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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
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20 Nov 2016, 21:49

CR Crushery: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions



- by EmpowerGMAT

The 3 Main Assumptions


People like patterns because they bring order to chaos. There’s a shocking pattern that underlies 75% of CR, and it’s one of the most powerful hacks on the entire GMAT:
 
CR arguments ALWAYS make at least one of 3 assumptions. Knowing and being able to detect those assumptions will enable you to forecast the what the right option will do.
 

What the heck is an assumption anyway?



An assumption is information that an arguer takes for granted. The assumed information NEEDS to be true for the argument to work.
 
For example, think of a business plan. Business plans will make a revenue, and profitability projection, but certain assumptions are required for those projections to be accepted, such as demand, marketing, distribution, etc. Those assumptions are always itemized at the back of a business plan. If those assumptions turn out to be inaccurate/unrealistic, the business plan is rendered worthless.
 
Interestingly enough, perhaps that’s why one of the world’s most successful venture capitalist has the following advice to offer:
“We start at the back…[then] we look at the front to see what kind of business it is.”
—Tom Perkins, Co-Founder of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
 

So what are the 3 GMAT CR assumptions that can be used to hack 75% of CR?

 
1. Relevance - The group or evidence presented is actually relevant to the conclusion.
2. Success - The outcome is likely.
3. No Other Factors - There were no other factors that led to the result.
 

Let’s take a look at an example:

The Cumquat Café began advertising on our local radio station this year and was delighted to see its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. Their success shows you how you can use radio advertising to make your business more profitable.
 
1. Relevance
The argument concludes that your business can use radio advertising to boost profit since the Cumquat Café did.
 
Does the argument assume that the evidence is relevant to the conclusion? Blatantly. This argument assumes that what's true of Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general. This whole argument hinges on that. If it weren't true that what was the case for Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general, then this argument would collapse.
 
2. Success
This argument also assumes higher profitability from radio advertising is likely. Do you see any proof to believe that's the case? No it's completely assumed.
 
3. No Other Factors
Does this argument ignore other possible factors that could have led to Cumquat’s increase in profit? Yes.
 
This reasoning makes the crazy assumption that there weren't other possible factors that could have caused the increase, such as better food, service, or even TV advertising for example. Maybe Cumquat Cafe got a feature write up in the local newspaper.
 
You detect a major assumption, then what?
By detecting an assumption, you are prepared to answer the question. For example, if you have a strengthen question, look for the option that makes the assumption more likely to be true, and vice versa for Weaken. Take a look at any CR question, and you are going to be shocked by how powerful this framework is. Try it after you finish reading this article.
 

Conclusion


In addition to training to read at 150 WPM (a core component of EMPOWERgmat’s Verbal tactical program), you need to know the 3 major assumptions, and you have to know them well enough so that you can instantly detect them. At that point, prepared to be amazed at how straightforward CR questions are.

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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
Post URL
30 Nov 2016, 00:30
souvik101990

CR Crushery: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions



- by EmpowerGMAT

The 3 Main Assumptions


People like patterns because they bring order to chaos. There’s a shocking pattern that underlies 75% of CR, and it’s one of the most powerful hacks on the entire GMAT:
 
CR arguments ALWAYS make at least one of 3 assumptions. Knowing and being able to detect those assumptions will enable you to forecast the what the right option will do.
 

What the heck is an assumption anyway?



An assumption is information that an arguer takes for granted. The assumed information NEEDS to be true for the argument to work.
 
For example, think of a business plan. Business plans will make a revenue, and profitability projection, but certain assumptions are required for those projections to be accepted, such as demand, marketing, distribution, etc. Those assumptions are always itemized at the back of a business plan. If those assumptions turn out to be inaccurate/unrealistic, the business plan is rendered worthless.
 
Interestingly enough, perhaps that’s why one of the world’s most successful venture capitalist has the following advice to offer:
“We start at the back…[then] we look at the front to see what kind of business it is.”
—Tom Perkins, Co-Founder of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
 

So what are the 3 GMAT CR assumptions that can be used to hack 75% of CR?

