Last visit was: 02 Sep 2026, 15:38

It is currently 02 Sep 2026, 15:38

Toolkit

Practice Tests

Critical Reasoning (CR)

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Aug 27
BIG NEWS! We’ve been nominated, and we’d love your vote!
10:00 AM EDT
-
11:00 AM EDT
We’ve worked incredibly hard to build TTP into the best test prep experience possible, and it would mean a lot to us to win Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep. If TTP has helped you, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote.
Sep 02
Save on All Magoosh Study Plans
01:00 PM EDT
-
11:59 PM EDT
Take 30% off all study plans with code COURSEWORK - Expires on Monday 9/7
Sep 04
How to Manage GMAT Test Anxiety Like an Elite Performer
10:00 AM PDT
-
11:00 AM PDT
What does test anxiety really look like on the GMAT? For many test takers, it does not look like a panic attack. Instead, it shows up as brain fog, rereading, negative comparisons, mental noise....
Sep 06
Live Online Class with Top EA Expert Logan Thompson
09:30 AM EDT
-
12:30 PM EST
Top scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful EA course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Perfect class schedule and easy course access for working professionals. Class starts Sundays Sept. 6, 2026.
Sep 07
All GMAT Club Tests are free and open for Labor Day on Monday, September 7th!
12:01 AM PDT
-
11:59 PM PDT
On the 7th, GMAT Club Tests will be Free! Including all the Quizzes, Questions, and Tests. 12 AM - 11:59 PM PDT
Sep 09
Masters' Spotlight Fair
07:00 AM PDT
-
10:00 AM PDT
Meet AdComs and explore top Master’s programs - MiM, MiF, MSc, MSBA and more. - Application Fee Waivers - Free 1-Week of GMAT Club Tests: - Master's Application Toolkit - Grand Prize Giveaway
Sep 15
Live Online Class with Top GMAT Expert Rich Zwelling
07:00 PM EDT
-
09:00 PM EST
Elite scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful GMAT course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Tues/Thurs Sept. 15, 2026 - Nov. 15, 2027, 7:00pm-9:00pm EST
Sep 21
Live Online Bootcamp Class with Top GMAT Expert Chris Peckover
08:00 PM EDT
-
10:00 PM EDT
Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri Sept. 21, 2026 - Oct. 9, 2027, 7:00pm-10:00pm EST

Back to Forum

Create Topic

GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 1): School Board Member: A recent study

1 2 3 4 5 6

ga821

Joined: 06 Jun 2021

Last visit: 01 Sep 2026

Posts: 58

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 74

Products:

Posts: 58

Kudos: 33

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 12:37

Kudos

Bookmarks

Logic given -> Due to chess marks in math is increasing, thus avg will increase and support will rise and to maintain this support we should make this compulsory for everyone.
Answer -> it could be people are good in maths hence they're performing well in chess ; hence this won't automatically benefit all and get the averages up

A : NA, doesn't talk about x leads to y
B : does talk about x leading to y but doesn't mention making it compulsory for everyone
C : NA, doesn't talk about x leads to y
D : yes, it talks about assuming x leads to y meanwhile it could also be y leads to x, and assumes making it compulsory will get the burden universally down.
E : NA, just mentions a simple rule.

Answer : D

GulfTube

Joined: 13 Apr 2026

Last visit: 17 Aug 2026

Posts: 210

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 77

Posts: 210

Kudos: 70

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 12:41

Kudos

Bookmarks

The flaw in argument is taking correlation as causation.

B and D follow similar chain of reasoning. D states 'should' in conclusion which is more in line with original conclusion compared to B which uses less strict language 'very likely'.

Answer is D.

FreshStove

Joined: 22 Jun 2026

Last visit: 09 Jul 2026

Posts: 31

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 63

Location: India

Schools: ISB

GPA: 9.14

Schools: ISB

Posts: 31

Kudos: 8

06 Jul 2026, 12:55

Kudos

Bookmarks

Have confusion between B and D, since B still makes sense, compared to D which also includes a flaw similar to the questioning one.

RS2302

Joined: 08 Nov 2023

Last visit: 16 Aug 2026

Posts: 16

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 5

Location: India

Posts: 16

Kudos: 11

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 14:53

Kudos

Bookmarks

The correct answer is D.

Because in both the main passage as well as option D. There is first an evidence and the causation is assumed without any consideration to other factors. And finally the solution is forced on everyone without concrete reasoning.

