Free Practice for GMAT Critical Reasoning

Last Updated on January 16, 2024

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a widely recognized standardized exam designed not only for those seeking admission to esteemed business schools but also for individuals preparing for consulting aptitude and recruitment tests. A critical part of this test, the GMAT Critical Reasoning section, is particularly useful for honing essential skills that are pivotal to succeeding in assessments like the BCG Online Case, Bain SOVA, Kearney Recruitment Test, and other consulting recruitment tests.

Understanding the GMAT Critical Reasoning Section

The GMAT Critical Reasoning section assesses your ability to evaluate and analyze logical arguments. This section consists of approximately 14 questions that must be completed within the 65-minute Verbal Reasoning section. The questions are based on short passages or arguments from which you need to draw conclusions, make inferences, or identify assumptions. It includes various question types such as:

1. Argument Construction: These questions assess your ability to recognize when an argument is logically sound or recognize what could be added to make it so.
2. Argument Evaluation: Here, you need to analyze a given argument and answer questions about the argument’s logical validity.
3. Formulating and Evaluating a Plan: These questions require you to develop or evaluate a plan of action.

Argument Construction

Question: “Regular physical activity is known to have health benefits and is therefore important. Many people argue that physical education classes in schools are critical to ensuring that children participate in physical activities.”

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

A. Many children do not have access to safe places to exercise outside of school. B. Physical activity can also have benefits for mental health. C. Some children already participate in regular physical activity outside of school. D. Not all schools have the necessary facilities for physical education classes.

The correct answer here is A. If it’s true that many children don’t have safe places to exercise outside of school, that strengthens the argument that physical education classes in schools are critical to ensuring children participate in physical activities.

Argument Evaluation

Question: “Many companies have recently focused on creating open-plan offices, arguing that such spaces foster collaboration and communication among employees. However, a survey has found that employees in open-plan offices are less satisfied with their work environments than those in traditional offices.”

The argument above assumes which of the following?

A. Employee satisfaction with their work environment directly impacts collaboration and communication. B. All employees prefer traditional offices over open-plan offices. C. Companies are making a mistake in creating open-plan offices. D. The survey included a representative sample of employees in both open-plan and traditional offices.

The correct answer is D. The argument assumes that the survey had a representative sample of employees in both types of offices. Without this, it’s not valid to generalize about all employees based on the survey.

Formulating and Evaluating a Plan

Question: “The city council plans to reduce traffic congestion by increasing public transportation usage. They plan to do this by reducing the cost of public transport tickets.”

Which of the following would be most useful to determine the effectiveness of the city council’s plan?

A. Information on how many people currently use public transportation. B. Data on whether cost is a significant factor in people’s choice to use public transportation. C. Information on the environmental benefits of public transportation. D. Data on how much the city council plans to reduce ticket prices.

The correct answer here is B. Knowing whether the cost is a significant factor in people’s choice to use public transportation would be the most useful in determining if reducing ticket prices would actually lead to increased usage.

Why GMAT Critical Reasoning Practice is Beneficial for Consulting Test Preparation

There are several reasons why practicing GMAT Critical Reasoning questions is beneficial when preparing for consulting aptitude and recruitment tests:

• Analytical and Logical Reasoning: The skills tested in the GMAT Critical Reasoning section overlap significantly with those needed in consulting. Both require high levels of analytical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to make logical inferences.
• Decision-Making: The ability to critically evaluate arguments and scenarios to make strategic decisions is essential in consulting. GMAT Critical Reasoning questions provide excellent practice for this.
• Time Management: As with consulting tests, the GMAT is timed. Practicing under these conditions can help you improve your speed and efficiency.

Preparing for Consulting Aptitude Tests with GMAT Critical Reasoning

Effective preparation involves understanding the format and types of GMAT Critical Reasoning questions, practicing regularly, and reviewing answer explanations to understand the logic behind them. Regularly taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions can simulate the test-taking environment and improve your speed and accuracy.

Resources like GMAT Club, Manhattan Prep, Magoosh, Kaplan, Veritas Prep, and Princeton Review offer hundreds of GMAT Critical Reasoning practice questions. These resources can be invaluable for developing the skills needed to excel in consulting aptitude and recruitment tests such as the BCG Online Case and Bain SOVA.

Free Practice Access

1. GMAT Club: This site offers a forum with numerous Critical Reasoning questions. Registration may be required to participate in the forum fully.
2. Manhattan Prep: Manhattan Prep provides a free GMAT practice test. Registration is required.
3. Magoosh: This page provides a selection of GMAT Critical Reasoning practice questions and explanations.
4. Kaplan: Kaplan offers a free practice quiz for the GMAT that includes Critical Reasoning questions. You’ll need to register to access the quiz.
5. Veritas Prep: Veritas Prep provides a free question bank that includes Critical Reasoning questions. You’ll need to register to access the questions.
6. Princeton Review: The Princeton Review offers a free online practice test for the GMAT. Registration is required to access the test.
7. Official GMAT Website: The official GMAT website offers free GMAT prep software that includes practice questions.

Please note: The websites linked above may require registration or sign-up to access the resources.

In conclusion, GMAT Critical Reasoning practice can offer a strategic advantage in your preparation for consulting aptitude and recruitment tests. By honing your analytical and logical reasoning skills, you can position yourself for success in the highly competitive consulting field.

Practice with our dedicated resources.