GMAT Critical Reasoning: Practice Questions With Answers & Expert Tips

While the GMAT has a number of components built to assess your readiness for admission to a variety of top business schools, the Verbal Reasoning section tests your reading comprehension and ability to quickly and thoughtfully make decisions about what you’ve read – essential components of an MBA candidate. If you want to ace the Critical Reasoning section – one of the two parts of Verbal Reasoning – this is the best place to start.

In this guide, you’ll learn what Critical Reasoning questions look like, how to approach them, what real test takers struggle with, and exactly how to find the correct answer choice every time. By the end, you’ll feel confident walking into your test thanks to our reliable strategies, practice questions, and expert tips – plus real-world insights from experienced GMAT test-takers.

Read: GMAT Focus Edition: What You Need to Know

What Is GMAT Critical Reasoning?

The GMAT’s Critical Reasoning section is a component of the Verbal Reasoning section, where you will evaluate and analyze arguments logically. Instead of rote memorization, this part tests your ability to:

• Read a passage
• Understand an argument
• Identify assumptions, conclusions, and flaws
• Select the correct answer choice based on evidence.

These questions are designed to see how well you can interpret, evaluate, and strengthen or weaken arguments quickly and accurately, a skill crucial in business decision‑making and management roles.

Unlike other parts of the GMAT, like data sufficiency or reading comprehension, critical reasoning zeroes in on reasoning and argument structure. It’s all about the logic behind decisions, not the raw facts.

Read: GMAT Focus Verbal: Topics, Timing, Scores, & Tips

Why Critical Reasoning Matters for GMAT Success

Critical reasoning is a make‑or‑break part of the verbal section. High scorers dominate this area because it closely aligns with real business scenarios, and it tests how you think. Correctly answering these questions boosts your overall GMAT score more than many expect.

Real test-takers on forums like Reddit often report that improving at critical reasoning translates to confidence on the GMAT overall because it unlocks a deeper understanding of logical reasoning and argument evaluation.

One test-taker wrote: “To improve in Critical Reasoning, your first goal is to fully master the individual Critical Reasoning topics: Strengthen the Argument, Weaken the Argument, Resolve the Paradox, etc.”

Another noted: “Once I mastered underlying assumptions and strengthen questions, my verbal score jumped dramatically.”

This isn’t surprising, because being able to identify an assumption or recognize an alternate explanation reliably separates top performers from the rest.

The Anatomy of a Critical Reasoning Question

Every GMAT Critical Reasoning question follows a highly predictable structure. Once you learn to recognize its parts, you’ll be able to analyze them quickly and spot the correct answer choice faster.

The 3-Part Structure of a CR Question

1. Stimulus - A brief passage presenting an argument, typically 3–5 sentences long. It includes a conclusion (explicit or implied), supporting premises, and sometimes irrelevant details designed to distract you.
2. Question - A prompt that asks you to do something with the argument: strengthen it, weaken it, identify an assumption, inference, flaw, or logical gap. The question stem tells you exactly what kind of logical task you’re being tested on. Read it first.
3. Answer Choices - Five options, often similar in tone or phrasing, but only one logically satisfies the task in the stem. The others may sound tempting, but include flawed logic, irrelevant details, or extreme language.

Let’s break this down with an example:

Stimulus: “Because the number of online sales in the luxury goods market has grown faster than retail store sales in recent years, most industries selling luxury items should focus exclusively on e‑commerce.”

Question: Which of the following correct answer choices most logically completes the argument?

Here, you might be asked to identify the assumption that the argument depends on, a common GMAT critical reasoning question type. So when the question asks you to logically complete the argument, it’s really testing whether you can identify the missing link: the assumption the author makes but doesn’t say out loud.

Answer choices that simply repeat facts or introduce irrelevant comparisons (e.g., market share in corn fields or changes in science education) might sound sophisticated, but they don’t actually connect the premise to the conclusion.

Read: GMAT Verbal Questions: Types, Strategy, & How to Maximize Your Score

The 5 Most Common GMAT CR Question Types and How to Master Each One

Top GMAT scorers don’t just memorize question types. They also understand how each one tests different aspects of reasoning. Here’s how to recognize and tackle every major critical reasoning question type on the GMAT.

1. Assumption Questions

What must be true for the argument to work?

These questions test whether you can identify the missing link between a conclusion and its evidence, the part the author takes for granted but doesn’t state.

How to approach:

• Find the conclusion, then ask: What does the author need you to believe for this to logically follow?
• The correct answer will fill that gap, not restate what's already said.
• Use the Negation Test: If negating the answer choice destroys the argument’s logic, it’s likely correct.

What to avoid: Choices that are true but irrelevant. If it doesn’t support the logic, they’re out.

2. Strengthen / Weaken Questions

Which option would make the argument more or less convincing?

These questions introduce new information and test how it affects the argument’s strength.

