Explain an Outcome (GMAT Course - Critical Reasoning Tactics - Common Question Tasks)

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Question Logistics
- Likely the Least Frequently Occurring Question Type
- Approximately Ten of the Questions in 36 Question Verbal Section
- Usually About 80% Argument Tasks and About 20% Inference Tasks
Strategic Best Practices
- Assume 2 min per Question Average
- Maximum 3 min for Any Question
- Note Task of Question Before Engaging Prompt
- Limit to Single Prompt Reread Before Eliminating Choices for Common Wrong Answers & Guessing
- Always Take Targeted Notes to Proactively Address Specific Question Task
- Primary Question Format to Guess and Skip if Behind Pace After Question 12 or Question 24
Identifying Explain an Outcome Tasks
- Note Task Words Such as “Explain”, “Paradox”, or “Justify”
- Recognize the Presence of a Somewhat Surprising Outcome from Facts
- Task Often Includes Nearly Verbatim Conclusion / Outcome to Explain
Strategic Implications
- Note Conclusion / Outcome in Prompt to Expedite Evaluation
- Focus Closely on Details of Evidence Provided
- Consider Common Assumptions to Potentially Proactively and Specifically Predict Information to Explain the Somewhat Surprising Outcome
- Focus on Common Wrong Argument Answer Choices to Eliminate Incorrect Options
- Eliminate More Quickly if a Choice Matches Predicted Explanation
Explaining an Outcome
- Recognize that the Described Outcome Functions as a De Facto Conclusion
- Think About Details in Conjunction with Common Arguments to Potentially Predict a Reasonable Explanation
Analogy | A = B
- Assumes - Items in argument are comparable in relevant ways
- Likely Explanation - Should show that even though items may initially seem incomparable, the items are analogous in a relevant fashion
Representation
- Assumes - Evidentiary sample is representative of the larger whole population in conclusion
- Likely Explanation - Should show that even though the sample seems unrepresentative or that terms in evidence and claim seem mismatched, the sample is in fact representative of population in outcome
Data and Evidence Interpretation
- Assumes - No other reasonable interpretation of data or evidence
- Likely Explanation - Should provide additional data (numbers) or evidence to show that the surprising interpretation is reasonable
Causality | A implies B
- Assumes - No other possible causes or outcomes, and that the circumstance is not merely a coincidence
- Likely Explanation - Should show that surprising causal relationship is actually reasonable
Plan or Recommendation
- Assumes - Execution and approach will work
- Likely Explanation - Shows an unconventionalrecommendation can actually reasonably be expected to work according to the defined success metric
Explain Task Checklist
Step 1
- Identify Explain Task by Recognizing Key Indicator Terms and Possibly a Situation in the Prompt Requiring an Explanation
Step 2
- Read Prompt as Written Paying Close Attention to Type of Information Provided in Premise and Note Explicit Outcome to Explain
Step 3
- If Common Argument Identified - More Specifically Predict What Correct Answer Should Do to Explain Surprising Outcome Based on Type
- If No Common Argument Identified - Use Generic Prediction “Find Info to Explain Why Outcome... Happened”
Step 4
- Seek a Match to Your Prediction and Eliminate Choices that Fail to Address Task Using Common Wrong Answer Reasons
0:00 Introduction
0:19 Critical Reasonings
1:32 Explain an Outcome
3:14 Argumentation Equation
8:46 Common Explanations
10:04 Explain Tasks
13:30 Explain Task Checklist