The majority of successful senior managers do not closely

can somone explain question 4 please?

Question 4

Here's question 4:

In the third paragraph, the author lists 5 ways in which senior managers use intuition. Senior managers:

1) "intuitively sense when a problem exists"
2) "rely on intuition to perform well-learned behavior patterns rapidly."
3) "synthesize isolated bits of data and practice into an integrated picture, often in an “Aha!” experience"
4) "use intuition as a check on the results of more rational analysis." This use of intuition is further described: "Most senior executives are familiar with the formal decision analysis models and tools, and those who use such systematic methods for reaching decisions are occasionally leery of solutions suggested by these methods which run counter to their sense of the correct course of action."
5) Finally, senior manager use intuition "to bypass in-depth analysis and move rapidly to engender a plausible solution."

To answer question 4, we can eliminate any answer choices that point to one of the uses of intuition above. The remaining answer choice is the one NOT mentioned in the passage.


This aligns nicely with 5) above, so we can eliminate (A).


Yup, this matches 1). Eliminate (B).


This is just like 3), so we can get rid of it.


Hmmm... not seeing anything about goals in the list of ways senior managers use intuition. Because this is NOT mentioned in the passage, it is the correct answer.

Let's finish by checking on (E):

This aligns with 4) in our list. Senior managers use intuition to evaluate whether solutions make sense.

Everything except (D) is listed in the passage, so (D) is the answer to question 4.

I hope that helps!

can somebody explain question 6 as well, c and d are quite close answers?

Hi there, I am not unable to understand that why in the eighth question the answer is "B" and not "C". I mean how can we say that a conventional model is rejected and an alternative is proposed while the first para seems more like a research result? Please explain.

No research is mentioned until the third paragraph. The first paragraph contains nothing related to research—no specific findings are mentioned, nor is there any citation of a researcher's name or topic of study.
So it's not C.

B, on the other hand, fits the first paragraph perfectly.
The first paragraph says:
The actions of senior managers do NOT follow X classical model. (—> dismissing a classical/conventional/established model)
Rather, their actions follow Y other thing (= intuition) instead. (—> offering a different explanation—in other words, an alternative explanation).

Let's start by reviewing the relevant line:


So the "Aha experience" is when a manager links up "isolated bits of data" to create an "integrated picture." Let's now consider (C) and (D):


Does this match up with our understanding? Well, if a manager connects "unrelated facts," this sounds a lot like linking "isolated bits of data." And if these facts are connected to create a "pattern," this seems similar to an "integrated picture." So let's hold on to (C).


This doesn't really match up. If a manager "identifies a methodology," this is a lot different than connecting "isolated bits of data." First, a methodology suggests a procedure for approaching a problem, not a piece of data. And second, we don't get anything about isolated pieces being put together. So we can get rid of (D).

That leaves us with the correct answer, (C).

I hope that helps!

GMATNinja
Thank you for this.
I was confused as to how "more efficiently" translates to "rapidly". Just because something occurs rapidly does not necessarily mean that it is more efficient, no?

Are you asking about question 1?

If so, take another look at the exact language of the question:

Here, we're looking for a statement that is supported by the passage, not something that's necessarily stated in the passage.

So, is there support for (E)?

Yup, there's lots of support for (E) in the passage. Managers' intuition "is not arbitrary or irrational, but is based on years of painstaking practice and hands-on experience that build skills." Using this intuition is more efficient because it allows managers "to bypass in-depth analysis and move rapidly to engender a plausible solution."

So even though we don't see the word "efficient" in the passage, the passage does support the statement in (E).

I hope that helps!

16 min 30 secs.. All 8 correct
Yeah definitely a passage that is longer than usual GMAT Standards.

Q1 - passage provides support for which
Ans : E - Intuition enables managers to employ their practical experience more efficiently.
Definitely support for this is provided in para no, 3 - Rather, senior managers use intuition in at least five distinct ways.


Q2 According to the passage, the classical model of decision analysis includes all of the following EXCEPT.
Its a bit difficult to find without going back and forth the passage
I was confused btwn. C and D but, D says - action undertaken in order to discover more information about a problem
No where is the bolded part mentioned.

Q3 one major difference in behavior between Manager X, and Manager Y?

(C) Manager X takes action in order to arrive at the solution to a problem; Manager Y does not.
Yeah definitely mentioned in the last para.

Q4 According to the passage, senior managers use intuition in all of the following ways EXCEPT to
All answers are in para 3

(A) speed up of the creation of a solution to a problem - Finally, managers can use intuition to bypass in-depth analysis and move rapidly to engender a plausible solution. ( Move rapidly means to speed up - Its paraphrased)

(B) identify a problem - First, they intuitively sense when a problem exists.

(C) bring together disparate facts - A third function of intuition is to synthesize isolated bits of data

(D) stipulate clear goals - Didnt see the word clear goals anywhere.

(E) evaluate possible solutions to a problem - Fourth, some managers use intuition as a check on the results of more rational analysis , this means evaluation, again its paraphrased.

Q5 The passage suggests which of the following about the “writers on management” mentioned in line 12

Ans : (D) They have misunderstood how managers use intuition in making business decisions. (Clearly mentioned in para 2)


Q6 - Aha!’ experience” - third function of intuition is to synthesize isolated bits of data and practice into an integrated picture, often in an “Aha!” experience. Pay attention to the bolded part. It means join small pictures to form a bigger picture.