For Strengthen:

• Look for evidence that supports or confirms the logic of the conclusion.
• The best answer will reinforce the assumption that the argument depends on.

For Weaken:

• Find flaws or alternate explanations.
• The correct answer typically undercuts the reasoning or presents a competing interpretation.

What to avoid: Choices that feel related to the topic but don’t actually affect the argument’s logic.

3. Inference Questions

What must be true based solely on the information given?

Here, you’re not evaluating an argument; you’re identifying a conclusion that logically follows from the stimulus.

How to approach:

• Don’t overthink or assume anything beyond the text.
• Eliminate choices that introduce new ideas or go beyond what's stated.

What to avoid: Answer choices that are “probably true” but not necessarily true based on the passage alone.

4. Evaluate the Argument Questions

Which piece of information would help test the strength of the argument?

These are meta-logic questions. Instead of choosing a statement that strengthens or weakens the argument, you're identifying a question or detail that would help determine whether the argument is sound.

How to approach:

• Focus on the assumption: what needs to be true?
• The best answers will present a condition where a “yes” would strengthen and a “no” would weaken the argument (or vice versa).

What to avoid: Answers that add new facts but don’t clarify the argument’s validity.

5. Conclusion / Main Point Questions

What is the author ultimately trying to prove?

These questions test your ability to identify the central claim in an argument, the takeaway the author wants the reader to believe.

How to approach:

• Separate the supporting evidence from the main point.
• The correct answer will rephrase the author’s key conclusion without introducing new information.

What to avoid: Statements that are true but only support the conclusion rather than represent it.

Quick Reference: How to Spot Question Types by Stem Language

Expert Strategy: How to Approach Every Critical Reasoning Question

Read with a Purpose

Every critical reasoning question begins with a short passage, but don’t just skim. Read actively and pay close attention to structural markers like “because,” “however,” “therefore,” and “thus.” These signal where the argument shifts, where evidence is introduced, and where the conclusion lands. Missing one of these cues often leads to choosing an answer that feels right but doesn't hold up under logical scrutiny.

Separate the Argument into Its Core Parts

Before you dive into the answer choices, isolate the building blocks of the argument. What’s the premise (the information the author assumes is true)? What’s the conclusion (the statement the author wants you to accept)?

If you can’t distinguish the two clearly, you’re vulnerable to trap answers that blur that line. Nearly every GMAT CR question hinges on this distinction.

Predict the Answer Type First

Once you’ve parsed the structure, pause. Look at the question stem and predict what kind of answer you’re about to evaluate. Are you being asked to strengthen the argument? Weaken it? Draw an inference? Identify an assumption?

This 3-second prediction step gives you a logical target, and drastically reduces the chance you’ll fall for a tempting but irrelevant choice.

Recognize and Dismiss Trap Answers Quickly

GMAT answer choices are designed to trick you, and they’re good at it. Learn to spot the most common traps immediately: choices that are off-topic, introduce comparisons that don’t exist in the stimulus, or use extreme language like “always” or “never.”

These signals often indicate the answer may sound assertive but lacks the logical fit the question demands.

Always Validate with Evidence

Before selecting an answer, ask yourself: Does this choice logically follow from or directly impact the actual content of the argument? Be ruthless. Eliminate answers that rely on assumptions not stated in the passage.

The GMAT rewards precision, not instinct. Only one answer will be fully aligned with the structure and intent of the stimulus. Your job is to find it with surgical logic, not hopeful guessing.

Practical Examples (With Explanations): Sample GMAT Question

Stimulus: A recent survey found that students who read more novels scored better on tests of emotional intelligence.

Question Stem: Which of the following correct answer choices most logically explains the survey’s conclusion?

Answer Choices:

A. Students who read novels spend more time in school libraries.

B. Reading novels requires empathy to understand characters’ motives.

C. Test scores are higher for students who do not read novels.

D. Students who watch movies have similar test results.

E. Reading novels improves vocabulary more than textbooks.

Best Answer: B

Why?

This choice ties directly to the idea of emotional reasoning: empathy, which is what the emotional intelligence measure is likely testing.

Real-World Insights for Real Improvements

GMAT test-takersoften struggle with confusion between different CR question types, especially mistaking assumption questions for inference, or weakening for evaluating.

This leads to a high rate of “plausible but wrong” answer choices that feel correct on the surface but fail under logical scrutiny. Another common issue is rushing through the question stem, which causes students to approach the problem with the wrong strategy altogether.

The most echoed advice from high scorers? Don’t just do more questions, but train under timed conditions. As one test-taker put it, “Use practice questions with timing to train your brain to see patterns fast.” That’s not just anecdotal wisdom; it’s aligned with expert methodology. Pattern recognition is what separates a 650 verbal score from a 750: it turns reactive guessing into deliberate logic.

