Ronald Scored 600 on the GMAT While Derek Scored 338 on the GRE. Therefore, Ronald Performed much Better than Derek Did.

Question: Ronald scored 600 on the GMAT while Derek scored 338 on the GRE. Therefore, Ronald performed much better than Derek did.

Which of the following is the most serious flaw in the argument?

(A) The argument does not take into account the possibility that Ronald’s score could be a fluke.
(B) The argument does not take into account the past academic records of Ronald and Derek.
(C) The argument arrives at an extreme conclusion on the basis of unverified data.
(D) The argument assumes that standardized test scores are the best predictors of future success of an individual.
(E) The argument discounts the possibility that the GRE and the GMAT may have different scoring scales.

Answer: E

Explanation:

This is a flawed question where we know that the stimulus will be worded in the form of an argument. So,our job will be to identify the conclusion and the evidence of this argument. A GMAT Critical Reasoning section consists of a passage. In GMAT critical reasoning tests, the candidates are tested on their reasoning, logical and analytical thinking abilities. The candidate has to deduce the correct option by finding the logically correct argument or by eliminating the irrelevant arguments.

Conclusion:

Ronald has performed better than Derek.

Evidence:

Ronald scored 600 on the GMAT and Derek scored 338 on the GRE, and since 600 is more than 338, Ronald must have performed better.

We need to know if this makes any sense. As per GRE scoring pattern would obviously know that a 338 (out of 340) on the GRE is a much better score than a 600 (out of 800) on the GMAT. However,as per the argument, nothing as such is stated or can be known.

The argument does not mention this fact, which will then take us to the assumption. Now, what the assumption can be?

Assumption:

Let us assume that—the GRE and the GMAT are scored on the same scoring scale. Only under this assumption, can the argument conclude what it is concluding.

The problem statements asks us to identify the Flaw. The flaw will always question the assumption. It will raise doubts as to what if the assumption were not true.

For clarity, let’s also take a look at the other options:

(A) The argument does not take into account the possibility that Ronald’s score could be a fluke. - It doesn’t matter how Ronald arrived at that particular score as long as there is a possibility that this score could still be worse than Derek’s score. Hence, this is irrelevant.

(B) The argument does not take into account the past academic records of Ronald and Derek. - Here, the past academic records are irrelevant because the argument shows the results of current tests taken by Ronald and Derek. The argument does not make a conclusion that Ronald, in general, is a better student than Derek. This is also not a flaw and hence, irrelevant.

(C) The argument arrives at an extreme conclusion on the basis of unverified data. - The argument does not state anything to suggest that the data is unverified.

(D) The argument assumes that standardized test scores are the best predictors of future success of an individual. - The argument does not talk about the future of the candidates. With both the test takers scores, we will not be able to judge the future.

(E) The argument discounts the possibility that the GRE and the GMAT may have different scoring scales. - We have assumed that the GRE and the GMAT are scored on the same scoring scale. If this is not the case, then the credibility of the statement vanishes. If we take the actual scores in the exam, 338 (out of 340) on the GRE is a much better score than a 600 (out of 800). Hence, this is the correct option.

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