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Question: In a freshman biochemistry class at Newton University, the teacher assigns the class only ‘A’s, ‘B’s’ or ‘C’s. The average on the semester final for the class of 2012 was five points lower than that of the class of 2011. Therefore, the percent of students who received ‘C’s was greater in 2012 than in 2011.
Which of the following, if true, suggests the conclusion above is not necessarily valid?
- There was a greater number of students in the 2011 class than in the 2012 class.
- The percent of students who received ‘A’s in 2011 was less than in 2012.
- Five more students received ‘A’s in 2012 than in 2011.
- The same number of students received ‘B’s in 2011 as in 2012.
- The percent of students who received ‘B’s was greater in 2012 than in 2011.
Answer: C
Explanation:
Given that Newton University's freshman biochemistry teacher gives just A's, B's, and C's. 2012 had a five-point lower semester final average than 2011. Thus, in 2012, more students got "C"s than in 2011.
Because the average grade is lower, it is assumed that a greater proportion of students received Cs. Therefore, it is irrelevant how many persons there are in either year. We are discussing the mean grade and the proportion of students.
We intend to undermine the conclusion.
Let's approach the answer choices.
A: Incorrect
There was a greater number of students in the 2011 class than in the 2012 class.
This statement does not provide any information about the distribution of grades or the average on the semester final. It is unrelated to the conclusion and does not affect its validity. Therefore, this statement is not relevant.
B: Incorrect
The percent of students who received ‘A’s in 2011 was less than in 2012.
This statement supports the conclusion that the percentage of students who received 'C's was greater in 2012. If the percentage of students who received 'A's in 2011 was lower than in 2012, it suggests that more students received lower grades in 2011, which could contribute to a lower average on the final exam. Therefore, this statement does not weaken the conclusion.
C: Incorrect
Five more students received ‘A’s in 2012 than in 2011.
This statement does not provide information about the distribution of grades or the average on the semester final. It suggests that more students received 'A's in 2012, but it does not address the percentage of students who received 'C's. Therefore, this statement is not relevant to the conclusion.
D: Incorrect
This statement does not provide information about the distribution of grades or the average on the semester final. It implies that the number of students who received 'B's is the same in both years but does not address the percentage of students who received 'C's. Therefore, this statement is not relevant to the conclusion.
E: Correct
Students percentage for getting B grade was higher in 2012 compared to 2011.
This statement weakens the conclusion. If the percentage of students who received 'B's was greater in 2012, it suggests that more students received lower grades in 2012, which could contribute to a lower average on the final exam. It indicates that the increase in 'C' grades might not be solely responsible for the lower average. Therefore, this statement suggests that the conclusion is not necessarily valid.
“In a freshman biochemistry class at Newton University, the teacher assigns the class only ‘A’s, ‘B’s’ or ‘C’s” – is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.
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