Practice Strategies That Actually Build Score-Boosting Skill

• Build a High-Quality Daily Routine - Set a consistent target of 10–20 critical reasoning questions per day, but don’t make volume your only goal. The biggest gains come from how you review. For every question, dissect not just the correct answer, but why every other choice was wrong. This trains your brain to recognize GMAT logic, not just content.
• Review with Precision and Depth - High scorers don’t move on after a right answer; they double down. Ask yourself: Why is this correct? Why is this one tempting but flawed? This active review builds the muscle memory needed to cut through tricky CR traps.
• Train Under Time Constraints Early - Build test-day pacing by simulating exam conditions in your practice. Early exposure to timing helps you develop internal clock awareness and learn how to manage stress while maintaining logic.
• Master Logical Structure, Not Just Content - Practice breaking arguments into premise → conclusion → assumption. Visualizing this logic chain gives you a framework to evaluate argument strength and predict answer types more accurately.
• Integrate with Other Verbal Sections - Don’t silo critical reasoning. The skills you build here (especially assumption spotting, logical evaluation, and inference) directly improve performance in reading comprehension and even data sufficiency. Think of CR as the backbone of GMAT verbal reasoning, not just a subsection to memorize.

Read: How to Study for the GMAT: GMAT Study Plans From an Expert GMAT Coach

How Critical Reasoning Relates to Other GMAT Skills

Mastering critical reasoning doesn’t just help with CR questions; it enhances your entire GMAT performance by sharpening the core skills required for logical thinking, quick evaluation, and argument analysis. Within the verbal section, CR complements reading comprehension and sentence correction, but it uniquely trains you to dissect the given argument, recognize flawed logic, and assess whether the following statements truly support a conclusion or simply distract.

These same reasoning structures carry over into other sections. In reading comprehension, for instance, you’ll encounter inference and “which of the following strongly supports” type questions that closely mirror CR logic. In data sufficiency, while the format is quantitative, your ability to assess further information and determine whether it's necessary or sufficient is grounded in the same skill set.

Even seemingly unrelated prompts, like an advertisement’s reasoning or abstract claims in a math scenario, test how well you track assumptions and evaluate logic. Top scorers also report that CR training makes them more efficient across the board: they better distinguish other answers that sound plausible from those that are logically airtight, improving speed and decision-making under pressure. Strong critical reasoning ability not only raises your verbal score, but it also changes how you think during the entire exam.

Final Tips Before Test Day

• Review answer choice patterns. The GMAT recycles certain logical structures, especially in trap answers. Spotting these patterns can help you eliminate wrong options faster.
• Understand the difference between strengthening and supporting. Strengthening directly bolsters the logic of the conclusion; supporting might simply add relevant information. That subtle difference often separates a 650 from a 750.
• Stay strictly within the scope of the stimulus. Don’t bring in outside knowledge or assumptions; GMAT CR is about what’s stated, not what feels true in real life.
• Trust your training. If you’ve been practicing deliberately, you’ve already seen most argument types and traps. Don’t second-guess under pressure; follow your logical process.
• Preview the question stem before reading the stimulus. Knowing whether you're being asked to strengthen, weaken, or infer will shape how you read and what you look for.
• Stick to process, not intuition. Gut feeling leads to tempting choices that “sound right”, but aren’t logically valid. Always verify answers against the argument structure.
• Prioritize rest and routine. CR performance drops sharply under fatigue. Protect your sleep and limit new material the night before.
• Simulate test-day conditions during final review. Use a quiet space, timed sections, and full-length practice blocks to reduce anxiety and build endurance.
• Focus on your mindset. Critical reasoning rewards clarity, not perfection. If you miss one, move on confidently; your overall strategy matters more than any single question.

Master GMAT Critical Reasoning With Expert Guide for a High Score!

Cracking GMAT critical reasoning isn’t about shortcuts; it’s about mastering the thinking habits that top scorers use every day. When you know how to deconstruct arguments, anticipate traps, and move with precision under pressure, CR questions become an opportunity, not an obstacle.

Work 1:1 with a top GMAT verbal coach who can diagnose your blind spots, sharpen your logic, and help you train like a 700+ scorer. Browse GMAT CR coaches here. Also, join GMAT test prep bootcamps and free events for more strategic insights!

Read: The 10 Best GMAT Tutors

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FAQs

What’s the best way to improve at GMAT critical reasoning?

• The fastest way to improve is by learning how to break down arguments, recognize question types, and practice timed questions with detailed review.

How can I tell the difference between assumption and inference questions

• Assumption questions ask what must be true for the argument to work; inference questions ask what must logically follow from the given information.

Why do I keep falling for wrong answers that sound right?

• CR trap answers are designed to sound plausible. To avoid them, focus on the logical structure of the argument, not how convincing the wording feels.

Do critical reasoning skills help with other parts of the GMAT?

• Yes, the logic you build in CR also strengthens your performance in reading comprehension and data sufficiency by improving analytical precision.

How many CR questions should I practice daily to improve?

• Most experts recommend 10–20 high-quality, reviewed CR questions per day. The key is consistent, targeted practice, not just volume.