Step by Step Approach

Step 1 — Identify the Question Stem

Look for language asking you to find a problem in the reasoning:

• "the argument is flawed because"
• "the reasoning is vulnerable to which criticism"
• "a flaw in the argument's reasoning" / "error in reasoning"

Step 2 — Analyze the Stimulus

• Identify the premise(s) and conclusion
• Simplify to the core argument: Premise → Conclusion

Step 3 — Prediction

Ask: what's the gap? Why doesn't the premise support the conclusion?

Flaw questions are prediction-friendly. If you can name the flaw before looking at the answers, you're very likely to find it.

Step 4 — Answer Choice Strategy

• 1. Is the answer choice descriptively accurate? Does every word match what the argument actually does? Check the noun, verb, and predicate.
• 2. If accurate, is it actually a flaw? Just because it describes the argument correctly doesn't mean it's identifying a problem.