Answer C : A manager suddenly connects seemingly unrelated facts and experiences to create a pattern relevant to the problem at hand. (Meaning is similar)


Q7 “thinking/acting cycles”
Answer - D

They then use the results of the action to develop a more complete understanding of the issue. - Point 2
One implication of thinking/acting cycles is that action is often part of defining the problem - Ponit 3

Both answers are paraphrased.


Q8 Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph of the passage?

(B) A conventional model is dismissed and an alternative introduced.

Para 1 - The majority (Could mean 85 or 90 %) of successful senior managers do not closely follow the classical rational. Rather, in their day-by-day tactical maneuvers, these senior executives rely on what is vaguely termed “intuition” model

1. The passage provides support for which of the following statements?
(E) Intuition enables managers to employ their practical experience more efficiently.
The passage explains that successful senior managers rely on intuition in their day-to-day tactical maneuvers. Intuition allows them to manage interrelated problems characterized by ambiguity, inconsistency, novelty, and surprise. The use of intuition is based on years of practical experience, which helps managers integrate action into the thinking process effectively.

2. According to the passage, the classical model of decision analysis includes all of the following EXCEPT:
(D) Action undertaken in order to discover more information about a problem.
The passage describes the classical rational model of decision analysis, which involves clarifying goals, assessing the problem, formulating options, estimating likelihoods of success, making a decision, and then taking action to implement the decision. However, the passage does not explicitly mention action as a part of discovering more information about a problem.

3. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following would most probably be one major difference in behavior between Manager X, who uses intuition to reach decisions, and Manager Y, who uses only formal decision analysis?
(C) Manager X takes action to arrive at the solution to a problem, while Manager Y does not.
The passage emphasizes that senior managers who rely on intuition often act first and explain later. They "know" what is right based on their intuition and practical experience, whereas managers using formal decision analysis may hesitate to implement solutions suggested by systematic methods that go against their intuition or sense of the correct course of action.

4. According to the passage, senior managers use intuition in all of the following ways EXCEPT to:
(D) Stipulate clear goals.
The passage explains that senior managers use intuition to sense the existence of a problem, rapidly perform well-learned behavior patterns, synthesize data and practice into an integrated picture, and check the results of rational analysis. However, it does not mention using intuition to stipulate clear goals.

5. The passage suggests which of the following about the "writers on management" mentioned in line 12?
(D) They have misunderstood how managers use intuition in making business decisions.
The passage states that previous writers on management have displayed a poor grasp of what intuition is. Some see it as the opposite of rationality, while others view it as an excuse for capriciousness. Therefore, it can be inferred that they have misunderstood how managers use intuition in making business decisions.

6. Which of the following best exemplifies "an 'Aha!' experience" (line 28) as it is presented in the passage?
(C) A manager suddenly connects seemingly unrelated facts and experiences to create a pattern relevant to the problem at hand.
The passage describes the "Aha!" experience as a moment of synthesis where a manager intuitively connects isolated bits of data and practice into an integrated picture. It involves recognizing familiar patterns and creating a pattern relevant to the problem at hand by bringing together seemingly unrelated facts and experiences.

7. It can be inferred from the passage that "thinking/acting cycles" (line 45) in managerial practice would likely result in which of the following?
(D) II and III only
The passage states that managers often act first and explain later, and action is part of defining the problem, not just implementing the solution. This implies that managers gather data by acting and observing the effects of action (II) and take action without being able to articulate reasons for that particular action (III).

8. Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph of the passage?
(B) A conventional model is dismissed and an alternative introduced.
The first paragraph of the passage introduces the classical

In Q.7, How is III (A manager takes action without being able to articulate reasons for that particular action.) correct? If it's correct, why is this answer incorrect in Q.1 (The option is Managers cannot justify their intuitive decisions.)

Fun question! According to the third paragraph, the intuitive style makes "thinking inseparable from acting." This is what line 45 is referring to when it describes "think/acting cycles." Reading on, we learn than managers frequently "act first and explain later."

Let's now consider Q7:


Notice this is specifically asking us to consider the phrase "think/acting cycles." We know that this phrase refers to a situation where thinking and acting are inseparable, and where managers often "act first and explain later." This rules out the statement above. Because in the "think/acting cycles," the managers do not analyze first and THEN act. The acting and analyzing are mixed together. So much so that managers sometimes act BEFORE explaining their action.

Let's now take a look at Q1:


Given what we said about thinking/acting cycles, why is (B) wrong?

Well, notice that the "thinking/acting cycle" doesn't mean that managers cannot justify their intuitive decisions. Remember, the passage tells us that managers often "act first and explain later." And if they can "explain later," that suggests they are eventually able to justify their decisions, even if they didn't analyze much to begin with.

So even if managers act without analyzing sometimes, that doesn't mean they CAN'T justify their decisions in the end. For that reason, (B) is wrong.

I hope that helps!

Can anyone help me with the explanation of question number 8?

 

­You can check soluition of that question in the posts below:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-majority ... l#p2546194
https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-majority ... l#p3060585

Hope it helps.

­i found it difficult to understand the answer of 7th question how did III point is correct .. please any one can explain 


also , in question no 6th the answer marked is option C i was also thinking it to be option c but there is written " unrelated facts" which made me think that option d might be right .. please explain