Unlike the Miller Analogies Test, which follows a standardized format,

Question

Unlike the Miller Analogies Test, which follows a standardized format,  the formats for IQ tests vary considerably in both content and length.

A. the formats for IQ tests vary considerably in both content and length. 
B. the format for an IQ test varies considerably in both content and length. 
C. an IQ test follows a format that varies considerably in both content and length. 
D. an IQ test follows formats that vary considerably in both content and length. 
E. IQ tests follow formats that vary considerably in both content and length.

aragonn · Accepted Answer

Official Explanation: 
Answer - Choice E 
Classification: Comparisons 
Snapshot: This problem is included as an “oddball” to demonstrate that we do not always compare a singular item with a singular item or a plural item with a plural item (for example, Miller Analogies Test versus IQ tests). In context, a situation may necessitate comparing a singular item with a plural item or vice versa. Here the “apples to apples, oranges to oranges” comparison involves comparing one type of test to another type of test while comparing the format of one such test to the formats of another type of test. Choices A and B erroneously compare “the Miller Analogies Test” with “the formats …” We want to compare “one exam” to “another exam,” or “the format of one exam” to the “format of another exam,” or “the formats of some exams” to the “formats of other exams.” Although choice C looks like the winning answer, upon closer examination, we realize that a single format cannot itself vary considerably in terms of content and length. Choice D correctly employs “formats,” but now the problem reverses itself: A single IQ test does not have “formats.” Choice E correctly combines “IQ tests” in the plural with “formats” in the plural. Here’s a follow-up example in mirror image to the problem at hand:

Incorrect: Unlike Canadian football, which is played on a standardized field, American baseball is played on a field that varies considerably in shape and size. 
Correct: Unlike Canadian football, which is played on a standardized field, American baseball is played on fields that vary considerably in shape and size.

surendrasaini1 · Answer

Unlike the Miller Analogies Test, which follows a standardized format,  the formats for IQ tests vary considerably in both content and length.

A. the formats for IQ tests vary considerably in both content and length.(to maintain the parallelism, unlike X,Y construction to be maintained)
B. the format for an IQ test varies considerably in both content and length.(same as in A)
C. an IQ test follows a format that varies considerably in both content and length.(correct )
D. an IQ test follows formats that vary considerably in both content and length.(meaning suggests that there are different formats and these formats differ considerably in both content and length)
E. IQ tests follow formats that vary considerably in both content and length.(article is required to maintain parallelism)

I will go with choice C

Thanks

rahul6019 · Answer

Yes, it should be C. A test can have only one format and we need an article before IQ.

vaibhav1221 · Answer

Should be C.

Unlike the Miller Analogies Test, which follows a standardized  format ,  the formats for IQ tests vary considerably in both content and length.

A. the formats for IQ tests vary considerably in both content and length.  Wrong comparison -> Test - Formats 
B. the format for an IQ test varies considerably in both content and length.  Wrong comparison -> Test - Format 
C. an IQ test follows a format that varies considerably in both content and length.  CORRECT 
D. an IQ test follows  formats  that vary considerably in both content and length.  There is only one format for a test, changes meaning. 
E. IQ tests follow formats that vary considerably in both content and length.  Parallelism error. We need an article before IQ.

elavendan1 · Answer

The only reason I eliminated E is that, "formats" is plural and it should be followed by a plural pronoun ( those ). Am I getting it wrong or where am I missing? Obviously, restrictive pronoun modifies "formats". Can anyone help me with this?

nitesh50 · Answer

Hi  aragonn 
I could understand the logic related to format/formats.
But, I cannot understand why we need to compare a particular type of test to various tests?
It is totally logical to have various formats for a particular exam.
For instance: An Iq test can evaluate someone's ability either through a oral examination or through a written examination.

Looking forward to hear you thoughts on this!

Regards
Nitesh

prabugmat · Answer

Verbal experts, Can anyone explain why C is incorrect and E is correct?

josico111 · Answer

Surprised to see low success rate on this question. I thought it was an easy one.

We can not compare the formats of the test with the test itself. A & B are gone.

D is also flawed in that an IQ test can follow only a format, not more than one format.

In addition to that, A single IQ test's format can not vary in itself. A single IQ test has a single format. To vary in content and length, we need more than one format, hence more than one test. C and D are gone.

E is correct.

Sidharth8 · Answer

A and B both have the issue that//ism is not maintained. It needs to follow the format of Unlike -, --
C is correct
D changes the meaning, suggesting that there different formats that vary..
E has another //ism problem

Debkumar94 · Answer

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with option C.

akritigpi46 · Answer

Why C is wrong.

The format of an IQ test can vary both in content and length (different syllabus and no. of questions) compared to a format of a standardized test.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  akritigpi46 ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, in this question Option E is superior to C because the sentence is meant to compare "the Miller Analogies Test" with IQ tests, in general, so it is more appropriate to use the plural noun "IQ tests" than to use use the singular "an IQ test", as the plural better conveys the intended meaning.

However, real GMAT questions are unlikely to test meaning at such a granular level, so do not spend too much time on this question.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

talwarmeister · Answer

The option C is wrong because :

an IQ test follows  a format that varies considerably in both content and length.   How can a format (singular) vary in both content and length. To me sentence does not make sense.

E clearly tells you that there are multiple formats for IQ tests and those formats can vary in content and length (instead of following the a standardized format). E is correct.

Unlike the Miller Analogies Test, which follows a standardized format,

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