GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions with Answers

GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions are an important part of the GMAT Verbal section that test a candidate’s ability to analyze and evaluate arguments. These questions present a short passage followed by a question that asks you to identify assumptions, strengthen or weaken an argument, or draw logical conclusions. Instead of focusing on vocabulary, GMAT CR primarily evaluates logical reasoning and analytical skills. 

Many aspirants practice these questions regularly and also use resources like GMAT Club critical reasoning discussions to understand different approaches and improve their accuracy.

GMAT Critical Reasoning Overview

GMAT Critical Reasoning questions typically consist of a short passage (usually under 100 words), a question stem, and five answer choices. Candidates are required to analyze the logic of the argument provided and identify assumptions, flaws, or strengths.

On average, you will encounter 9 to 10 CR questions in the Verbal section. Since the GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, the difficulty level of these questions adjusts based on your performance.

GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions and Answers

To help you master the Verbal section, here are some practice GMAT critical reasoning questions categorized by type. These questions reflect the logic and structure you will encounter on the actual exam.

1. Weaken the Argument

Stimulus: A recent study found that people who eat a high-protein breakfast are more alert throughout the morning than those who eat a high-carbohydrate breakfast. Therefore, to increase employee productivity in the mornings, the CEO of Company X plans to replace the free donuts in the breakroom with Greek yoghurt and hard-boiled eggs.

Question: Which of the following, if true, most weakens the CEO’s plan?

• (A) Greek yoghurt and eggs are more expensive than doughnuts.

• (B) Most employees at Company X currently bring their own breakfast from home.

• (C) High-protein breakfasts are more satiating than high-carbohydrate ones.

• (D) Alertness is only one of many factors that contribute to overall productivity.

• (E) Some employees are allergic to dairy products found in Greek yoghurt.

Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: If most employees already bring their own breakfast, changing the food provided in the breakroom will have little to no impact on the overall productivity of the workforce.

2. Identify the Assumption

Stimulus: The city of Springfield is considering a new law that would ban the use of plastic bags in all grocery stores. Proponents argue that this will significantly reduce the city's plastic waste. However, critics point out that shoppers will simply switch to paper bags, which require more energy to produce and transport.

Question: The critics’ argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

• (A) Paper bags are more biodegradable than plastic bags.

• (B) The city of Springfield has the facilities to recycle paper bags efficiently.

• (C) Shoppers will not bring their own reusable cloth bags to the store.

• (D) Plastic bags are currently the primary source of litter in Springfield.

• (E) The environmental impact of energy use is greater than the impact of plastic waste.

Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: The critics assume that because plastic is gone, shoppers must use paper. If shoppers switch to reusable cloth bags instead, the critics' concern about paper bag production energy becomes irrelevant.

3. Inference (Must be True)

Stimulus: In a certain laboratory, all chemicals labelled "Group A" are highly flammable. Some chemicals labelled "Group A" are also toxic. No toxic chemical is allowed to be stored in the basement.

Question: Which of the following must be true based on the statements above?

• (A) All highly flammable chemicals are stored in the basement.

• (B) Some highly flammable chemicals are not allowed to be stored in the basement.

• (C) Any chemical stored in the basement is not highly flammable.

• (D) Toxic chemicals are the only chemicals not allowed in the basement.

• (E) All chemicals in Group A are toxic.

Correct Answer: (B)

• Explanation: We know some Group A chemicals are toxic, and toxic chemicals cannot be in the basement. Since all Group A chemicals are flammable, those specific toxic Group A chemicals are "highly flammable" and "not allowed in the basement."

4. Paradox/Resolve the Discrepancy

Stimulus: Last year, the price of premium coffee beans rose by 30%. However, the largest coffee chain in the country reported a significant increase in its profit margins during the same period, even though it did not raise the prices of its beverages.

Question: Which of the following, if true, best explains the discrepancy described above?

• (A) The coffee chain opened 50 new stores during the last year.

• (B) The chain’s competitors raised their prices significantly.

• (C) The chain implemented a new roasting process that reduces bean waste by 40%.

• (D) More people are drinking coffee now than they were a year ago.

• (E) The price of milk and sugar, other key ingredients, remained stable.

Correct Answer: (C)

• Explanation: By reducing waste, the chain can produce the same amount of coffee with fewer beans, offsetting the higher cost per bean and allowing profit margins to grow without raising menu prices.

Structure of a GMAT CR Question

Every CR question is built upon three main components:

1. The Stimulus: A short paragraph containing an argument or a set of facts.

2. The Question Stem: A specific instruction (e.g., "Which of the following strengthens the argument?").

3. The Options: Five choices, where only one is logically sound based on the stimulus.

Types of GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions

To master GMAT CR, you must be able to identify the specific question type. The most common categories include:

1. Weaken the Argument

These questions ask you to find an option that exposes a flaw or provides evidence that makes the conclusion less likely to be true.

2. Strengthen the Argument

Here, you must select the choice that supports the conclusion or validates a key assumption made by the author.

3. Identify the Assumption

An assumption is an unstated piece of information that must be true for the argument to hold. These questions require you to bridge the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.

4. Inference (Draw a Conclusion)

Unlike other types, inference questions do not ask you to evaluate an argument. Instead, you must identify what "must be true" based strictly on the facts provided in the stimulus.

5. Paradox/Resolve the Discrepancy

You are presented with two seemingly contradictory facts. Your task is to find the answer choice that explains how both facts can coexist.

6. Boldface (Role of Statement)

In these questions, two parts of the text are in bold. You must identify the logical role each part plays—for example, whether a statement is a premise, a conclusion, or a counter-argument.

GMAT CR Preparation Strategy

To improve your accuracy in GMAT critical reasoning questions, follow these steps:

• Deconstruct the Argument: Identify the Premise (facts) and the Conclusion (the author's main point).

• Identify the "Gap": Most arguments have a logical leap. Finding this gap helps you identify assumptions and potential strengtheners or weakeners.

• Avoid Outside Knowledge: Base your answer only on the information provided in the stimulus.

• Use Quality Resources: Practice with official GMAT materials and leverage community insights from GMAT Club critical reasoning discussions to understand different perspectives on complex problems.