I was talking to a student today about Complete the Passage CR arguments (people also call these the Fill in the Blank questions). The student was struggling with these and talking about them as though they were their own category. The problem: they’re not actually a separate category at all!

Try this GMATPrep © problem out (it’s from the free set that comes with the software) and then we’ll talk about it. Give yourself about 2 minutes (though it’s okay to stretch to 2.5 minutes on a CR as long as you are making progress.)

“Which of the following best completes the passage below?

“People buy prestige when they buy a premium product. They want to be associated with something special. Mass-marketing techniques and price reduction strategies should not be used because ________________

“(A) affluent purchasers currently represent a shrinking portion of the population of all purchasers

“(B) continued sales depend directly on the maintenance of an aura of exclusivity

“(C) purchasers of premium products are concerned with the quality as well as with the price of the products

“(D) expansion of the market niche to include a broader spectrum of consumers will increase profits

“(E) manufacturing a premium brand is not necessarily more costly than manufacturing a standard brand of the same product”

Step 1: Identify the Question

The blank line immediately leaps to eye of course: as soon as you see that, you know you have an argument in the “complete the passage” format.

What kind of question type is it? Actually these fall into one of the regular types that you already know: Strengthen, Weaken, Find the Assumption, Inference, and so on. The trick is that it’s a bit harder to tell which type.

The majority of Complete the Passage questions are Strengthen. The second most common category is Find the Assumption. Typically, if you see the word because or since right before the underline (as in this problem), then you probably have a Strengthen question. The word because (or since) indicates that the correct answer will add a piece of evidence to support some statement. You’ll need to read the argument to be sure, but you can have a pretty strong hunch.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Argument

This is likely a strengthen question, so it should contain a conclusion.

Here’s what I thought and wrote while I did the problem. Your own thought process won’t be exactly the same as mine and, of course, your notes will probably look quite different, since we all have our own ways of abbreviating things. (Note: S = strengthen; at first I put a question mark next to it because I wasn’t 100% sure until I finished the argument.)

If the conclusion is NOT to use mass-marketing techniques and price reduction strategies because of some reason, then that reason must support that conclusion. This is, indeed, a Strengthen question.

Step 3: State the Goal

The goal on Strengthen questions is to find a new piece of information that makes the conclusion at least a little more likely to be valid. I’m trying to validate the idea that you should NOT use certain strategies. (Note: in Complete the Passage format, sometimes the correct answer won’t really be new; it will mostly just restate something that the argument already said. This is acceptable as long as it strengthens!)

Why not? The first two sentences said that premium products are all about prestige and “something special.” If you’re trying to sell premium products, then, mass-market techniques probably aren’t going to make people feel “special.” Likewise, a reduction in price doesn’t scream “premium product!” We expect premium products to cost more and we don’t expect everyone in the world to have them.

I’m going to keep that in mind while I examine the answers!

Work from Wrong to Right

The correct answer is (B).

Note that answers (A) and (D) both seem to go along with the idea that we might want to use mass-marketing techniques or price-reduction strategies. Both are trap answers designed to catch someone who didn’t notice or forgot that the conclusion says these strategies should NOT be used.

Looking for more help on Critical Reasoning? Check out the Master Resource List for Critical Reasoning.

Take-aways for Complete the Passage formats:

(1) These are not a separate question type. A “complete the passage” question falls into one of the same categories as all other questions; you have to figure out which it is.

(2) Most often, these questions are Strengthen (as in the above case) or Find the Assumption. If you see the word because or since right before the underline, you probably have a Strengthen question. If you see something else, then you may have an Assumption question instead.

(3) As with any CR question, the key is to identify the type of question and follow the standard process from there!

* GMATPrep © questions courtesy of the Graduate Management Admissions Council. Usage of this question does not imply endorsement by GMAC.”

“Prepping in 14 days is obviously not the ideal situation. There are limits to how much you can learn in such a short period of time.