Dipanshi_25

Joined: 19 May 2024

Last visit: 01 Sep 2026

Posts: 3

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 57

Location: India

Products:

Posts: 3

Kudos: 1

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 15:01

Kudos

Bookmarks

D looks like the best choice - devised as per the CR passage, ignores other causes for a heart failure

AthaniX

Joined: 21 Jun 2026

Last visit: 02 Sep 2026

Posts: 33

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 2

Products:

Posts: 33

Kudos: 27

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 17:33

Kudos

Bookmarks

The correct answer is D
This logic resonates with D, stating voluntary activity like chess/marathons correlates with "a poisitve outcome". They incorrectly conclude that mandating it for entire population will be replicate the same effect.

Bunuel

School Board Member: A recent study of high school students in our district found that those who participate in the district's after-school chess program scored significantly higher on the State-mandated Essential Skills in Mathematics (ESM) exam than those who do not. District-wide improvements in average ESM scores are vital to retain public support for the district and to increase the competitiveness of our graduates in the job market. Therefore, the district should mandate participation in the chess program for all high school students.

Which of the following arguments exhibits a flaw similar to the flaw in the reasoning above?

(A) Financial Regulator: Any bank in our country that handles international wire transfers on behalf of their clients must comply with regulations mandating strict data encryption protocols. Meridian National Bank does not currently have the technical ability to encrypt customer data during wire transfers. Therefore, Meridian National Bank cannot legally provide international wire transfers to their customers.

(B) Tech Journalist: Industry surveys indicate that tech startups that secure venture capital funding within their first year have significantly higher survival rates than startups that do not secure funding in their first year. High survival rates are vital to maintaining a robust innovation sector and driving job growth. Therefore, any tech startup that secures venture capital funding in its first year is very likely to survive.

(C) Agricultural Advisor: A recent agricultural study found no evidence of crop failure among organic farms that utilized a new predatory wasp species for pest control. Eliminating crop failure is vital to stabilizing food prices and ensuring national food security. Therefore, commercial farming operations can completely eliminate the risk of crop failure by adopting this pest control method.

(D) Physician: National health data indicates that adults who run in at least one marathon per year have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those who do not. Reducing heart disease is vital because it is a leading cause of death, and its treatment places a massive burden on the healthcare system. Therefore, the government should require all citizens to annually participate in a marathon.

(E) Vice Principal: At our school, students who want to enroll in calculus must first take pre-calculus, because the principles taught in pre-calculus help prepare students for the more advanced topics taught in calculus. Therefore, any student who has not taken pre-calculus, here or elsewhere, will not be permitted to enroll in calculus.

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win $30,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.

chan992

Joined: 21 May 2020

Last visit: 19 Jul 2026

Posts: 13

Own Kudos:

[1]

Posts: 13

Kudos: 10

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 18:19

Kudos

Bookmarks

answer : (d). It relates the question in that there is a mistake in understanding of relationship and causal relationship.

Amity007

Joined: 12 Sep 2025

Last visit: 02 Sep 2026

Posts: 266

Own Kudos:

490

[1]

Given Kudos: 1,849

Location: India

Schools: ISB

Products:

Schools: ISB

Posts: 266

Kudos: 490

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 18:21

Kudos

Bookmarks

Study indicates => chess -->improves -->ESM score And ESM score is important for another activity like competitiveness in job market.
And thats why district should mandate the first activity.
Similarly if we consider D
Study indicates => 1 marathon --> improves --> rate or heart attacks And improvement in such rate is important for healthcare system(another activity) And thats why govt should mandate the first activity.
So answer would be D.

Bunuel

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win $30,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.

amansoni5

Joined: 16 Nov 2021

Last visit: 02 Sep 2026

Posts: 94

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 218

Posts: 94

Kudos: 64

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 19:19

Kudos

Bookmarks

The argument assumes that because chess participation is associated with high math scores, requiring everyone to play chess will improve scores (correlation not equal causation)
(D) mirrors this exactly: people who run marathons have lower heart disease rates, so the gov should require everyone to run a marathon.

AngelUPENN

Joined: 17 Jun 2026

Last visit: 25 Jul 2026

Posts: 36

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 1

Products:

Posts: 36

Kudos: 29

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 20:00

Kudos

Bookmarks

The answer is D: correlation among self-selected volunteers -> wrongly used to justify mandating the activity for the whole population

Bunuel

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win $30,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.

