Recent research by Dr. Maria Santos on student academic outcomes revealed that traditional predictors like standardized test scores provide only...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Recent research by Dr. Maria Santos on student academic outcomes revealed that traditional predictors like standardized test scores provide only partial explanations for success, suggesting that achievement in higher education may be _____ social and emotional factors such as resilience, peer relationships, and campus engagement.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
shaped by
independent of
prior to
substituted for
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Recent research by Dr. Maria Santos on student academic outcomes revealed that traditional predictors like standardized test scores provide only partial explanations for success," |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
| "social and emotional factors such as resilience, peer relationships, and campus engagement." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Santos research suggests that success in higher education involves social and emotional factors beyond just standardized test scores.
Argument Flow: The passage presents research that challenges the completeness of traditional academic predictors, then connects this limitation to the importance of social and emotional factors in student success.
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
- The logic flow is clear: if traditional predictors only provide partial explanations, then there must be other factors that also influence success
- The missing word or phrase needs to show that achievement in higher education is influenced by or depends on these social and emotional factors
shaped by
- "Shaped by" creates the logical connection we need
- If test scores only partially explain success, then success must be influenced by other factors
- Shows social and emotional factors actively influence academic achievement
independent of
- "Independent of" means not influenced by these factors
- This contradicts the entire logic about insufficient traditional predictors
prior to
- "Prior to" indicates a time sequence, not a causal relationship
- Does not address the logical gap about what else influences success
substituted for
- "Substituted for" means replaced by these factors
- This would suggest social factors replace academic achievement entirely, which does not make logical sense