Still, sometimes people get stuck. Maybe you haven’t gotten the GMAT score that you need to be competitive at a particular school and 2^nd-round deadlines are fast approaching. Maybe you’re on a waitlist and the school has indicated that your chances would be better if you could lift your score. Whatever the circumstance, there are some things that you can do to try to achieve a score boost in a short period of time.

Make no mistake: you’re going to have to work hard! You’re going to live, sleep, and breath the GMAT for the next two weeks. You’ll also need to set realistic expectations for yourself: nobody is going to jump from a 500 to a 720 in two weeks.

Getting Started: Time and Resources

First, if you can take these two weeks off of work (or at least some of the time), then do so. You’re about to undertake a mental marathon; you can’t waste brain energy on many other mental tasks and still get through your GMAT tasks effectively.

If you can’t, then cancel all of your other plans. Outside of work, you’re only going to be working on the GMAT.

Second, it’s important to identify your study resources and set up a solid plan from the start. You don’t have the luxury of trying something for a week (or even a few days!) and then discovering that it isn’t working for you.

At the least, you need the materials in the below list. The starred (*) materials are made by GMAC (the company that makes the real test); GMAC’s materials consist of real, past GMAT questions.

It’s best to practice using real problems, but note that practice problems don’t actually teach you how to get better at the test. You’ll also need material designed to teach you how to get better—this is what test prep companies do.

1. *The Official Guide for GMAT® Review, 13^th Edition
2. *GMATPrep CATs (practice exams)
3. Additional practice exams that give you performance data (any test prep company, including ours, sells these)
4. Materials that teach you all of the math and verbal facts you need to know as well as strategies for answering different kinds of math and verbal questions
5. Test-taking strategies, including time management, educated guessing, and so on

Items 4 and 5 might come in the form of books, online lessons, classes, or even private tutoring. Expect to spend some money, particularly because you’re trying to do this in 14 days!

Day 0: Read Two Articles

Before you do anything, learn what the GMAT really tests.

Next, learn about the second level of GMAT study.

Read more

“

We invite you to test your GMAT knowledge for a chance to win! Each week, we will post a new Challenge Problem for you to attempt. If you submit the correct answer, you will be entered into that week’s drawing for a free Manhattan GMAT Prep item. Tell your friends to get out their scrap paper and start solving!

Here is this week’s problem:

Which of the following is the largest?

(A) 2^27.3

(B) 3^18.2

(C) 5^11.1

(D) 7^9.1

(E) 11^5.1

Read more

“Here are the free GMAT events we’re holding this week. All times are local unless otherwise specified.

11/24/13– Online – Free Trial Class- 5:00PM- 8:00PM (EDT)

11/24/13- Chicago, IL- Free Trial Class- 2:00PM- 5:00PM

11/25/13-Online- Essay Writing Workshop presented by mbaMission- 7:00PM- 8:30PM (EST)

11/25/13–  Santa Clara, CA- Free Trial Class- 6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/25/13– Online- Free Trial Class - 9:00PM- 12:00AM (EST)

Looking for more free events? Check out our Free Events Listings Page.”

“Manhattan Prep is offering special full tuition scholarships for up to 16 individuals per year (4 per quarter) who will be selected as part of Manhattan GMAT’s Social Venture Scholars program. This program provides the selected scholars with free admission into one of Manhattan GMAT’s live online Complete Courses (a $1290 value).

These competitive scholarships are offered to individuals who (1) currently work full-time in an organization that promotes positive social change, (2) plan to use their MBA to work in a public, not-for-profit, or other venture with a social-change oriented mission, and (3) demonstrate clear financial need. The Social Venture Scholars will all enroll in a special online preparation course taught by two of Manhattan GMAT’s expert instructors within one year of winning the scholarship.

The deadline our next application period is December 6, 2013.

Details about the SVS program and how you can apply can be found here.”

“

We invite you to test your GMAT knowledge for a chance to win! Each week, we will post a new Challenge Problem for you to attempt. If you submit the correct answer, you will be entered into that week’s drawing for a free Manhattan GMAT Prep item. Tell your friends to get out their scrap paper and start solving!

