A Local Biopharma Startup is Trying to Get a Foothold in a Competitive Field of Research

Question: A local biopharma startup is trying to get a foothold in a competitive field of research. The company’s PR rep stated, “In order to attract and retain the best science managers, we offer salaries and bonuses at double the industry standard. Our engineers work with the best science managers in the industry.” Clearly, engineers at this startup will produce the best results.

Which of the following, if true, best supports the PR rep’s argument?

1. The startup managers are themselves, top engineers.
2. The bonuses received by the startup’s managers are based on performance, as measured by objective metrics of successful research by the engineers they manage
3. The managers are paid only after passing a rigorous specialised certification program.
4. Making a difference in the field of medicine is not the primary motivation of the best biopharma managers
5. Market conditions permit that managers change employment from one biopharma company to another.

A Local Biopharma Startup is Trying to Get a Foothold in a Competitive Field of Research is a GMAT Critical Reasoning topic. This particular GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘GMAT Official Guide 2022 Bundle’. This is support the argument question. In this particular topic, candidates need to choose the option that best suits the passage and supports the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the strengths and weaknesses of the argument, or find the logical flaw in the argument.  The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: D

Explanation:

We are looking for something that is implied in the argument. In case it is wrong or maybe disable the argument.

Which of the following, if true, best supports the PR rep’s argument?

1. The startup managers are themselves, top engineers. – The statement does not strengthen the relationship between double pay and producing the best results. The passage does not state any such implications.  We know that the managers at the other companies are also top engineers. Hence, this is not correct. 
2. The bonuses received by the startup’s managers are based on performance, as measured by objective metrics of successful research by the engineers they manage – The point that the passage makes is that this startup is different. Also, we know at all such startups' managers' bonuses are based on performance. hence, this is also not correct. 
3. The managers are paid only after passing a rigorous specialised certification program. – This is similar to the options A and B. This option neither differentiates the company nor strengthens the relationship between double pay and producing the best results. We can consider this as out of scope and hence, incorrect.
4. Making a difference in the field of medicine is not the primary motivation of the best biopharma managers – The option is related to the connection between paying double and getting the best results. As per this, if the primary motivation of the best science managers were not paid, then one might not attract the best managers, or produce the best results only by paying double. So this eliminates a potential issue, strengthening the conclusion which is paying double will result in producing the best results.
5. Market conditions permit that managers change employment from one biopharma company to another. – If managers were not able to move from company to company, other companies would face the same challenge. So what this choice says does not change the relationship between double pay and best results and is not clearly important for making the plan work.

The correct answer is option D.

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