 
1. Relevance - The group or evidence presented is actually relevant to the conclusion.
2. Success - The outcome is likely.
3. No Other Factors - There were no other factors that led to the result.
 

Let’s take a look at an example:

The Cumquat Café began advertising on our local radio station this year and was delighted to see its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. Their success shows you how you can use radio advertising to make your business more profitable.
 
1. Relevance
The argument concludes that your business can use radio advertising to boost profit since the Cumquat Café did.
 
Does the argument assume that the evidence is relevant to the conclusion? Blatantly. This argument assumes that what's true of Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general. This whole argument hinges on that. If it weren't true that what was the case for Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general, then this argument would collapse.
 
2. Success
This argument also assumes higher profitability from radio advertising is likely. Do you see any proof to believe that's the case? No it's completely assumed.
 
3. No Other Factors
Does this argument ignore other possible factors that could have led to Cumquat’s increase in profit? Yes.
 
This reasoning makes the crazy assumption that there weren't other possible factors that could have caused the increase, such as better food, service, or even TV advertising for example. Maybe Cumquat Cafe got a feature write up in the local newspaper.
 
You detect a major assumption, then what?
By detecting an assumption, you are prepared to answer the question. For example, if you have a strengthen question, look for the option that makes the assumption more likely to be true, and vice versa for Weaken. Take a look at any CR question, and you are going to be shocked by how powerful this framework is. Try it after you finish reading this article.
 

Conclusion


In addition to training to read at 150 WPM (a core component of EMPOWERgmat’s Verbal tactical program), you need to know the 3 major assumptions, and you have to know them well enough so that you can instantly detect them. At that point, prepared to be amazed at how straightforward CR questions are.
Show more

Could you talk more about EMPOWERgmat’s Verbal tactical program or give link if it is already published. I am very curious about 150WPM issue, if it really that effective I want to try it :-D

By the way great post :cool


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saumyasharma
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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
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24 Nov 2016, 23:07
Interesting hack.

My takeaway here is, for example I am not able to think quickly of an assumption/unstated premise in the argument, this template can help me, as in I know that in 75% of the cases the assumption will fall into either of these three categories.

1.) Relevance: Something makes an impact on the conclusion
2.) Success: Something is necessary for the success of the conclusion
3.) No other factors: Nothing else apart from this will make an impact of the conclusion.

Please correct me if I havent understood correctly.

Thanks
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zet
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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
Post URL
24 Nov 2016, 11:14
souvik101990

CR Crushery: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions



- by EmpowerGMAT

The 3 Main Assumptions


People like patterns because they bring order to chaos. There’s a shocking pattern that underlies 75% of CR, and it’s one of the most powerful hacks on the entire GMAT:
 
CR arguments ALWAYS make at least one of 3 assumptions. Knowing and being able to detect those assumptions will enable you to forecast the what the right option will do.
 

What the heck is an assumption anyway?



An assumption is information that an arguer takes for granted. The assumed information NEEDS to be true for the argument to work.
 
For example, think of a business plan. Business plans will make a revenue, and profitability projection, but certain assumptions are required for those projections to be accepted, such as demand, marketing, distribution, etc. Those assumptions are always itemized at the back of a business plan. If those assumptions turn out to be inaccurate/unrealistic, the business plan is rendered worthless.
 
Interestingly enough, perhaps that’s why one of the world’s most successful venture capitalist has the following advice to offer:
“We start at the back…[then] we look at the front to see what kind of business it is.”
—Tom Perkins, Co-Founder of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
 

So what are the 3 GMAT CR assumptions that can be used to hack 75% of CR?

 
1. Relevance - The group or evidence presented is actually relevant to the conclusion.
2. Success - The outcome is likely.
3. No Other Factors - There were no other factors that led to the result.
 

Let’s take a look at an example:

The Cumquat Café began advertising on our local radio station this year and was delighted to see its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. Their success shows you how you can use radio advertising to make your business more profitable.
 
1. Relevance
The argument concludes that your business can use radio advertising to boost profit since the Cumquat Café did.
 
