GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions

About half of the 23 questions in the GMAT verbal section are GMAT critical reasoning questions.

Typical questions in critical reasoning (GMAT CR) include strengthening an argument, weakening an argument, identifying the assumption of an argument, mimicking the reasoning, identifying the reasoning, conclusion, inference, bold-faced statements, and evaluating an argument.

Below are curated sample GMAT critical reasoning questions from these topics. Attempt these questions and check if you have the correct answer. 

1. GMAT critical reasoning questions ( Example 1) 

Linda: In the 1800s, it was found that one in every six women who gave birth in hospitals died of a fever they had contracted after delivering the child and that the mortality was not as high if they gave birth at home with the help of a midwife. It was found that the doctors had a poorer sense of hygiene and that their dirty hands and instruments were leading to pathogens entering a woman's bloodstream. Thankfully, hygienic conditions today are much better, and women are safer.Fiona: But doctors today are so overworked that several doctors, aware of the need for better hygiene, barely find the time to wash their hands. The likelihood of infections caused by doctors is probably not any better.

Which of the following can be used by Fiona to establish further that Linda does not need to be correct in her reasoning?

1. A nationwide survey found that doctors, especially experienced ones, are more prone to believing they could not possibly carry pathogens.
2. It is reported that around 50,000 people die every year in our country from hospital-acquired infections.
3. All doctors and nurses strictly adhere to compulsory hand cleansing before every significant surgical procedure.
4. During a study, doctors handling newborn babies self-reported a hand cleansing rate of 90%.
5. Nurses are no better than doctors in adhering to strict cleansing schedules, incredibly when busy.

Answer: A

2. GMAT critical reasoning questions ( Example 2) 

The Americans with disabilities act (ADA) was designed to ensure that there is no discrimination against and unfair termination of differently-abled workers in the workplace. However, after the act was introduced, there was a marked increase in unemployment among the differently abled.

Which of the following best explains this seeming discrepancy?

1. Several differently-abled people chose not to work
2. Not willing to deal with the issues of workplace discrimination of the differently-abled, several companies recruited fewer of them in the first place
3. Knowing that the act was about to be enforced, companies terminated some of the differently-abled while they had a chance
4.  There was no act introduced that would guarantee a job for the differently-abled
5. Unemployment among the able-bodied has remained consistently high.

Answer: B

3. GMAT critical reasoning questions ( Example 3) 

To curb drug abuse, the government has imposed strict laws to prosecute the dealers. However, such an initiative is unlikely to be effective. Prosecuting dealers will lead to a shortage of drugs. At the same time, because no efforts are being taken to curb demand, drugs will be sold at a premium, attracting more people to the very remunerative job of drug dealing. Therefore, to effectively reduce drug abuse, the government will have to prosecute the drug users and not dealers.

Which of the following is the most relevant information in evaluating the credibility of the argument?

1. Whether efforts have been successfully taken in any other country to regulate drug users.
2. Whether the payoff from selling drugs outweighs the severity of the punishment
3. Whether drugs will continue to be sold at a premium when there are dealers in the market again
4. Whether the majority of the users will be willing to pay a premium to continue to use the drugs
5. Whether the government will be able to keep track of new dealers as and when they enter the market.

Answer: D 

4. GMAT critical reasoning questions ( Example 4) 

Alan: In the last 15 years, most of the criminals who were convicted of theft or murder were from the lower-income classes and had not completed high school. Therefore, the government has to spend more money on reducing poverty and increasing funding for education. Because terrorism is the most severe of all crimes, such measures would bring down the overall crime rate and reduce the threat from terrorism. Dylan: A study that was conducted in a country known to produce several terrorists showed that, on average, the terrorists were better educated than the overall population and that they did not necessarily come from lower-income classes. This is probably because crimes such as theft are committed for personal gain, while terrorism is for political or religious gain.

Which of the following best describes Dylan's response to Alan?

1. Dylan changes the direction of the argument entirely by discussing the scenario in a different country
2. Dylan partially agrees with Alan's reasoning but refutes his recommendation to the government
3. Dylan converts a causal argument made by Alan into a generalisation applicable universally
4. Dylan challenges Alan's reasoning by explaining why two situations that Alan perceives as similar are not
5. While Alan arrives at a conclusion by drawing an analogy, Dylan arrives at the same conclusion by refuting the analogy

Answer: D

5. GMAT critical reasoning questions ( Example 5) 

During the last 50 years in England, the national football team has had at least 60℅ of its players born from January to March. Similarly, in Germany, at least 50℅ of the team has been born during the first three months of the year. In fact, this statistic holds true for most European countries. This shows that in most European countries, parents with kids born early in the year are more likely to encourage a football career.

Which of the following best explains why the conclusion need not be the best explanation for the statistic?

1. Of the remaining members, 60℅ or more tend to be born between the months of April and June.
2. Parents of kids born in the second half of the year have displayed a measurable intent to promote scholarly careers
3. The age cut-off for kids to try out for a team in most European countries is calculated as December 31 of any year, and the older the kid during trials, the greater the chances of getting the right opportunities.
4. The school year usually begins in April in most European countries, and many parents are known to encourage students to work on their academics and not sports during the school year.
5. During the last 50 years, on average 30℅ of the kids have been born during the first three months of the year.

Answer: C

Conclusion 

This blog provides a complete overview of the GMAT CR. You will learn everything you need to know about GMAT Critical Reasoning (or GMAT Logical reasoning, as it is commonly known), what it tests, the skills required to ace it, and a whole list of different GMAT CR sample questions for your practice!