Analyzing Arguments
Reasoning is one of the most important sections in a Competitive exam. You can score a great marks in competitive exams, if you get a good score in Reasoning test. This can be achieve only if you have a very good reasoning skills. Basically reasoning is divided into few sections according to logic and type. This Analyzing Arguments topic is one of them.
The argument is a set of statements of which it is claimed that one of those statements the premises supports the conclusion. To begin that analyze an argument the students need to do is identify its premises and conclusion.
Tips for Logical Reasoning
Tip #1: Identify the question type
Identifying the question type is essential when determining how to approach a Logical Reasoning question(Analyzing Arguments).
Strengthen Questions ask you to recognize the statement that would best bolster the author’s argument and support the conclusion.
Assumption Questions ask you to identify the gap between the evidence provided and the conclusion reached. The right answer choice will be the statement that is necessary to get from the evidence to the conclusion.
Inference Questions ask to find the statement that is most supported by the argument, assuming all the statements in the argument are accurate.
Flaw Questions ask you to spot the underlying flaw in the argument presented.
So, take a deep breath—you’re probably looking at one of those question types.
Naturally, your approach will differ depending on the type of question you are answering. You don’t want to pick the answer choice that strengthens the argument when the question asks which choice would best weaken the argument!
Tip #2: Read the argument carefully
Practice Active Reading
Just like when you’re reading a passage in the Reading Comprehension section, you’ll want to read Logical Reasoning arguments actively, making notes, and circling key words and phrases. This is not a leisurely read—dissect the argument and understand how all of the sentences work together.
Identify the Conclusion & Premise
To accurately answer a Logical Reasoning question, you must correctly identify the conclusion to the argument and the premise or supporting sentences. Note that the conclusion isn’t necessarily at the end of the argument (although that would be nice!). Be on the lookout for keywords that signal the conclusion; words like “therefore” or “consequently” usually signal the finish.
Tip #3: Quick review of the question type!
Right before you analyze the answer choices, do a quick review of the question type. It’s easy to become fatigued after two hours of test taking and forget what the question has asked you to do.
So, always do a quick review of the question type. With a clear sense of what the question is asking, you’ll be able to find the right answer and pick up another point!
Tip #4: Analyze the answer choices
Identifying the right answer choice on a Logical Reasoning question is a comparative process. There could be two really good answer choices. Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to find the best one. While that may sound tricky, there are a few strategies to find the right one.
First, don’t be led astray by any wrong answer choices. Quickly eliminate any glaring, wrong choices. This will help narrow the field of remaining answers. By crossing out the obviously wrong answers, you’ve already increased your likelihood of getting the right answer.
Second, read each of the remaining answer choices as carefully as you read the argument. One word can change the whole meaning of an answer, and cost you a point in the process—don’t let that happen to you! Actively read each answer choice and ensure that it answers the exact question you’ve been asked to answer.
If the answer choice does answer the question, don’t stop there. You have to read all the other choices to make sure you’ve found the best answer choice. Remember, it is likely that there will be two good options.
Tip #5: Keep moving!
Never get bogged down on any one question. Always remember that each question on the Competitive Exam is worth the same as every other question. If you find yourself really stuck on a question, use the process of elimination to at least narrow your answer choices. Then, pick what you think is the best answer from the remaining choices and move on! You can draw a big star next to the question in your test booklet and come back if you have time left at the end of the section.
And remember: speed matters.