Weaken the Argument (Executive Assessment – Critical Reasoning Tactics – Common Question Tasks)

Question Logistics
- Assume 3-5 Critical Reasonings in 14 Question Verbal Section
- Assume 1-3 Critical Reasonings in Each Seven Question Half
- Single Paragraph Pertaining to a Unique Question Task

Strategic Best Practices
- Assume 2 min30 per Question Average
- Maximum 3 min 00 for Any Question
- Note Task of Question Before Engaging Prompt
- Consider Skipping Critical Reasonings on First Pass Through a Half to Ensure You See All Questions
- Take Targeted Notes to Force Engagement and Proactively Address Specific Question Task
- Primary Question Format to Guess and Skip in Second Half if less than 15 min 00 Remaining After Question 7

Identifying Weaken the Argument Tasks
- Recognize Reference to an Argument in Question Stem
- Note Task Words Such as “Weaken” “Undermine” “Doubt”
- New Information Provided in Choices that Must be Assumed True

Strategic Implications
- One of More Straightforward Critical Reasoning Tasks
- Begin by Reading the Prompt and Identifying Explicit Conclusion of Provided Argument
- Attempt to Categorically Identify the Type of Argument to Broadly Predict a Possible Attack
- Focus on Common Wrong Argument Answer Choices to Eliminate Incorrect Options
- Eliminate More Quickly if a Choice Closely Matches Prediction

Weakening an Argument
- Requires Locating Additional Information to Show that an Implicit Assumption Linking Premises to Conclusion is Unlikely to be True
- Arguments Can be Categorized in Multiple Ways but Focusing Closely on Specifics of the Premise Helps to Broadly Predict How a Choice Could Undermine Claim

Analogy | A = B
- Assumes – Items in argument are comparable in relevant ways
- Likely Attack – Should identify relevant differences in items

Representation
- Assumes – Evidentiary sample is representative of the larger whole population in conclusion
- Likely Attack – Should highlight subtle term shifts from evidence to conclusion or show that a provided sample is not representative of the overall population

Data and Evidence Interpretation
- Assumes – No other reasonable interpretation of data or evidence
- Likely Attack – Provides additional data (numbers) or evidence to support an alternative interpretation of the information

Causality | A Implies B
- Assumes – No other possible causes or outcomes, and that the circumstance is not merely a coincidence
- Likely Attack – Identifies another likelier cause or outcome, possibly by making circumstance seem coincidental

Plan or Recommendation
- Assumes – Execution and approach will work
- Likely Attack – Provides information to showexecution of the plan or recommendation will not result in success as defined by the argument

Weaken Task Checklist

Step 1
- Identify Weaken Task by Recognizing Key Indicator Terms and the Presence of an Argument with a Main Conclusion

Step 2
- Read Prompt as Written Paying Close Attention to Type of Information Provided in Premise and Note Explicit Conclusion

Step 3
- If Common Argument Identified – More Specifically Predict What Correct Answer Should Do to Weaken the Argument Based on Type
- If No Common Argument Identified – Use Generic Prediction “Find Info to Weaken the Conclusion That...”

Step 4
- Seek a Match to Your Prediction and Eliminate Choices that Fail to Address Task Using Common Wrong Answer Reasons