Professionals with MBA degrees from top institutions usually go on to

Question

Professionals with MBA degrees from top institutions usually go on to have more successful careers than other professionals pursuing corporate careers. The MBA degree from a top institution, therefore, must be a more important factor in career growth than other factors such as leadership skills, problem-solving acumen, and overall business sense.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

a. No degree alone can compensate for the lack of leadership skills, problem-solving acumen, and overall business sense.

b. Business acumen is less important for long-term career success than problem-solving ability.

c. Having a successful career depends on leadership skills, problem-solving acumen, and overall business sense.

d. The MBA programs focus on building skills that are essential for long-term career success.

e. Top business schools typically select candidates with good leadership skills, problem-solving acumen, and overall business sense.

rosalynd · Answer

The argument claims that having an MBA degree from a top institution is more important than other factors like leadership skills and problem-solving for career success. To weaken this argument, we need to find a statement that undermines this claim. Option E states that top business schools typically select candidates with good leadership skills, problem-solving acumen, and overall business sense. This means that MBA graduates from top institutions may already possess these important skills, making them successful, rather than the degree alone being the cause of their success. Therefore, E weakens the argument the most.

ndwz · Answer

Hi  GMATNinja , would you please be able to shed some light on why A is wrong? I didn't pick E because just because the option says that top business schools typical pick candidates with these 3 skills, it doesn't really show how the MBA degree is equally or less important

MuditKapoor · Answer

MBA must be a more important factor than these skills- this is what author wants to say.

Option E says : even to get into an MBA school these factors are necessary hence making the mentioned factors of prime importance. 
Without these you can't go to an MBA school, all in all making these factors a prerequisite and if not less equally important and getting successful is beyond MBA hence option E weakens.

Dhruvesh97 · Answer

It basically says no degree and not specifically mentions MBA degree.The question is whether MBA vs those given skills.And this is just a statement which doesnt weaken this claim.Thats my interpretation,GMATNinja please correct me if i am wrong anywhere.

Professionals with MBA degrees from top institutions usually go on to

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