HarishChaitanya

Joined: 05 Feb 2024

Last visit: 02 Sep 2026

Posts: 56

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 17

Products:

Posts: 56

Kudos: 21

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 20:21

Kudos

Bookmarks

Statement says, activity itself causes desirable outcome : Participate in Chess tends to score high in ESM and then says District to mandate this participation for all students

The option D comes with similar style of statement which says Participants in Marathon tends to have lower rate of heart disease and Government to mandate marathon participation

hence answer is D

Bunuel

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win $30,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.

SRIVISHUDDHA22

Joined: 08 Jan 2025

Last visit: 19 Aug 2026

Posts: 120

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 371

Location: India

Schools: ISB '26

GPA: 9

Products:

Schools: ISB '26

Posts: 120

Kudos: 80

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 20:56

Kudos

Bookmarks

The argument says that chess classes worked out for few students and helped them get high scores in ESM exam . Because it worked for few students the argument is mandating it for rest population . Flaw is just because it worked for a set of students need not work for the entire lot .

A - this does not parallel the same flaw .it says something is not happening because its lacking the technical ability to do it - no sign of mandating something that worked for a group. Incorrect.
B- Compares 2 groups those who got funding within one year of starting and those who did not get but the argument does not mandate the group to follow the success strategy of the one that got the funding. Incorrect
C - Again just suggesting to adopt pest control that works for farm and ensures crop security no where there is any mandating. Incorrect

D - This shows similar pattern all those who ran marathon at least once has a better health therefore mandating everyone to run a marathon is similar to our main argument. Correct

E- This is not showing similar pattern. Incorrect.

Bunuel

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win $30,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.

redandme21

Joined: 14 Dec 2025

Last visit: 01 Aug 2026

Posts: 157

Own Kudos:

144

[1]

Posts: 157

Kudos: 144

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 21:07

Kudos

Bookmarks

The reasoning is flawed because it treats a correlation as if it establishes causation. The study only shows that chess participants score higher, it does not prove that participating in chess causes higher math scores. Furthermore the argument goes one step further and recommends making the activity mandatory, assuming that forcing everyone to participate will produce the same benefit.

A There is no confusion between correlation and causation.

B Tempting. Although it also relies on an observed association, it does not recommend a policy or require everyone to obtain venture capital. It simply makes a prediction, so it is not the same flaw.

C The flaw is an overgeneralization, not confusing correlation with causation in order to justify a mandatory policy.

D Correct. Like the original, it assumes the observed relationship is causal, and uses that assumption to justify requiring everyone to engage in the activity.

E There is no misuse of statistical evidence or causal reasoning.

IMO D

geocircle

Joined: 14 Dec 2025

Last visit: 27 Jul 2026

Posts: 150

Own Kudos:

143

Posts: 150

Kudos: 143

06 Jul 2026, 21:16

Kudos

Bookmarks

The flaw: confusing correlation with causation and then using that to justify a blanket requirement.

A This is a deductive rule application. No correlation/causation issue.

B This is a probabilistic inference from correlation, but it does not mandate anything for everyone.

C The flaw here is: absence of evidence is treated as evidence of absence, plus overclaiming certainty. It's not the correlation–causation and mandate flaw.

D Right answer. Correlation: marathon runners have lower heart disease. It concludes that running causes lower heart disease. It exactly matches the original flaw.

E This is a prerequisite rule. There is no correlation/causation error.

Answer D

alamin8

Joined: 24 May 2025

Last visit: 29 Aug 2026

Posts: 181

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 32

Location: Bangladesh

Concentration: Accounting, Technology

Schools: HEC Sept '27 INSEAD Aug '27 UNC '27

GPA: 3.89

Schools: HEC Sept '27 INSEAD Aug '27 UNC '27

Posts: 181

Kudos: 79

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 22:39

Kudos

Bookmarks

I chose D solely based on the parallel of the stimulus and the answer choice.
In the stimulus, it said "madate chess for ALL ", whereas in the argument, it said, "ALL citizens to participate in a marathon."
Also, "Who participated in the chess program" is parallel with "Who run marathon," suggesting those are voluntary purposes.

chasing725

Joined: 22 Jun 2025

Last visit: 16 Aug 2026

Posts: 241

Own Kudos:

235

[1]

Given Kudos: 6

Location: United States (OR)

Schools: Stanford

Posts: 241

Kudos: 235

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 22:59

Kudos

Bookmarks

Bunuel

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win $30,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.