Does the argument assume that the evidence is relevant to the conclusion? Blatantly. This argument assumes that what's true of Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general. This whole argument hinges on that. If it weren't true that what was the case for Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general, then this argument would collapse.
 
2. Success
This argument also assumes higher profitability from radio advertising is likely. Do you see any proof to believe that's the case? No it's completely assumed.
 
3. No Other Factors
Does this argument ignore other possible factors that could have led to Cumquat’s increase in profit? Yes.
 
This reasoning makes the crazy assumption that there weren't other possible factors that could have caused the increase, such as better food, service, or even TV advertising for example. Maybe Cumquat Cafe got a feature write up in the local newspaper.
 
You detect a major assumption, then what?
By detecting an assumption, you are prepared to answer the question. For example, if you have a strengthen question, look for the option that makes the assumption more likely to be true, and vice versa for Weaken. Take a look at any CR question, and you are going to be shocked by how powerful this framework is. Try it after you finish reading this article.
 

Conclusion


In addition to training to read at 150 WPM (a core component of EMPOWERgmat’s Verbal tactical program), you need to know the 3 major assumptions, and you have to know them well enough so that you can instantly detect them. At that point, prepared to be amazed at how straightforward CR questions are.
Show more

Great Info! Thanks

What is 150 WPM? Could you tell about this also?

Bests
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zet
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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
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24 Nov 2016, 12:49
souvik101990
WPM = words per minute.


Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
Show more

Ok, understood

Could you tell more about the technique for fast reading?
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AG89
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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
Post URL
28 Nov 2016, 05:58
Thanks, its a helpful framework. Will try using it in the CR questions.
This framework would also work very well for the AWA section.
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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
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16 Dec 2016, 13:16
souvik101990

CR Crushery: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions



- by EmpowerGMAT

The 3 Main Assumptions


People like patterns because they bring order to chaos. There’s a shocking pattern that underlies 75% of CR, and it’s one of the most powerful hacks on the entire GMAT:
 
CR arguments ALWAYS make at least one of 3 assumptions. Knowing and being able to detect those assumptions will enable you to forecast the what the right option will do.
 

What the heck is an assumption anyway?



An assumption is information that an arguer takes for granted. The assumed information NEEDS to be true for the argument to work.
 
For example, think of a business plan. Business plans will make a revenue, and profitability projection, but certain assumptions are required for those projections to be accepted, such as demand, marketing, distribution, etc. Those assumptions are always itemized at the back of a business plan. If those assumptions turn out to be inaccurate/unrealistic, the business plan is rendered worthless.
 
Interestingly enough, perhaps that’s why one of the world’s most successful venture capitalist has the following advice to offer:
“We start at the back…[then] we look at the front to see what kind of business it is.”
—Tom Perkins, Co-Founder of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
 

So what are the 3 GMAT CR assumptions that can be used to hack 75% of CR?

 
1. Relevance - The group or evidence presented is actually relevant to the conclusion.
2. Success - The outcome is likely.
3. No Other Factors - There were no other factors that led to the result.
 

Let’s take a look at an example:

The Cumquat Café began advertising on our local radio station this year and was delighted to see its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. Their success shows you how you can use radio advertising to make your business more profitable.
 
1. Relevance
The argument concludes that your business can use radio advertising to boost profit since the Cumquat Café did.
 
Does the argument assume that the evidence is relevant to the conclusion? Blatantly. This argument assumes that what's true of Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general. This whole argument hinges on that. If it weren't true that what was the case for Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general, then this argument would collapse.
 
2. Success
This argument also assumes higher profitability from radio advertising is likely. Do you see any proof to believe that's the case? No it's completely assumed.
 
3. No Other Factors
Does this argument ignore other possible factors that could have led to Cumquat’s increase in profit? Yes.
 
This reasoning makes the crazy assumption that there weren't other possible factors that could have caused the increase, such as better food, service, or even TV advertising for example. Maybe Cumquat Cafe got a feature write up in the local newspaper.
 
