GMAT critical reasoning questions | The ultimate guide!

Your GMAT exams are just around the corner. However, you don’t feel prepared enough regarding GMAT’s critical reasoning questions. It is natural for you to feel that way because the GMAT logical reasoning questions make up the core of the exams. This means that a significant chunk of your overall GMAT scores heavily relies on GMAT critical reasoning questions. You feel the pressure to give it your best shot and land maximum marks. 

Another reason GMAT’s critical reasoning questions make you nervous is because they challenge your analytical and logical thinking skills. Your attention to detail is also tested through the GMAT quantitative reasoning questions and answers. History has enough evidence that a higher number of students find the GMAT critical reasoning section to be quite the challenge. Every student who attempts the GMAT strives and takes great leaps to master the GMAT. However, one can honestly only do it by repeatedly going through strategizing sessions, rehearsing, analyzing different situations, and distinguishing between right and wrong answers. 

Welcome to the critical reasoning questions GMAT club!

Now that you have decided to appear for the GMAT exams and have seemingly booked your seat, we welcome you to the ‘critical reasoning questions GMAT club‘! Your first step as a member of this virtual club is to understand the GMAT critical reasoning questions well. 

You can grasp the GMAT quantitative reasoning questions and answers by familiarizing yourself with its format, structure, types, essential highlights, and more. Let’s start with the key highlights of GMAT critical reasoning questions – 

• Time constraints

You will only receive 30 minutes to attempt the integrated reasoning GMAT questions and another 30 minutes to attempt the quantitative reasoning questions. 

• The number of questions

The question paper will consist of 12 GMAT critical reasoning questions. 

• Scores or grades

While your overall score will be considered, you will be marked separately for each GMAT critical reasoning question. 

Top things to remember about GMAT critical reasoning scores – 

• The score range for GMAT exams is between 200 and 800.
• The average score received by a student is between 400 and 600. 
• Official GMAT scores are published 20 days after the test is completed. 
• The official scores will be mailed to the respective student. 

The complete collection of GMAT reasoning practice questions

Below is a list of top GMAT reasoning practice questions – check it out. The sample consists of the passage and the types of critical reasoning questions (GMAT).

Sample #1  

It was discovered that 1 in every 6 women who are birthed at a hospital dies after delivery. These incidents can be dated back to the 1800s. Linda: At the same time, it was said the mortality was not as high if it was a home birth with the help of a midwife. The doctors did not have a good sense of hygiene. Instruments were leading to pathogens entering a woman’s bloodstream. 

Fiona: But doctors today are so overworked that several doctors, while aware of the need for better hygiene, barely find the time to wash their hands. It is highly likely that careless doctors may end up causing infections in pregnant women without prior knowledge.  

Types of critical reasoning questions (GMAT) to expect – 

• How can Fiona say that Linda’s reasoning is incorrect?
• What did a nationwide survey prove according to this survey? What are your thoughts on the finding?
• What is the reason for the high amount of people dying of hospital-acquired infections?
• What is the significance of sterilization?

Sample #2

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) helps eliminate discrimination. This body considered discrimination against and unfair termination of differently-abled workers in the workplace. However, after the act was introduced, many still noticed a discrepancy in hiring and firing them. As a result, there has been a marked spike in unemployment among the differently-abled.

Types of critical reasoning questions (GMAT) to expect – 

• Which of the following best explains a discrepancy?
• Why did specific differentially-able individuals choose not to work?
• Why should organizations hire differentially-able individuals? 
• Explain the significance of a job guarantee for differentially-able individuals. 
• Why does unemployment remain consistently high?

Sample #3

To help eliminate drug abuse, the government has imposed strict laws to prosecute the dealers. However, this can be ineffective. As a result, the dealers might have to face a temporary reduction in the flow of drugs. At the same time, because no efforts are being taken to manage consumer demand, drugs will be sold at a premium. This further ends up attracting more people to the very remunerative job of drug dealing. Therefore, to effectively reduce drug abuse, the government must educate the users to discontinue the dealers.

Types of critical reasoning questions (GMAT) to expect – 

• What is the severity of the punishment for drug abuse?
• Explain why there is a continuation of drug sales at a higher rate.
• How does the government measure the number of drug dealers in the market?
• What is attractive about the drug dealing job?

Key takeaways

• The GMAT critical reasoning questions make up the heart of the GMAT exam. It is challenging to face these questions because they test your analytical skills. 
• The most crucial hack to mastering the round of GMAT critical reasoning questions and answers is through unwavering practice.
• The best resources you can refer to while preparing for the GMAT reasoning questions are credit GMAT study tools, question papers, prep guides, and videos. 

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

Liked this blog? Read next: The Best GMAT Books for 2022

FAQ

Q1. How many questions are to be expected in the GMAT reasoning section?

Answer- You can expect 10 to 13 critical reasoning questions in your exam. The questions will require you to analyze an argument and counter-argue by providing a logical response. 

Q2. Can I retake the GMAT?

Answer- Yes, you can retake the GMAT upto 5 times every 12 months. 

Q3. What is an acceptable GMAT score?

Answer- An acceptable GMAT score is anything above 650.