Question Approach Review

Memorize this process and make it second nature! These steps constitute
the basic approach you must use to attack each.
Take a moment to review the methods discussed in Chapters Two and Three.
Together, these recommendations form a cohesive strategy for attacking any
Logical Reasoning question. Let us start by reviewing the Primary
ObjectivesTM:
Primary Objective #1: Determine whether the stimulus contains an
argument or if it is only a set of factual statements.
Primary Objective #2: If the stimulus contains an argument, identify the
conclusion of the argument. If the stimulus contains a fact set, examine
each fact.
Primary Objective #3: If the stimulus contains an argument, determine if
the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #4: Read closely and know precisely what the author
said. Do not generalize!
Primary Objective #5: Carefully read and identify the question stem. Do
not assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain
question types.
Primary Objective #6: Prephrase: after reading the question stem, take a
moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Primary Objective #7: Always read each of the five answer choices.
Primary Objective #8: Separate the answer choices into Contenders and
Losers. After you complete this process, review the Contenders and decide
which answer is the correct one.
Primary Objective #9: If all five answer choices appear to be Losers, return
to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
As you attack each problem, remember that each question stem governs the
flow of information within the problem:
• The First family uses the stimulus to prove one of the answer choices
must be true. No information outside the sphere of the stimulus is
allowed in the correct answer choice.
• The Second Family takes the answer choices as true and uses them to
help the stimulus. Information outside the sphere of the stimulus is
allowed in the correct answer choice.
• The Third Family takes the answer choices as true and uses them to
hurt the stimulus. Information outside the sphere of the stimulus is
allowed in the correct answer choice.
• The Fourth Family uses the stimulus to prove that one of the answer
choices cannot occur. No information outside the sphere of the
stimulus is allowed in the answer choices.
By consistently applying the points above, you give yourself the best
opportunity to succeed on each question.