GMAT CLUB OLYMPICS: Each of the past four years, the number of applica

Alternatively, we are looking for a statement that would STRENGTHEN the conclusion that fewer US students are interested in PhDs in literature currently.

A Could possibly weaken, if given more information. Unclear.

B. Irrelevant - the conclusion is about US students, not international students.

C. Correct. Doubling the cost of tuition could definitely strengthen the conclusion that fewer US students are interested in PhD literature programs.

D. This could weaken the argument. We would need more information about what specific PhD programs have seen a decline in applications.

E. Lack of accurate data could definitely weaken the conclusion.

Posted from my mobile device

Each of the past four years, the number of applications to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by more than ten percent year over year according to a recent report by American College Daily. From this statistic, it can be reasonably concluded that fewer U.S. students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago.

conclusion: literature phd applicantants declined because fewer US students are interested in it now than 4 yrs ago.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the conclusion EXCEPT:


A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years. -the age has nothing to do with the conclusion therefore correct answer choice, it didn't weaken the conclusion.

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years. -yes it weaken the conclusion because the conclusion only consider US students.

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years.-yes weaken the conclusion, the students may still be interested in literature but because of the cost they don't apply.

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years.-weaken since not just literature that drop, but whole phd programs so not that the US students are not interested.

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago. -yes weaken it's not just the US students arnt interested but the programs may just have not report the data.

A

Each of the past four years, the number of applications to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by more than ten percent year over year according to a recent report by American College Daily. From this statistic, it can be reasonably concluded that fewer U.S. students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the conclusion EXCEPT:


A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years.
Average age should no affect the conclusion.
CORRECT

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years.
So, the decline after all may not be in the number of the US students, but due to the declining number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years.
So, it may be the COST that is discouraging the students and not the interest in literature Ph.D. programs.

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years.
Now, the option says that the earlier each student was filling up 7 forms and now it is 4. In a way, this is almost a 43% drop. This actually may tell us that the number of student applying has increased.

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago.
If fewer colleges are giving data, the decline may be attributable to this trend rather than the interest of students.


A

Answer: D

Each of the past four years, the number of applications to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by more than ten percent year over year according to a recent report by American College Daily. From this statistic, it can be reasonably concluded that fewer U.S. students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the conclusion EXCEPT:


A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years. --> Incorrect. Because of the change in average age of applicants, it is a possibility that even though students are interested in literature Ph.D., they might not be able to apply. This weakens the conclusion.

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years. --> Incorrect. Since number of international students applicants is reduced, there is a possibility that U.S. students are still interested and their application numbers are still same or higher over four years. This weakens the conclusion.

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years. --> Incorrect. Since cost of the program is increased, the students may not be able to apply for the program but that doesn't mean that interest in literature is reduced across students. This weakens the conclusion.

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years. --> Correct. Even if this statement is true, it doesn't talk about literature Ph.D. program which is what the argument is about. This is going beyond the scope of the argument, hence this doesn't weaken the conclusion and is correct option.

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago. --> Incorrect. The data about decrease in no. of applications may very well be due to many programs opting out to provide data. With less data than available, its a possibility that no. of applications and interest across students may be same or increased rather than decrease. This weakens the conclusion.

Each of the past four years, the number of applications to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by more than ten percent year over year according to a recent report by American College Daily. From this statistic, it can be reasonably concluded that fewer U.S. students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago.

Question is asking which of the of can not be the alternate cause or supporting the authors conclusion.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the conclusion EXCEPT:

A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years.
- eligible age may have been increased or decreased and this has led to fewer applications

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years.
- means more US students are applying
- Weakner

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years.
- economical factor could be a reason

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years.
- this is stating that average applicants are applying to the fewer number of programs and reason is not stated
- Also this option is talking about same students, who have applied for the program. Cannot infer about other set of students
- CORRECT

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago.
- alternate cause

My answer is A
The conclusion of the argument is that fewer US students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago.We have to have option that doesn't weaken this conclusion.

A.The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years:This statement doesn't weaken the conclusion. It doesn't matter if the age of applicants has changed markedly. Interest of students may still decline irrespective of age.

B.The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years: It says that number of international students applying has declined. This weakens the conclusion because the number of applicants
can decline without loss of interest among US students. So B is out.

C.The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years:If the cost has doubled than cost might be the reason for decline in number rather than loss of interest. This weakens the conclusion. C is out

D.The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years: If the average number of programs that students apply to has dropped than it might be a reason for drop in number of literature applicants. So we can say that overall number of phd applications have declined. This weakens the conclusion. D is out

E.The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago: This weakens the conclusion because if number of Ph.D programs reporting data
ta has declined than the data collected may not represent actual result. E is out.

A seems like the best choice.

Posted from my mobile device

Each of the past four years, the number of applications to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by more than ten percent year over year according to a recent report by American College Daily. From this statistic, it can be reasonably concluded that fewer U.S. students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the conclusion EXCEPT:

A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years. -> If age is reduced then, there will be less students to fit into the age limit, so number of students declined. Incorrect.

