GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions
GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions
the real
questions.
Each GMAT sample critical reasoning question is a simplified version of a real critical reasoning question. Remember, we
have used simple language in these questions so that you can focus on the logic of the questions rather than on the vocab
and complex sentence structures. However, on the real test, the language and vocab will be much harder.
A nice added benefit to preparing yourself for GMAT critical reasoning questions is that this preparation will also help you in
your business school studies. Many of the same techniques used to answer these test questions will come in handy when
you are asked to do case analyses. (This should be an extra incentive for those of you intent on pursuing consulting
careers.)
1. In Los Angeles, a political candidate who buys saturation radio advertising will get maximum name recognition.
A. Radio advertising is the most important factor in political campaigns in Los Angeles.
B. Maximum name recognition in Los Angeles will help a candidate to win a higher percentage of votes
cast in the city.
C. Saturation radio advertising reaches every demographically distinct sector of the voting population of
Los Angeles.
D. For maximum name recognition a candidate need not spend on media channels other than radio
advertising.
E. A candidate's record of achievement in the Los Angeles area will do little to affect his or her name
recognition there.
Answer : D
2. The rate of violent crime in this state is up 30 percent from last year. The fault lies entirely in our court system:
Recently our judges' sentences have been so lenient that criminals can now do almost anything without fear of a
long prison term.
A. 85 percent of the other states in the nation have lower crime rates than does this state.
B. white collar crime in this state has also increased by over 25 percent in the last year.
C. 35 percent of the police in this state have been laid off in the last year due to budget cuts.
D. polls show that 65 percent of the population in this state oppose capital punishment.
E. the state has hired 25 new judges in the last year to compensate for deaths and retirements.
Answer : C
3. The increase in the number of newspaper articles exposed as fabrications serves to bolster the contention that
publishers are more interested in boosting circulation than in printing the truth. Even minor publications have
staffs to check such obvious fraud.
Answer : E
4. Time and again it has been shown that students who attend colleges with low faculty/student ratios get the most
well-rounded education. As a result, when my children are ready to attend college, I'll be sure they attend a
school with a very small student population.
Which of the following, if true, identifies the greatest flaw in the reasoning above?
A. A low faculty/student ratio is the effect of a well-rounded education, not its source.
B. Intelligence should be considered the result of childhood environment, not advanced education.
C. A very small student population does not by itself, ensure a low faculty/student ratio.
D. Parental desires and preferences rarely determines a child's choice of a college or university.
E. Students must take advantage of the low faculty/student ratio by intentionally choosing small classes.
Answer : C
From which of the following can the statement above be most properly inferred?