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The GMAT is written in English. However, the average score of native
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02 Feb 2023, 02:30
02 Feb 2023, 02:30
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The GMAT is written in English. However, the average score of native English speakers is below 550, which is considered a relatively low score on a scale of 200-800.
Which of the following does LEAST to resolve the above paradox?
(A) The GMAT does not test English knowledge but skills such as analytical skills and logic.
(B) The GMAT includes a quantitative section, which tests mathematical skills.
(C) GMAT scores are calculated to create a bell-shaped normal Gaussian distribution, so scores are relative to others' performance.
(D) The GMAT has a severe time limit, and for many test takers, time ends before they have solved all the questions.
(E) About 60% of GMAT test-takers are American.
Which of the following does LEAST to resolve the above paradox?
(A) The GMAT does not test English knowledge but skills such as analytical skills and logic.
(B) The GMAT includes a quantitative section, which tests mathematical skills.
(C) GMAT scores are calculated to create a bell-shaped normal Gaussian distribution, so scores are relative to others' performance.
(D) The GMAT has a severe time limit, and for many test takers, time ends before they have solved all the questions.
(E) About 60% of GMAT test-takers are American.
Re: The GMAT is written in English. However, the average score of native
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02 Feb 2023, 10:24
02 Feb 2023, 10:24
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A) This helps solve the paradox. If the GMAT tests skills such as logic and reasoning, then being a native speaker of English does not really provide any assistance.
B)Similar to A, this shows how being a native English speaker is not an advantage on the GMAT.
C) This would explain why their scores appear low - the top end is only reserved for the "best of the best", so it is normal that native English speakers occupy a relative low score.
D) Much like A and B, this also shows that being a native english speaker is not enough to perform well on the GMAT, and makes it likely that native English speakers may have low scores.
E)This does not help us to solve the paradox. So what if 60% of test takers are American? It does not tell us why the native English speakers have low scores, despite the fact that the GMAT is in English.
E is the correct answer.
B)Similar to A, this shows how being a native English speaker is not an advantage on the GMAT.
C) This would explain why their scores appear low - the top end is only reserved for the "best of the best", so it is normal that native English speakers occupy a relative low score.
D) Much like A and B, this also shows that being a native english speaker is not enough to perform well on the GMAT, and makes it likely that native English speakers may have low scores.
E)This does not help us to solve the paradox. So what if 60% of test takers are American? It does not tell us why the native English speakers have low scores, despite the fact that the GMAT is in English.
E is the correct answer.
Re: The GMAT is written in English. However, the average score of native
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04 Mar 2023, 03:30
04 Mar 2023, 03:30
Expert Reply
Official Explanation
The GMAT is written in English. However, the average score of native English speakers is below 550, which is considered a relatively low score on a scale of 200-800.
Which of the following does LEAST to resolve the above paradox?
(A) The GMAT does not test English knowledge but skills such as analytical skills and logic.
Incorrect.
This is a Paradox question, so it is made up of premises only; you need to find the one new premise which does not resolve the apparent discrepancy between the existing premises (or does the least to resolve it compared to the others):
- Premise A: the GMAT is in English
✖
Premise B: the average score of native English speakers is below 550
Resolving Premise: ?
This answer choice does resolve the paradox because as perfect as one's English may be, if one does not possess strong analytical skills and logic, one will not do well on the GMAT.
(B) The GMAT includes a quantitative section, which tests mathematical skills.
Incorrect.
This answer choice does resolve the paradox as it tells us that one section of the GMAT has little to do with English language mastery. Thus, the fact that one is a native English speaker is far from being enough to get a high score in the quantitative section, and therefore in the test as a whole.
(C) GMAT scores are calculated to create a bell-shaped normal Gaussian distribution, so scores are relative to others' performance.
Incorrect.
This answer choice does resolve the paradox as it states that scores are calculated not only on the basis of testees' performance but also on the basis of their relative scores to one another. Thus, on a scale of 200-800, The average score in case of a normal distribution is 500 - lower than 550.
(D) The GMAT has a severe time limit, and for many test takers, time ends before they have solved all the questions.
Incorrect.
This answer choice does resolve the paradox. It does so by adding a factor relevant to testees' success on the GMAT other than their mastery of the English language: speed. Thus, slow test takers, no matter how perfect their English is, will not get a high score on the GMAT because they will run out of time before seeing all the questions or will have to select answers before they have had enough time to think about the question.
(E) About 60% of GMAT test-takers are American.
This answer choice does nothing to resolve the paradox. The argument deals with native English speakers who may be British, Australian, South African, Canadian etc. The fact that 60% of the test-takers are American cannot help resolve the paradox that native English speakers don't necessarily get very high grades on the GMAT. Since the question asks for the answer choice that does LEAST to resolve the paradox, this is the correct answer.
