Evidence
Accepted information the argument uses.
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GMAT Verbal
Critical Reasoning Foundations
Break arguments into conclusion, evidence, and assumption before judging answer choices.
Mindset
Critical Reasoning is about logic, not what sounds persuasive.
The correct answer must match the task and be defensible from the argument structure.
Argument parts
An argument has a claim and support.
Conclusion = what the author is trying to prove. Evidence = facts offered in support. Assumption = an unstated bridge needed to connect them.
Evidence and conclusion play different roles.
Conclusion
The claim the evidence is supposed to support.
Gap
The logical gap sits between evidence and conclusion.
Many CR questions test whether you can identify, support, attack, or evaluate that missing bridge.
Task first
Read the question stem before evaluating choices.
- 01Strengthen
- 02Weaken
- 03Assumption
- 04Resolve paradox
- 05Inference
- 06Evaluate or method of reasoning
Scope
Outside knowledge is usually a warning sign.
Judge the argument using the stated facts and the logical relationship they create, not facts you happen to know about the topic.
Mini application
Try this: Sales rose after a new logo was introduced, so the logo caused the increase.
What hidden gap should you notice?
Solution
The argument assumes the sales increase was not caused by something else.
Timing alone does not establish causation. An alternative cause could explain the same evidence.
Remember this
Find conclusion, evidence, then gap.
Once those are clear, the question type tells you what the correct answer must do.