GMAT Critical Reasoning Assumption Questions

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) assumption questions ask you to identify the underlying assumptions that support an argument. The assumptions are unstated or implicit premises that need to be true for the conclusion to be valid. Here is a quick guide on how to answer GMAT CR assumption questions effectively.

GMAT critical reasoning assumption questions – the standard approach

1. Identify the conclusion: Before you can identify the assumption, you need to understand the conclusion of the argument. The conclusion is the main point that the argument is trying to make.
2. Identify the premise(s): Look for the evidence or reasons that support the conclusion. These are the premises of the argument.
3. Identify any gaps in the argument: Consider whether there are any missing pieces of information that would strengthen or weaken the argument. These gaps can be clues to the underlying assumption(s).
4. Predict the assumption: Based on the conclusion, premises, and any gaps in the argument, predict what assumptions are needed for the argument to be valid.
5. Evaluate each answer choice: Consider how each answer choice relates to the predicted assumption. If the answer choice is not necessary to the argument, eliminate it. If it strengthens the assumption, keep it.
6. Confirm your answer: Once you have selected an answer choice, read the argument again to confirm that your answer is relevant and supported by the argument.

Here are some examples of GMAT CR assumption questions and how to answer them:

1. Which of the following is an assumption made in the argument below?

Argument: “All of the top-performing employees in our company have advanced degrees. Therefore, we should require all new hires to have an advanced degree.”

1. A) The company has a sufficient number of top-performing employees to make a statistically significant conclusion.
2. B) All employees who have advanced degrees are top-performing employees.
3. C) Advanced degrees are necessary for top-performing employees.
4. D) The cost of requiring an advanced degree for new hires is justified by the benefits.
5. E) Advanced degrees are widely available and accessible to potential hires.

Answer: B) All employees who have advanced degrees are top-performing employees.

Explanation: The argument assumes that all employees who have advanced degrees are top-performing employees, which is not necessarily true. This assumption is needed to support the conclusion that requiring an advanced degree for new hires will result in top-performing employees.

1. Which of the following is an assumption that the argument relies on?

Argument: “A recent survey found that 90% of people who switched to our brand of laundry detergent reported cleaner and brighter clothes. Therefore, our detergent is better than all other brands.”

1. A) The survey was conducted by a reputable and unbiased organization.
2. B) The survey included a statistically significant number of participants.
3. C) The survey participants used the detergent as directed.
4. D) The survey participants did not receive any compensation for their participation.
5. E) The survey was conducted using a double-blind methodology.

Answer: C) The survey participants used the detergent as directed.

Explanation: The argument assumes that the survey participants used the detergent as directed, which is needed to support the conclusion that the detergent is better than all other brands. If the participants did not use the detergent as directed, the survey results may not accurately reflect the effectiveness of the detergent.

The unconventional approach to solve GMAT CR questions

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) assumption questions can be tricky, and the standard approach of identifying the unstated premise may not always be the most effective way to arrive at the correct answer. Here are some unconventional ways to solve GMAT CR assumption questions:

1. Look for Contradictions: Look for answer choices that contradict the argument or the conclusion. Often, the correct answer choice will point out a potential flaw in the argument, such as a missing piece of information or a logical fallacy. By identifying the contradiction, you can narrow down the answer choices and arrive at the correct assumption.
2. Use Logical Reasoning: Instead of relying solely on the content of the argument, use logical reasoning to determine the underlying assumption. For example, you could use the process of elimination to eliminate answer choices that are clearly irrelevant or illogical. You could also use deductive reasoning to eliminate answer choices that are not necessary for the argument to be valid.
3. Consider the Opposite: Consider the opposite of the conclusion and ask yourself what assumptions would be necessary for that to be true. For example, if the argument concludes that a new product will be successful, consider what assumptions would need to be true for the product to fail. This approach can help you identify the unstated premises that underlie the argument.
4. Use Real-World Knowledge: Sometimes, real-world knowledge can help you identify the underlying assumption of the argument. For example, if the argument is about the effects of a new medical treatment, your knowledge of medicine and biology could help you identify the necessary assumptions. Similarly, if the argument is about a company’s financial performance, your knowledge of business and economics could be useful.
5. Think Outside the Box: Don’t limit yourself to the standard types of assumptions, such as cause-and-effect or correlation. Consider other types of assumptions, such as assumptions about the audience, the context, or the intent of the argument. By thinking creatively, you may be able to arrive at the correct answer even if it is not the most obvious one.

