Verbal Reasoning

Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension are the only two types. Sentence Correction was removed — grammar and usage are no longer tested.

23 questions in 45 minutes, split between Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning.

A premise is the supporting evidence or stated fact the argument offers; the conclusion is the claim the author wants you to accept, drawn FROM the premises.

An assumption is an UNSTATED premise the argument depends on — the logical gap-filler linking evidence to conclusion. Unlike a stated premise, it is never written out.

Background information sets context but is not the evidence that directly supports the conclusion. Distinguishing it prevents you from attacking or defending an irrelevant detail.

The main conclusion is the claim that everything else (including the sub-conclusion) ultimately supports; the sub-conclusion is itself supported by a premise but then used as support for the main claim. Ask 'why?' — the main conclusion is never used to prove anything else.