Here we have an inference question with lots of facts and figures. Since the answer to an inference question is something that MUST BE TRUE based on one or more of the pieces of information, we think to ourselves "I'll be able to draw concrete conclusions from the numbers, so there's an excellent chance that the correct answer will be a mathematical deduction."

Accordingly, let's start with the choices related to math, (B) and (C).



We know that 1/3 have significant financial responsibilities, but we have no info on how those students fulfil those duties. Accordingly, (B) is not a MUST BE TRUE and can be eliminated.



We know that 1/3 have significant responsibilities; we also know that 80% have opened a bank account and 1/3 of the 80% have bounced a cheque.

Is 1/3 of 100% > than 1/3 of 80%? YES! Accordingly, (C) MUST BE TRUE and is the correct answer to the question.

* * *

When you're practicing, you should review every answer choice to every question. So, although in a test situation we'd choose (C) and move on, let's go into "review mode" and take a quick look at the other 3 choices:



Nothing in the stimulus suggest that this is a MUST BE TRUE - we'd have to know a lot more about the educational system to evaluate the impact of (A) - eliminate.



Just because those who have significant financial responsibilities contribute to food, shelter or clothing, that doesn't mean that the reverse is true. This is more of a classic LSAT trap (reversal of sufficiency and necessity, related to formal logic) than a GMAT one.



Classic scope shift/too extreme trap - we know that 2/3 don't have "significant" financial responsibilities, but that's not the same as "no" financial responsibilities.
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Stuart Kovinsky
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Thanks Stuart,

OA is C indeed.

In the test I got confused by the question stem - "Which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn from the statements above"

I thought its an identify the conclusion question....and hence marked A...though I knew that C must be true.
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The night is at its darkest just before the dawn... never, ever give up!

A little math involved but my answer is also C.

i think the question is wrong. it mentions only percentages. what if only 100 people were surveyed in the first first study and thousand people were surveyed in the second(nowhere is it mentioned the no. of people surveyed is the same). then people having responsibilities is one third of 100=33 approx. now the no. of people whose checks bounced in one third of 80% of 1000=0.3 * 800. which is more than 33. Can the experts throw light on this please?
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this time, we play for keeps

i guess that your claim about the number of students surveyed would have made an excellent choice if the question had involved finding an assumption that weakens the argument. However, since we are presented with facts here, the default assumption made must be that the 2 surveys involved the same number, or set of people.
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My option : A
Analysis: Option B false ,because the above info points to 1/3 rd seniors exactly.
Option C: No discussion for checks/bouncing checks is made here.
Option D:These responsibilities include, [highlight]but are not limited to[/highlight]. This says all!!
Option E:This cannot be concluded as the above info says"themselves or their families"