Here is an example of how to use an unconventional approach to solve a GMAT CR assumption question:

Argument: “Studies have shown that people who eat more vegetables have a lower risk of heart disease. Therefore, everyone should eat more vegetables.”

1. A) The studies were conducted over a long enough period to be statistically significant. B) The studies were conducted on a diverse group of people. C) The studies accounted for other factors that could affect heart disease risk, such as exercise and smoking. D) The studies were conducted by reputable and unbiased researchers. E) The studies controlled for the fact that people who eat more vegetables may be more health-conscious overall.

Standard Approach: The standard approach would be to identify the missing premise that links the evidence to the conclusion. In this case, the missing premise is that eating more vegetables causes a lower risk of heart disease. The correct answer choice would be the one that makes this assumption.

Unconventional Approach: Instead of focusing on the cause-and-effect relationship, consider the opposite of the conclusion. If the argument is not true, what assumptions would need to be false? In this case, if everyone ate more vegetables and the risk of heart disease did not decrease, what assumptions would need to be false? Answer choice E) is the correct answer because it points out that people who eat more vegetables may be more health-conscious overall, which could confound the results of the studies. This assumption is necessary for the argument to be valid, but it is not a standard cause-and-effect assumption.

Some more examples of solving GMAT Critical Reasoning Assumption questions

Argument: “Our company’s new marketing campaign has been a success because we have seen an increase in sales since it launched. Therefore, our marketing team must be doing a great job.”

Which of the following is an assumption upon which the argument depends?

1. A) There are no external factors that could have contributed to the increase in sales.
2. B) The increase in sales is solely attributable to the new marketing campaign.
3. C) Customers who bought the product during the marketing campaign were not influenced by other factors, such as discounts or promotions.
4. D) The increase in sales is sustainable over the long-term.
5. E) The company has never experienced an increase in sales before.

Answer: The correct answer is B) The increase in sales is solely attributable to the new marketing campaign.

Explanation: In this argument, the conclusion is that the company’s new marketing campaign has been a success because there has been an increase in sales since it launched. To reach this conclusion, the argument assumes that the increase in sales is solely attributable to the new marketing campaign. Without this assumption, other factors such as external events or the company’s reputation could be responsible for the increase in sales, and the argument would not necessarily be valid.

Answer choice A is a possible assumption, but it is not necessary for the argument to be valid. Answer choice C is irrelevant to the argument because the argument does not address the impact of discounts or promotions on sales. Answer choice D is not an assumption, but rather a separate issue that the argument does not address. Answer choice E is a possible inference, but it is not an assumption upon which the argument depends.

Therefore, the correct answer is B) The increase in sales is solely attributable to the new marketing campaign.

Argument: “The new housing development will create jobs and generate tax revenue, making it a positive addition to the community. Therefore, the city council should approve the development.”

Which of the following is an assumption upon which the argument depends?

1. A) The housing development will not negatively impact the environment.
2. B) The jobs created by the housing development will benefit the local community.
3. C) The tax revenue generated by the housing development will outweigh any costs associated with increased demand for public services.
4. D) The city council has the legal authority to approve the housing development.
5. E) There are no other feasible alternatives for creating jobs and generating tax revenue in the community.

Answer: The correct answer is C) The tax revenue generated by the housing development will outweigh any costs associated with increased demand for public services.

Explanation: In this argument, the conclusion is that the new housing development will be a positive addition to the community because it will create jobs and generate tax revenue. To reach this conclusion, the argument assumes that the tax revenue generated by the housing development will outweigh any costs associated with increased demand for public services. Without this assumption, the city council cannot be certain that approving the housing development will be financially beneficial to the community, and the argument would not necessarily be valid.

Answer choice A is a possible assumption, but it is not necessary for the argument to be valid. Answer choice B is a possible inference, but it is not an assumption upon which the argument depends. Answer choice D is also not an assumption, but rather a separate issue related to the city council’s authority. Answer choice E is irrelevant to the argument because it does not address the financial impact of the housing development.

Therefore, the correct answer is C) The tax revenue generated by the housing development will outweigh any costs associated with increased demand for public services.

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