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Struggling with CR Questions 10 May 2010, 12:39
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Hi,

I am taking my exam in a month and I am still not getting very many CR questions right. I am using the Kaplan method for CR: Read the stimulus, untangle the argument, define Evidence and Conclusion, find the unstated assumptions and predict the answser.

I am struggling with stating the assumption part. I try to take notes while reading the stimulus but I still can't come up with a good assumption. My answer choices are always out of scope or close to the assumptions but not absolutely right. Anyone know a good way to overcome this hurdle?

Thanks!



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This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Critical Reasoning (CR) Forum
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Struggling with CR Questions 10 May 2010, 12:45
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nshah12
Hi,

I am taking my exam in a month and I am still not getting very many CR questions right. I am using the Kaplan method for CR: Read the stimulus, untangle the argument, define Evidence and Conclusion, find the unstated assumptions and predict the answser.

I am struggling with stating the assumption part. I try to take notes while reading the stimulus but I still can't come up with a good assumption. My answer choices are always out of scope or close to the assumptions but not absolutely right. Anyone know a good way to overcome this hurdle?

Thanks!
Show more

Personally, I have never liked Kaplan strategies. One of my reasons for my low V score on my first attempt. I'd rather suggest, postpone your exam date at least 3 months and concentrate on Powerscore CR Bible, it is the Holy Bible for CR. Strategies, patterns and techniques are just fantabulous!!!!
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Struggling with CR Questions 10 May 2010, 12:49
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nshah12
Hi,

I am taking my exam in a month and I am still not getting very many CR questions right. I am using the Kaplan method for CR: Read the stimulus, untangle the argument, define Evidence and Conclusion, find the unstated assumptions and predict the answser.

I am struggling with stating the assumption part. I try to take notes while reading the stimulus but I still can't come up with a good assumption. My answer choices are always out of scope or close to the assumptions but not absolutely right. Anyone know a good way to overcome this hurdle?

Thanks!
Show more

In assumption questions try to find the link between the premises and the conclusion that would make the conclusion valid.

For example, and I'm making this one up:

The fuel efficiency in a vehicle varies with speed and the faster one goes the lower the fuel efficiency. Since I commute to work every day utilizing the freeway, I do not expect to get the best fuel mileage.

Remember, there can be more than one assumption. This is the problem with trying to figure out an answer before you actually read the answers. If you are too specific then a certain answer can throw you off.

Some valid assumptions:
I am a fast driver
The freeway is not congested
The speed that I will travel is not the optimum

The problem with being too specific, using any of the above examples, is that I can lose time, or concentration, if an answer doesn't match my assumption.

It might be better to say something else like:
Something will allow me to not achieve the maximum fuel efficiency. (This statement, an assumption, can encompass all three of my detailed statements)
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Struggling with CR Questions 10 May 2010, 13:37
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Thank you for the input!
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Struggling with CR Questions 10 May 2010, 20:51
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nshah12
Hi,

I am taking my exam in a month and I am still not getting very many CR questions right. I am using the Kaplan method for CR: Read the stimulus, untangle the argument, define Evidence and Conclusion, find the unstated assumptions and predict the answser.

I am struggling with stating the assumption part. I try to take notes while reading the stimulus but I still can't come up with a good assumption. My answer choices are always out of scope or close to the assumptions but not absolutely right. Anyone know a good way to overcome this hurdle?

Thanks!
Show more
Hi nshah,

I can give you a few pointers!

First, you've stated the Kaplan method for the majority of cases, but not all of them. Remember that Explain and Inference questions don't have Evidence, Assumption, and Conclusion; if you're looking for assumptions in those problems, that could be a source of frustration.

Second, remember Kaplan's three special cases. Cause and Effect, Representativeness, and Plans and Predictions are easily recognizable repeating patterns; spotting them can simplify a successful critical reasoning question.

Finally, you don't need to get every assumption exactly right. As long as you're in scope, you will often be able to spot the correct answer with a basic guess. In a problem about flag-flying laws, for instance, it may be hard to figure out if the author assumes all flags are patriotic or all patriots fly flags or big flags are more patriotic. However, if you know you want to weaken that link between flags and patriotism--whatever it may be--you can still guess that the correct answer is the one that says "businesses fly flags to attract customers, not to demonstrate patriotism."

Keep up the good work, and let me know if there is anything else I can do to help!
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Struggling with CR Questions 11 May 2010, 05:10
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lagomez


In assumption questions try to find the link between the premises and the conclusion that would make the conclusion valid.

For example, and I'm making this one up:

The fuel efficiency in a vehicle varies with speed and the faster one goes the lower the fuel efficiency. Since I commute to work every day utilizing the freeway, I do not expect to get the best fuel mileage.

Remember, there can be more than one assumption. This is the problem with trying to figure out an answer before you actually read the answers. If you are too specific then a certain answer can throw you off.

Some valid assumptions:
I am a fast driver
The freeway is not congested
The speed that I will travel is not the optimum

The problem with being too specific, using any of the above examples, is that I can lose time, or concentration, if an answer doesn't match my assumption.

It might be better to say something else like:
Something will allow me to not achieve the maximum fuel efficiency. (This statement, an assumption, can encompass all three of my detailed statements)
Show more

This is a very good illustration! Kudos!
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Struggling with CR Questions 11 May 2010, 06:02
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First of all, RELAX.

If you are facing this issue in Assumption part then first check how many other types of CR question you do correctly and leave assumption based for a dat or two.

Revise your questions you did before. Before looking at the answers and explanation, try to come up with 2-3 reasons to answer the question and check your reasons with the given explanation.

You should not jump to very difficult questions as this approach can bomb your CR confidence. Try to focus on OG CR and solve some easy questions.

This will ease.



Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Critical Reasoning (CR) Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
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