Identify the Flaw (GMAT Course – Critical Reasoning Tactics – Common Question Tasks)

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Question Logistics
- Likely the Least Frequently Occurring Question Type
- Approximately Ten of the Questions in 36 Question Verbal Section
- Usually About 80% Argument Tasks and About 20% Inference Tasks

Strategic Best Practices
- Assume 2min per Question Average
- Maximum 3min for Any Question
- Note Task of Question Before Engaging Prompt
- Limit to Single Prompt Reread Before Eliminating Choices for Common Wrong Answers & Guessing
- Always Take Targeted Notes to Proactively Address Specific Question Task
- Primary Question Format to Guess and Skip if Behind Pace After Question 12 or Question 24

Recognizing Identify the Flaw Tasks
- Identify Reference to an Argument in Question Stem
- Note Task Words Such as “Flaw” “Vulnerable” “Fails to Consider”
- Beware of Mistaking a Weaken Task for an Identify the Flaw Task

Strategic Implications
- Requires a Close Consideration of the Details of the Argument
- No New Information is Provided by the Choices
- Attempt to Categorically Identify the Type of Argument to Broadly Predict Possible Assumptions
- Use Critical Thinking to Determine Why Assumption(s) May Prove Invalid
- Focus on Wrong Answers Addressing Concerns Beyond Conclusion
- Eliminate More Quickly if a Choice Closely Matches Prediction

Identifying Flaws in an Argument
- Try to Predict Specifically Based on the Type of Argument the Reason an - Assumption Required to Validate the Conclusion is Unlikely to be True
- Properly Categorizing an Argument is Especially Helpful in Proactively - Identifying Reasoning Flaws to Expedite Elimination

Analogy | A = B
- Assumes – Items in argument are comparable in relevant ways
- Likely Flaw – Items are not reasonably comparable in a specifically relevant way

Representation
- Assumes – Evidentiary sample is representative of the larger whole population in conclusion
- Likely Flaws – Subtle term shifts from evidence to conclusion or a sample that is inherently unrepresentative of the overall population it claims to represent

Data and Evidence Interpretation
- Assumes – No other reasonable interpretation of data or evidence
- Likely Flaw – There is another more likely interpretation of the evidence or numerical data than is suggested by the conclusion

Causality | A implies B
- Assumes – No other possible causes or outcomes, and that the circumstance is not merely a coincidence
- Likely Flaws – Another cause or outcome is more reasonable, or the conclusion seems coincidental

Plan or Recommendation
- Assumes – Execution and approach will work
- Likely Flaw – The plan or recommendation has an inherent weakness that will not allow it to succeed or shows that the plan is unnecessary

Identify the Flaw Task Checklist

Step 1
- Note an Identify the Flaw Task by Recognizing Key Indicator Terms and the Presence of an Argument with a Main Conclusion

Step 2
- Read Prompt as Written Paying Close Attention to Type of Information Provided in Premise and Note Explicit Conclusion

Step 3
- If Common Argument Identified – More Specifically Predict What an Inherent Flaw in the Argument is Based on Type of Evidence
- If No Common Argument Identified – Use Generic Prediction “Find Reason the Conclusion That... is Inherently Unlikely”

Step 4
- Seek a Match to Your Prediction and Eliminate Choices that Fail to Address Task Using Common Wrong Answer Reasons