consequently, so, as a result, it follows that, suggests that, clearly, indicates that.

What is Circular Reasoning (Begging the Question)?

An argument whose conclusion merely restates or presupposes the truth of one of its premises, offering no independent factual support.

What is the Equivocation flaw?

Shifting the meaning of a key term or phrase between the premises and the conclusion, exploiting semantic ambiguity to create an invalid deduction.

What indicator words typically signal a premise in GMAT CR?

Because, since, for, given that, in light of, after all, on the grounds that, as indicated by.

What is the flaw of mistaking a Sufficient Condition for a Necessary Condition?

Concluding that because a particular triggering event did not happen, the resulting outcome cannot possibly occur through any other means.

What is the Relative vs. Absolute performance flaw?

Inferring absolute success from relative superiority. For example, a mutual fund that loses 5% during a 20% market crash outperformed its benchmark relatively, but still lost money in absolute terms.

What are the core structural components of a GMAT Critical Reasoning argument?

1. Premises: Factual statements, evidence, or data taken as true. 2. Conclusion: The main claim or hypothesis the author attempts to prove. 3. Assumptions: Unstated bridge premises required to connect premises to conclusion.

What is the Unrepresentative / Biased Sample flaw?

Drawing a generalized conclusion about an entire population based on a sample that is non-random, self-selected, or atypical of the target group.

What is the Failure to Consider Alternative Explanations flaw?

Observing an outcome and declaring one specific factor as the sole explanation while ignoring other equally or more plausible causes.

What is the Temporal Flaw in Critical Reasoning?

Assuming that economic, technological, or social conditions that held true in the past will automatically continue unchanged into the future.

What is the False Analogy fallacy?

Comparing two situations or industries that share superficial similarities while ignoring fundamental, structural differences that invalidate the comparison.

What is the GMAT CR strategy of 'Pre-thinking'?

Before reading the five answer choices, formulate in your mind the precise logical gap or missing assumption. This prevents being seduced by trap answers.

What is the Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc logical flaw?

Assuming that because event B occurred AFTER event A, event A must have caused event B. Temporal sequence alone does not establish a causal mechanism.

What is a Scope Shift (Concept Jump) flaw in CR arguments?

When the premise discusses one specific topic or metric (e.g., product quality or revenue), but the conclusion leaps to an unmentioned metric (e.g., customer satisfaction or net profits).

What is the 'Absence of Evidence as Evidence of Absence' flaw?

Concluding that a phenomenon does not exist or that a claim is false simply because current scientific tools have not yet proven its existence.

What is the Appeal to Inappropriate Authority fallacy?

Defending a claim by citing an authority or celebrity whose expertise is in an entirely unrelated domain or who has an undisclosed conflict of interest.

What are the Fallacies of Composition and Division?

• Composition (part-to-whole): Inferring without justification that because the parts have a property, the whole must also have that property. • Division (whole-to-part): Inferring without justification that because a whole has a property, each individual part must have it.

What is the 'Opposite Direction' trap in Weaken questions?

Selecting an answer that actually strengthens the argument. Under time pressure, test-takers often spot a strong, relevant relationship and overlook that it moves in the wrong direction.

What is the Percent vs. Absolute Number flaw?

Confusing a change in percentage rate with a change in absolute total amount. A rising percentage of a shrinking base can equal fewer absolute units, and vice versa.

What makes an answer choice 'Out of Scope' in Critical Reasoning?

It introduces outside real-world information that is factually true but has zero bearing on the logical link between the specific premises and conclusion in the prompt.

What is an Intermediate Conclusion (Sub-conclusion) in CR?

A claim that acts as both a conclusion (supported by primary premises) and a premise (providing direct logical support to the final main conclusion).

What is the 'Equating Lack of Certainty with Impossibility' flaw?

Arguing that because an opponent cannot prove their prediction with 100% certainty, their proposed scenario is impossible.

What is the difference between an Argument's Premise and an Argument's Background Information?

Background provides context, definitions, or historical framing without taking a stance; premises provide specific empirical evidence that directly supports the conclusion.

GMAT Focus Verbal Reasoning: Critical Reasoning Structure & Logical Flaws

32 GMAT Focus Critical Reasoning review cards on argument structure (premises, intermediate and main conclusions, unstated assumptions), causal and statistical flaws, conditional errors, and question-solving strategies.

Level: intermediate
Languages: en → en
Cards: 32
Markdown: GMAT Focus Verbal Reasoning: Critical Reasoning Structure & Logical Flaws (.md)

Flashcards (32)

