Recent assessments have revealed that many students entering college lack the critical thinking skills necessary for academic success, with standardiz...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Recent assessments have revealed that many students entering college lack the critical thinking skills necessary for academic success, with standardized test scores showing declining performance in analytical reasoning over the past decade. In response to this concern, several universities have begun implementing 'metacognitive training programs' that explicitly teach students how to monitor and regulate their own thinking processes. Early results from pilot programs at three major institutions suggest that students who complete this training show significant improvements in problem-solving assessments compared to control groups.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
It describes a common educational practice, then discusses recent innovations that have improved upon that practice.
It outlines competing approaches to student assessment, then evaluates which method produces more accurate results.
It identifies an educational problem, then presents a strategy that institutions are using to address that problem.
It presents conflicting research findings about student performance, then describes a study that has resolved the contradiction.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Recent assessments have revealed that many students entering college lack the critical thinking skills necessary for academic success,' |
|
| 'with standardized test scores showing declining performance in analytical reasoning over the past decade.' |
|
| 'In response to this concern, several universities have begun implementing 'metacognitive training programs' that explicitly teach students how to monitor and regulate their own thinking processes.' |
|
| 'Early results from pilot programs at three major institutions suggest that students who complete this training show significant improvements in problem-solving assessments compared to control groups.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Universities are implementing metacognitive training programs to address the problem of students lacking critical thinking skills needed for college success.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes that there's a significant problem with college students' critical thinking abilities, supported by declining standardized test performance. It then describes how universities are responding with a specific training approach and presents early evidence that this strategy is working.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, we can see the passage follows a clear two-part structure
- First, it identifies and explains a problem - that college students are entering without adequate critical thinking skills, backed up by evidence of declining test scores
- Then, it shifts to describing how institutions are responding to this problem with a specific strategy - metacognitive training programs - and provides evidence that this approach is showing promise
It describes a common educational practice, then discusses recent innovations that have improved upon that practice.
- Claims the passage describes a common educational practice first, but the passage starts with a problem, not an existing practice
It outlines competing approaches to student assessment, then evaluates which method produces more accurate results.
- Suggests the passage outlines competing approaches to assessment, but we only see one approach mentioned
It identifies an educational problem, then presents a strategy that institutions are using to address that problem.
- Accurately captures the two-part structure: first part identifies an educational problem, second part presents a strategy that institutions are using
It presents conflicting research findings about student performance, then describes a study that has resolved the contradiction.
- Claims there are conflicting research findings presented, but the passage presents consistent evidence throughout