Here is this week’s problem:

Right triangle ABO is drawn in the xy-plane, with OB as hypotenuse, where O is at the origin and B at (15, 0). What is the area of the triangle?

(1) The x– and y-coordinates of all three points are non-negative integers.

(2) No two sides of the triangle have the same length.

Read more

“Here are the free GMAT events we’re holding this week. All times are local unless otherwise specified.

11/17/13– Online – Free Trial Class-  7:00AM- 10:00AM (EDT)

11/17/13- Santa Monica, CA- Free Trial Class- 5:30PM- 8:30PM

11/18/13-Boston, MA- Free Trial Class- 6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/18/13–  Austin, TX- Free Trial Class- 6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/19/13– Toronto, ON- Free Trial Class - 6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/19/13– Online- MBA Admissions Myths Destroyed presented by mbaMission- 5:00PM- 6:30PM (EDT)

11/19/13– Online - Free Trial Class-  8:00PM- 11:00PM (EDT)

11/20/13– New York, NY- Essay Writing Workshop presented by mbaMission-  7:00PM- 8:30PM

11/21/13– Online- Thursdays with Ron- 7:00PM- 8:30PM (EST)

11/21/13– Boston, MA- Choosing the Right B-School presented by mbaMission- 7:00PM-8:30PM

11/23/13– New York, NY - Free Trial Class- 2:00PM-5:00PM

Looking for more free events? Check out our Free Events Listings Page.”

“

We invite you to test your GMAT knowledge for a chance to win! Each week, we will post a new Challenge Problem for you to attempt. If you submit the correct answer, you will be entered into that week’s drawing for a free Manhattan GMAT Prep item. Tell your friends to get out their scrap paper and start solving!

Here is this week’s problem:

In the diagram above, triangle ABC is equilateral, figure SQRE is a square, and A is the midpoint of SQ. If the perimeter of triangle ABC is 6 inches, what is the length, in inches, of segment RY ?

Read more

“Here are the free GMAT events we’re holding this week. All times are local unless otherwise specified.

11/11/13– Durham, NC – Free Trial Class-  6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/11/13- Online- Free Trial Class- 8:00PM- 11:00PM (EDT)

11/11/13-Online- Live Online GMAT Preview- 9:00PM- 10:30PM

11/11/13–  London- Free Trial Class- 6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/11/13– Ann Arbor, MI- Open House- Earn $100/hr Teaching with Manhattan Prep - 5:30PM- 6:30PM

11/12/13– San Diego, CA- Free Trial Class- 6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/12/13– Santa Monica, CA - Free Trial Class-  6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/13/13– Arlington, VA- Free Trial Class -  6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/13/13– Glendale, CA  -Free Trial Class – 7:00PM- 8:30PM

11/13/13– San Francisco, CA- Free Trial Class- 6:30PM-9:30PM

11/14/13– New York, NY - Free Trial Class- 6:30PM-9:30PM

11/14/13– Online - Free Trial Class-  9:00PM- 12:00AM

11/14/13– Chicago, IL - Free Trial Class-  6:30PM- 9:30PM

11/14/13– Washington, DC - Free Trial Class- 6:30PM-9:30PM

11/17/13– Santa Monica, CA - Free Trial Class-  5:30PM- 8:30PM

11/17/13-Online - Free Trial Class-  7:00AM- 10:00AM (EDT)

Looking for more free events? Check out our Free Events Listings Page.“

“

We invite you to test your GMAT knowledge for a chance to win! Each week, we will post a new Challenge Problem for you to attempt. If you submit the correct answer, you will be entered into that week’s drawing for a free Manhattan GMAT Prep item. Tell your friends to get out their scrap paper and start solving!

Here is this week’s problem:

How many different pairs of integers (a, b) exist such that 2 < a < 200 and a + b > a^b ?  (Two pairs of numbers are considered different if either a or b differs.  For example, (2, 3) and (2, 4) are considered different, although they don’t satisfy the requirements of this problem.)

Read more