#	Front (Term / Question)	Back (Definition / Answer)
1	What is the flaw of mistaking a Necessary Condition for a Sufficient Condition?	Concluding that because an essential requirement has been fulfilled, the desired outcome is guaranteed to happen.
2	What is the Sunk Cost fallacy in economic reasoning?	Arguing that a project or investment should be continued simply because substantial non-recoverable funds have already been spent, rather than evaluating future marginal costs and returns.
3	What is the classic Correlation vs. Causation flaw?	Assuming that because event X and event Y occur together or vary together, X caused Y. This overlooks: (1) Reverse causation (Y caused X); (2) Third confounding factor Z causing both; (3) Coincidence.
4	What is an Ad Hominem flaw in logical analysis?	Attacking the background, personality, character, or perceived financial motives of the person making the claim rather than evaluating the empirical merits of their argument.
5	What is the False Dichotomy (Black-and-White) flaw?	Assuming that only two mutually exclusive alternatives exist (e.g., 'we must either cut wages or declare bankruptcy') when middle-ground or alternative options are available.
6	What is Survivorship Bias in business case studies?	Formulating business strategies by examining only surviving, successful enterprises while ignoring all failed companies that employed the exact same tactics.
7	What is the Net vs. Gross confusion in CR word problems?	Equating an increase in gross sales with an increase in net income, ignoring that operating expenses, taxes, or cost of goods sold may have grown faster.
8	What is the Straw Man fallacy in argumentative reasoning?	Misrepresenting an opponent's argument by exaggerating, oversimplifying, or distorting it into an extreme position that is much easier to refute.
9	What is the Self-Selection Bias flaw in surveys?	Relying on voluntary responses (e.g., online customer reviews), which attracts people with extreme positive or negative experiences while excluding moderate opinions.
10	What indicator words typically signal a conclusion in GMAT CR?	Therefore, thus, hence, consequently, so, as a result, it follows that, suggests that, clearly, indicates that.
11	What is Circular Reasoning (Begging the Question)?	An argument whose conclusion merely restates or presupposes the truth of one of its premises, offering no independent factual support.
12	What is the Equivocation flaw?	Shifting the meaning of a key term or phrase between the premises and the conclusion, exploiting semantic ambiguity to create an invalid deduction.
13	What indicator words typically signal a premise in GMAT CR?	Because, since, for, given that, in light of, after all, on the grounds that, as indicated by.
14	What is the flaw of mistaking a Sufficient Condition for a Necessary Condition?	Concluding that because a particular triggering event did not happen, the resulting outcome cannot possibly occur through any other means.
15	What is the Relative vs. Absolute performance flaw?	Inferring absolute success from relative superiority. For example, a mutual fund that loses 5% during a 20% market crash outperformed its benchmark relatively, but still lost money in absolute terms.
16	What are the core structural components of a GMAT Critical Reasoning argument?	1. Premises: Factual statements, evidence, or data taken as true. 2. Conclusion: The main claim or hypothesis the author attempts to prove. 3. Assumptions: Unstated bridge premises required to connect premises to conclusion.
17	What is the Unrepresentative / Biased Sample flaw?	Drawing a generalized conclusion about an entire population based on a sample that is non-random, self-selected, or atypical of the target group.
18	What is the Failure to Consider Alternative Explanations flaw?	Observing an outcome and declaring one specific factor as the sole explanation while ignoring other equally or more plausible causes.
19	What is the Temporal Flaw in Critical Reasoning?	Assuming that economic, technological, or social conditions that held true in the past will automatically continue unchanged into the future.
20	What is the False Analogy fallacy?	Comparing two situations or industries that share superficial similarities while ignoring fundamental, structural differences that invalidate the comparison.
21	What is the GMAT CR strategy of 'Pre-thinking'?	Before reading the five answer choices, formulate in your mind the precise logical gap or missing assumption. This prevents being seduced by trap answers.
22	What is the Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc logical flaw?	Assuming that because event B occurred AFTER event A, event A must have caused event B. Temporal sequence alone does not establish a causal mechanism.
23	What is a Scope Shift (Concept Jump) flaw in CR arguments?	When the premise discusses one specific topic or metric (e.g., product quality or revenue), but the conclusion leaps to an unmentioned metric (e.g., customer satisfaction or net profits).
24	What is the 'Absence of Evidence as Evidence of Absence' flaw?	Concluding that a phenomenon does not exist or that a claim is false simply because current scientific tools have not yet proven its existence.
25	What is the Appeal to Inappropriate Authority fallacy?	Defending a claim by citing an authority or celebrity whose expertise is in an entirely unrelated domain or who has an undisclosed conflict of interest.
26	What are the Fallacies of Composition and Division?	• Composition (part-to-whole): Inferring without justification that because the parts have a property, the whole must also have that property. • Division (whole-to-part): Inferring without justification that because a whole has a property, each individual part must have it.
27	What is the 'Opposite Direction' trap in Weaken questions?	Selecting an answer that actually strengthens the argument. Under time pressure, test-takers often spot a strong, relevant relationship and overlook that it moves in the wrong direction.
28	What is the Percent vs. Absolute Number flaw?	Confusing a change in percentage rate with a change in absolute total amount. A rising percentage of a shrinking base can equal fewer absolute units, and vice versa.
29	What makes an answer choice 'Out of Scope' in Critical Reasoning?	It introduces outside real-world information that is factually true but has zero bearing on the logical link between the specific premises and conclusion in the prompt.
30	What is an Intermediate Conclusion (Sub-conclusion) in CR?	A claim that acts as both a conclusion (supported by primary premises) and a premise (providing direct logical support to the final main conclusion).
31	What is the 'Equating Lack of Certainty with Impossibility' flaw?	Arguing that because an opponent cannot prove their prediction with 100% certainty, their proposed scenario is impossible.
32	What is the difference between an Argument's Premise and an Argument's Background Information?	Background provides context, definitions, or historical framing without taking a stance; premises provide specific empirical evidence that directly supports the conclusion.