Tips and Strategies to crack Critical Reasoning in Common Admission Test (CAT)

What Does a Critical Reasoning Question Look Like?

After two years in reverse gear, when the competitors dented the market share of MCL, the company has moved into top gear. From a low of 42 percent in June 2000, the MCL market share swelled to 60 percent in June 2001.

Which among the following can be inferred from the above argument?

(a) MCL will again be the leading share holder in the market
(b) MCL will be the leading car share holder in the market'
(c) MCL will be at the centre stage once again
(d) MCL may be at the centre stage once again

This is how a typical critical reasoning question looks like. It has an argument, followed by the stem question, which is then followed by four options. You are asked to choose the correct option.

The first step towards tackling critical reasoning question is that of identifying the premise, conclusion and assumption of an argument. Sometimes a conclusion or a premise can be identified by the presence of special words that attach them to the different parts of an argument.

They are known as conclusion-indicators. Some of them are listed below.
therefore
hence
thus
so
accordingly
In consequence
consequently
proves that
as a result
for this reason

Similarly there are certain phrases which points to the premise. They are known as premise-indicators. Some of them are listed below:
since
because
for
as
as shown by

Note

Not every argument would contain these indicators.

The meaning and context of the propositions may help us recognize the premise and the assumption.

Typical Questions

There are some common question types which can be categorized as follows:

1.  Assumption
    The assumption is the link between the premise and the conclusion, hence should properly fit between them
2. Inference/Conclusion
    An inference or a conclusion will not be stated in the passage but has to be based on the information given in the passage
3. Strengthening
    In such questions you have to look for the statement that would add more authenticity to the argument
4. Weakening
    In weakening questions, you need to look for the statement which questions the authenticity of the argumen —additional   information that would nullify the claim made in the argument