In the main argument, the author assumes that the reason for the higher ESM is because the students participate in the district's after school chess program. It assumes that there is no reverse causality, that students who have high ESM are more inclined in participating in chess. We have to find an argument which has similar flaw.

A. The last part of the passage doesn't follow the same flow as in the main argument. Hence, we can eliminate A.

B. While this is a close option, the last sentence merely repeats what's already presented in the first part of the passage. It doesn't mandate the way the original passage does.

C. Like A, the last part of the passage draws an incorrect relation. Hence we can eliminate C.

D. This is most similar. The physician, like the school board member draws an incorrect conclusion that lower heart disease is caused by participating in the marathon and hence mandates marathon for all citizens. Keep D.

E. The structure of the passage is not similar to that of the original one. Eliminate E.

Option D

akvirginkar

Joined: 03 Jul 2026

Last visit: 02 Sep 2026

Posts: 9

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 37

Products:

Posts: 9

Kudos: 6

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 23:08

Kudos

Bookmarks

I believe that the flaw is reverse causality. Students enrolled in after-school chess may be better at Mathematics in the first place, leading mandatory participation in the chess program to be unsuccessful. Amongst the options, only option D seems to exhibit the same error: those participating in the marathon may inherently have better cardiovascular health, making mandatory participation potentially unsuccessful.

Bunuel

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win $30,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.

topgmat25

Joined: 15 Dec 2025

Last visit: 27 Jul 2026

Posts: 150

Own Kudos:

139

Posts: 150

Kudos: 139

06 Jul 2026, 23:13

Kudos

Bookmarks

The fact that students who choose to participate in the chess program score higher in math does not mean chess causes them to be better at math. It is highly likely that students who are already naturally gifted at math are drawn to chess. Mandating chess for everyone will not automatically raise the district's test scores.

A This is a valid deduction. There is no flawed causal reasoning or inappropriate mandate here.

B Incorrect because it does not suggest a universal policy mandate based on a self-selected group.

C It focuses on the technical effectiveness of a pest control method rather than the specific correlation versus causation mandate fallacy.

D It follows the exact same structure: taking a positive trait from a self-selected group and mistakenly turning it into a universal mandate. Correct answer.

E This is simply a straightforward application of a school prerequisite policy.

The answer is D

firefox300

Joined: 15 Dec 2025

Last visit: 27 Jul 2026

Posts: 151

Own Kudos:

140

Posts: 151

Kudos: 140

06 Jul 2026, 23:20

Kudos

Bookmarks

The key flaw is that it treats a correlation as sufficient justification for a universal mandate. The study shows an association, but it does not establish that playing chess causes higher math scores, or forcing all students to participate would produce the same effect.

A It correctly applies an existing legal rule but it isn't reasoning from a correlation.

B It concludes that startups receiving early venture capital are likely to survive. While it may overstate predictive power, it does not jump to a policy mandate.

C It mistakenly infers that because a study found no evidence of crop failure, the method completely eliminates risk.

D CORRECT. It assumes that because one group with a desirable outcome engages in a certain activity, everyone should be compelled to do that activity, without establishing that the activity itself causes the outcome or that a mandate would achieve it.

E It simply applies a prerequisite policy but it doesn't rely on correlational evidence.

The correct answer is D

JW555

Joined: 05 Jul 2026

Last visit: 19 Aug 2026

Posts: 28

Own Kudos:

[1]

Products:

Posts: 28

Kudos: 20

[1]

06 Jul 2026, 23:34

Kudos

Bookmarks

The flaw is correlation doesn't mean causation. Just because the students scored well on the math exam and also enrolled in the chess club, doesn't mean being a part of the club raises your maths skills. It could be true that good mathematicians prefer chess, or that good mathematicians are told by their teachers that chess is vital to sharpening their thinking skills.

(A) isn't flawed. Denying the necessary condition denies the sufficient one as well.
(B) is flawed differently. We don't know how often tech companies survive. They can usually survive 1% of the time and surviving more often could be 30%, but still below 50%, so the conclusion doesn't follow.
(C) is close, but not credited imo, because it talks of absolutes: no evidence, no crop failure and not likelihoods, like the question stem. Here, the method guarantees the result and doesn't contribute a lot to it.
(D) This is the answer I picked. Here we have a correlation that's turned into causation. Probabilities turned into certainty.
(E) is a valid just like A.

Bunuel

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win $30,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.