CR is predominantly based on Inductive Logic unlike Deductive Logic in the Indian B-School entrance exams. however, there are some strands of Deductive Logic that you should bear in mind. First, 'If A, Then B'. Now look at the following conclusions
- If Not A, Then Not B
- If Not B, Then Not A
Which of these do you think is valid? If you say both are correct, then you are absolutely wrong. Only the second option is logically correct.
Another premise to look out for is All X are Y. Now see the following conclusions
- Some Y are X
- All Y are X
Which of these will always be logically correct? If you said its the first conclusion, then you are bang on target. Some Y are X will always be true. However, All Y are X may not always be true.
If you can have these 2 deductive logic threads ingrained in you, you are set to take CR to the next level. In inductive logic, the simple theme to remember is Assumption + Evidence = Conclusion.
An assumption is never stated explicitly. It is the basic foundation on which an argument stands. So an assumption has to be as strong as possible. Evidence is what an author will give basis which he arrives at a conclusion. Your role in Critical Reasoning is similar to that of a lawyer. You are going into the court for a case but you don't know whether you are a part of defence or prosecution. Your attitude is 'I really don't care whether I have to attack or defend. I will win regardless of my position'. Remember that on the CR, you hold the rights. Any argument can be strengthened or weakened on the GMAT. It simply depends on what the question stem wants you to do. It may seem a little strange in the beginning but to get into this habit, start with the OG Verbal book. Look at the first 20 question stems. Don't bother about what the question is asking you to do. Simply read the text. Sit back for a moment and think - If I had to attack this argument, how can I do that? Vice versa, think if you had to defend this argument, what points can you put forth?
If you have to look for an assumption, look for an assumption as strong as possible.
If you have to arrive at a conclusion look for a safe conclusion. 'Never', 'No', 'All', 'Always' are keywords that are almost always wrong conclusions. Look out for the keywords like 'some', 'perhaps', 'probably', 'maybe' etc. Wear the hat of a good politician or quaky astrologer. they make such equivocal statements. The best example I can think of is that of Nadi astrologers in South India. You give your thumb impression and after half an hour, the guy comes up with some dried palm leaf with scribbles only he can understand. Then he rattles out some 'poetry' and translates that for you. Typical statements given to a young guy, single, due to be married soon. 'Thou shall have a bride who will be the last off-spring of her parents. Maybe, just maybe she might be the second or the second last. Thou shall marry a girl who will be very fair and good looking. Maybe, just maybe she will have a wheatish tinge in some portions of her limbs. Her name will start with the letters A, K, S, R, T, P, D. The name will have a good meaning. Most probably she will come into your life from the South, South-East or North direction. Her house will be located at a distance ranging from 100km to 1000km'. All right enough of the Nadi astrologer. Lets get back to the GMAT business. Did you get the point Im trying to make regarding conclusions? Its always a dichotomy, a dilemna-like situation. Maybe, maybe not. A conclusion is supposed to cover both sides ;)
The other thing to remember is the management jargon of 'Apple to Apple' comparison. You always compare 2 relatively equal objects, people, capabilties. Any deviation from that and the argument falls apart.
Oh how can I forget to stress on the importance of percentages and statistics. The GMAT test masters love to throw arguments based on percentages and statistics. The moment you see percentages, immediately check whether the evidence has some reference to absolute numbers. If not then the argument is baseless. This is similar to some of the simple Data Sufficiency questions you get on the quantitative.
1. Sam got a 5% increase in his salary
2. Judy got an 8% increase in her salary
Who earns more after these increases? Can you answer the question with the 2 statements. Smart - you cannot. Same logic applies in Critical Reasoning.
Once you have these basics in place, its just a matter of practice to attack CR questions. Its actually no big deal. By and large you will be able to do it on your own. It does help to have a coach. Be very careful when you choose a coach. Don't get misled by big brands and big bucks. Exhorbitant fees are no guarantee that you will do well. On the other hand, economically priced coaching does not mean compromise on quality. There are a good number of coaches all over India who give personalized coaching at economic prices and different versions of GMAT Coaching. For example, in Pune GMAT Wings offers GMAT Comprehensive, GMAT Verbal and coming up with a GMAT Sprint version (a fast-track crash course at advanced levels). Visit http://www.gmatwings.in/ for details. In Bangalore, Arun Jagan and team conduct a Bootcamp program with a lot of emphasis on the Verbal section. It is spaced across 2 weekends and normally there is 1 bootcamp every month. Visit http://www.crackverbal.com/ for details. In Chennai, GMAT 4u conducts extremely good courses at economic prices. Visit http://www.4gmat.com/ for details. They have a chapter in Bangalore as well.
Let me remind you, that at the end of the day, a coach can guide you, mentor you and help you channelize your efforts, time and hone your abilities. You are responsible for your career and need to take charge of it.
Now lets move over to the Sentence Correction part. You don't need to be a grammar guru or a Wren & Martin specialist for GMAT Sentences. There are some basic errors that are tested and there are some concepts that you just have to take them as given. for example, there is no logic as to why 'rather than' is a better option than 'instead of'. On the GMAT, if you have 2 equally correct options one of which has 'rather than' and the other has 'instead of', in all likelihood the one with rather than is considered correct. Similarly with idioms - there is no logic as to why a particular idiom should go that way but thats the way it has to be - period.
The most common errors tested in SC are Parallelism, Pronoun placement, misplaced modifiers, singular-plural, idioms, verb tenses and structural usage. For example
Ram and Shyam go to school. (and joins the 2 people and hence the verb has to be plural)
Ram as well as Shyam goes to school. (as well as is simply another factor. Our subject still remains Ram and hence the verb has to be singular)
In all probablity, modifiers will have a comma before or after the subject/object. The modifier has to be placed next to the subject/object it is modifying. However, remember that placed next to the subject/object does not necessarily mean after the subject/object. It could be just before the subject/object as well
Example
Ram and Shyam go to school, that is located in Swiss County (modifier is after the object school)
Born in 1995, Vishakha holds the record of being the youngest tennis champion. (modifier is before the subject, Vishakha)
Vishakha holds the record of being the youngest tennis champion, born in 1995 (Misplaced modifier. It has to immediately before or after Vishakha. This is the correct format if the modifier has to be after the subject. Vishakha, born in 1995, holds the record of being the youngest tennis champion)
Make sure you go through all the questions in the 'Must have books' listed in my previous posts. Maintain the error log, follow the schedule systematically and you will chuckle your way through the GMAT. Never ever make the mistake of phrasing the sentence in your own words. Remember that on the GMAT, you get 5 options that may not necessarily match with the sentence you have in mind. I fully agree with Princeton Review's technique for SC. You are looking for the best choice or many a time, the option that stinks the least.
Your primary challenge on the GMAT SC part is to identify the error in the original sentence. Once you have figured that out, simply do a vertical scan and spot options that repeat the same error. Eliminate those options without even reading the statements. Typically you will boil down to 2 or 3 options after your first scan. The GMAT test masters love to hassle you with extremely similar looking options. When you do your second vertical scan, you will realize that 1 or 2 options take care of the original error but bring in new errors in the statement. Eliminate them right away without even bothering to read the entire statement. The vertical scan will help you save a lot of time especially at higher levels and long sentences. Once you are down to the last 2 options, go through the entire option and pick the best option (or the one that stinks the least).
As long as you remember the technique, 'First Vertical Scan then Horizontal Scan', you are good to go for the SC part.
To be continued...
Best Regards...Raj
