Beyond the core Weaken/Strengthen/Assumption family, the GMAT tests five additional CR question types. Each requires a distinct approach. These appear less frequently but are disproportionately tested at the 650+ level.

A) Evaluate the Argument

Evaluate questions ask for a piece of information whose answer — whether yes or no — would affect how well the argument holds up. You are not weakening or strengthening; you are finding the question that swings the argument either way.

Question stem signals: "Which of the following would be most useful to determine in evaluating the argument?" / "The answer to which of the following questions would be most helpful in evaluating the conclusion?"

• Strategy: identify the reasoning gap, then ask "what would I need to know to judge whether the conclusion follows?" The correct answer is a question (or a piece of information) that, if answered "yes," strengthens, and if answered "no," weakens — or vice versa.
• Test: substitute "yes" as the answer to the candidate question. Does it support the conclusion? Then substitute "no." Does it undermine it? If both directions affect the argument, it's the correct choice.
• Wrong answer trap: questions that would be interesting but whose yes/no answer wouldn't change the conclusion's strength.

B) Paradox / Discrepancy

Paradox questions present two apparently contradictory facts and ask you to find an explanation that makes both true simultaneously. You are not resolving which fact is correct — both facts are given as true. Your job is to explain how they can coexist.

Question stem signals: "Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox?" / "Which of the following best resolves the discrepancy?" / "Which most helps explain why…"

• Strategy: clearly identify the two contradictory facts before reading answer choices. Pre-think "what third factor would make both A and B true at the same time?"
• Correct answer: introduces a distinguishing factor — usually a context, a mechanism, or a hidden variable — that explains why both facts hold.
• Wrong answer traps: (1) answers that deny or contradict one of the two given facts; (2) answers that explain only one side of the paradox; (3) answers that are merely consistent with the stimulus but don't resolve the tension.

C) Bold-Faced (Role of a Statement)

Bold-faced questions present an argument with one or two portions in bold text. You must identify the role each bolded portion plays in the argument's structure.

Question stem signals: "In the argument above, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?" / "The bolded statement plays which role in the argument?"

• Identification framework: for each bolded portion, determine: (a) is it the author's view or an opposing view? (b) is it a premise, a conclusion, or a sub-conclusion? (c) does it support or oppose the main conclusion?
• Process: map the full argument before reading answer choices. Find the main conclusion first. Then ask whether each bold portion supports or opposes it, and whether it represents the author's own position or a position being countered.
• Match both parts: correct answers must accurately describe BOTH bolded portions. Eliminate any choice where either part is wrong.
• Common structure: first bold = background/opposing evidence; second bold = the author's main conclusion that contradicts or qualifies it.

D) Parallel Reasoning

Parallel Reasoning questions ask you to find an answer whose logical structure is identical to the structure of the stimulus argument. Topic is irrelevant — only the abstract logical form matters.

Question stem signals: "Which of the following is most similar in its reasoning to the argument above?" / "The argument above is most similar in structure to which of the following?"

• Strategy: abstract the stimulus into a template.
  Example: "Because all members of group A share property P, this specific instance of A must have P." Then find the answer that uses the same template — regardless of subject matter.
• Match validity: if the stimulus is a valid argument (premises guarantee the conclusion), the answer must also be valid. If the stimulus is flawed (parallel reasoning with a flaw), find the answer with the same structural flaw.
• Wrong answer trap: answers with similar topic but different structure (e.g., "car problems" when the stimulus is about vehicles — similar surface, different logic).

E) Method of Reasoning

Method of Reasoning questions ask how the author argues — what technique or rhetorical strategy is used. You describe the argument's mechanics, not its content.

Question stem signals: "Which of the following best describes the method of reasoning used in the argument?" / "The argument proceeds by…"

• Common methods: drawing an analogy, citing a counterexample, identifying a causal relationship, making a statistical inference, appealing to authority, presenting a conditional if-then chain, eliminating alternatives, applying a general principle to a specific case.
• Correct answers use abstract, neutral language: "The argument identifies a correlation between two factors and then draws a causal conclusion." They describe the logical move, not the specific topic.
• Wrong answer trap: answers that describe the content of the argument rather than its structure, or that attribute a method the author does not actually use.

F) The 4-Step CR Process (All Types)

1. Read the question stem first — know what you are looking for before reading the stimulus. This primes your attention.
2. Read the stimulus actively — identify premise, conclusion, and reasoning gap as you read. For bold-faced, map the full structure before reading choices.
3. Pre-phrase an answer — before reading choices, formulate what the correct answer should do:
   • Assumption: "The author assumes _____ is true."
   • Strengthen: "What makes the conclusion MORE likely to follow?"
   • Weaken: "What breaks the link between premises and conclusion?"
   • Evaluate: "What question, if answered either way, would affect the argument?"
   • Paradox: "What third factor makes both A and B true?"
4. Eliminate aggressively — match your pre-phrase. Eliminate choices that are out of scope, reverse the logic, or address the wrong conclusion. Use negation test only for your final 1–2 assumption finalists.

G) Question Stem Quick Reference

H) Key Vocabulary Lists

Conclusion Indicators

therefore, thus, hence, so, consequently, as a result, it follows that, clearly, must, demonstrates, shows, indicates, suggests, implies, concludes, this means that, in conclusion

Premise Indicators

because, since, given that, for, as, due to, owing to, in light of, based on, in view of, after all, as evidenced by, for the reason that

Contrast / Reversal (signal a counterargument or opposing view)

however, but, yet, although, even though, despite, in spite of, nevertheless, on the other hand, conversely, whereas, while, notwithstanding

Hedging Language (usually correct in RC/CR)

may, might, could, suggest, imply, indicate, appear, seem, tend, often, sometimes, many, some, in some cases, generally, typically

Absolute Language (often too strong — usually wrong)

all, none, every, never, always, only, must, proves, eliminates, definitely, conclusively, entirely, completely