You detect a major assumption, then what?
By detecting an assumption, you are prepared to answer the question. For example, if you have a strengthen question, look for the option that makes the assumption more likely to be true, and vice versa for Weaken. Take a look at any CR question, and you are going to be shocked by how powerful this framework is. Try it after you finish reading this article.
 

Conclusion


In addition to training to read at 150 WPM (a core component of EMPOWERgmat’s Verbal tactical program), you need to know the 3 major assumptions, and you have to know them well enough so that you can instantly detect them. At that point, prepared to be amazed at how straightforward CR questions are.
Show more

Well written stuff... Thanks a lot
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TejasMarella
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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
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28 Mar 2018, 21:32
How can we extend this theory for CR questions other strengthen and weaken?
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DhruvPatelD10
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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
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29 Mar 2018, 20:48
souvik101990

CR Crushery: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions



- by EmpowerGMAT

The 3 Main Assumptions


People like patterns because they bring order to chaos. There’s a shocking pattern that underlies 75% of CR, and it’s one of the most powerful hacks on the entire GMAT:
 
CR arguments ALWAYS make at least one of 3 assumptions. Knowing and being able to detect those assumptions will enable you to forecast the what the right option will do.
 

What the heck is an assumption anyway?



An assumption is information that an arguer takes for granted. The assumed information NEEDS to be true for the argument to work.
 
For example, think of a business plan. Business plans will make a revenue, and profitability projection, but certain assumptions are required for those projections to be accepted, such as demand, marketing, distribution, etc. Those assumptions are always itemized at the back of a business plan. If those assumptions turn out to be inaccurate/unrealistic, the business plan is rendered worthless.
 
Interestingly enough, perhaps that’s why one of the world’s most successful venture capitalist has the following advice to offer:
“We start at the back…[then] we look at the front to see what kind of business it is.”
—Tom Perkins, Co-Founder of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
 

So what are the 3 GMAT CR assumptions that can be used to hack 75% of CR?

 
1. Relevance - The group or evidence presented is actually relevant to the conclusion.
2. Success - The outcome is likely.
3. No Other Factors - There were no other factors that led to the result.
 

Let’s take a look at an example:

The Cumquat Café began advertising on our local radio station this year and was delighted to see its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. Their success shows you how you can use radio advertising to make your business more profitable.
 
1. Relevance
The argument concludes that your business can use radio advertising to boost profit since the Cumquat Café did.
 
Does the argument assume that the evidence is relevant to the conclusion? Blatantly. This argument assumes that what's true of Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general. This whole argument hinges on that. If it weren't true that what was the case for Cumquat Cafe is true of radio advertising in general, then this argument would collapse.
 
2. Success
This argument also assumes higher profitability from radio advertising is likely. Do you see any proof to believe that's the case? No it's completely assumed.
 
3. No Other Factors
Does this argument ignore other possible factors that could have led to Cumquat’s increase in profit? Yes.
 
This reasoning makes the crazy assumption that there weren't other possible factors that could have caused the increase, such as better food, service, or even TV advertising for example. Maybe Cumquat Cafe got a feature write up in the local newspaper.
 
You detect a major assumption, then what?
By detecting an assumption, you are prepared to answer the question. For example, if you have a strengthen question, look for the option that makes the assumption more likely to be true, and vice versa for Weaken. Take a look at any CR question, and you are going to be shocked by how powerful this framework is. Try it after you finish reading this article.
 

Conclusion


In addition to training to read at 150 WPM (a core component of EMPOWERgmat’s Verbal tactical program), you need to know the 3 major assumptions, and you have to know them well enough so that you can instantly detect them. At that point, prepared to be amazed at how straightforward CR questions are.
Show more

Great Stuff !!
I wasn't doing too good on my CR questions,but after applying the Relevance-Success-No Other Factors Theory my accuracy has increased.

Thanks a lot.

Regards
Dhruv
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GMAT Club Verbal Focus: The CR Hack For 75% of CR Questions
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15 Oct 2018, 09:10
This was really a Great piece of information. Thanks for sharing.
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