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years. -> If foreign students are declined to apply then number of students will decline for PhD program. Incorrect.

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years. -> Cost can be deterrent for PhD students. Incorrect.

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years. -> How can nos. of program affect the number of students. Correct.

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago. -> Incorrect.

So, I think D.

IMO A

Reasoning:-
1. B- international students have not been applying as much as they used to, so there are fewer applications and not because fewer US students are interested. Weakens. Eliminated
2. C- Cost has increased- so even if there is interest, affordability is lacking. Weakens. Eliminated
3. D- A student is now only submitting 4 applications instead of 7 on average. So the number of applications has decreased. Weakens. Eliminated.
4. E- Not all data is reported. Weakens. Eliminated

Thus answer is A. Age has no bearing on the change of number.

A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years. --This one is tricky, this may actually weaken the argument if average age gradually increases showing there is a decline in the number of young students opting for the course

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years. -- This is in support of the argument

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years. -- This is in support of the argument

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years. -- This is in support of the argument

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago. --This is the correct option. This statement has nothing to do with the argument

Each of the past four years, the number of applications to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by more than ten percent year over year according to a recent report by American College Daily. From this statistic, it can be reasonably concluded that fewer U.S. students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the conclusion EXCEPT:

Conclusion - Fewer U.S. students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago

A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years.
Correct. This doesn't weaken the conclusion that fewer US students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years.
Incorrect. This weakens the conclusion that fewer US students are interested in literature PhD programs now than were four years ago

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years.
Incorrect. This weakens the conclusion that fewer US students are interested in literature PhD programs now than were four years ago

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years.
Incorrect. This weakens the conclusion that fewer US students are interested in literature PhD programs now than were four years ago

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago.
Incorrect. This weakens the argument

My reply is probably not in the right format, but here it is.
I chose B because the report mentions US students and B gives out information about International students which shouldn't really change much of the view of the report as the two groups are distinct.

A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years.

Correct because this choice doesn’t explain why decrease in the number of applications are occurring. The reverse may very well be true.
Average age may change in any direction but the number of application may rise or fall unrelated of this age.
Therefore this choice is correct.

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years.

Incorrect because this choice weakens the conclusion by showing that the decrease actually occurred because of international students, not US students as the stem says.

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years.

Incorrect because this choice weakens the conclusion by showing that there is another factor that decreased the number f applications other than the decreasing interest of US students. High cost may be deterring who are actually interested in studying literature.

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years.

This choice also weakens by showing that the overall number of applications decreased but the number of interested students is still the same.

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago.

If universities stopped reporting to the organization whose report we are talking, then this organization may simply don’t know how many applications are being received.

So A
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A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years.
THe Average Age is irrelevant to interest.
RIGHT ANSWER - This is completely irrelevant to the argument. Age, in reality has nothing to do with the number of applications.

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years.
REJECTED - As this weakens.
THe international students could be applying in decreasing numbers, while the US students could be increasing.

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years.
REJECTED - As this weakens.
Increasing cost could be a reason for the decreasing applications.

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years.
REJECTED - As this weakens.
One student needs just one seat. If the number of applications each student puts in is decreasing, it need not indicate declining intrest, as each student will eventually get a seat.

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago.
REJECTED - As this weakens.
If the data that the American Daily is getting is wrong, because it is not willing ot pay for it, in other words, if colleges are not reporting the data, but the American Daily still uses the data it gets, the results are bound ot be wrong.

Each of the past four years, the number of applications to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by more than ten percent year over year according to a recent report by American College Daily. From this statistic, it can be reasonably concluded that fewer U.S. students are interested in literature Ph.D. programs now than were four years ago.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the conclusion EXCEPT:


A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years. Correct

neither weakens conclusion nor support

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years. Incorrect

so decrease may not for Us students

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years. Incorrect

cant be reason for decreasing number of students

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years. Incorrect

so, not only students decrease in literature Ph.D. programs but also in other programs

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago. Incorrect

report published by American College Daily may not true
_________________

IMO C

A. The average age of applicants to United States literature Ph.D. programs has changed markedly over the past four years. --- because not many are eligible to apply the no of people applying has dropped not because they did not want to apply

B. The number of international students applying to literature Ph.D. programs in the United States has declined by nearly half in the past four years. --- no of international students have dropped while no of students from US applying has remained same

C. The cost of attending a literature Ph.D. program in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years. --- this clearly strengthens the argument by stating a possible reason why the numbers have dropped

D. The average number of Ph.D. programs that the average Ph.D. applicant applies to has dropped from seven to four over the past four years. --- no of people applying has not reduced but the no of colleges people are applying to has so our conclusion can be challenged with this option.

E. The number of Ph.D. programs reporting data to American College Daily has declined precipitously since the publication stopped compensating for such submissions three years ago. --- if not many programs are reporting then the comparison made in the study is flawed hence, weakening the conclusion.

No worries and no problem! Thanks for giving it a shot!
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