Strengthen & Weaken

STEP 1
Identify the Question Stem
Strengthen
  • "most helps to strengthen"
  • "most supports the argument"
  • "answer choices, if true, most helps to strengthen"
  • "following, if true, most justifies"
  • "principles, if true, most support"
Weaken
  • "most seriously weakens"
  • "calls into question"
  • "most undermines the argument"
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Key Insights
Assume the answer choices are true.
The question stem is telling you to take each answer choice as fact and apply it to the stimulus.
More or less likely — not prove or disprove.
You don't need a slam dunk. The answer just needs to move the needle in the right direction.
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STEP 2
Read & Analyze the Stimulus
a Identify Premise(s) & Conclusion
What's the evidence and what's the author arguing?
b Core Argument
Simplified Premise
→
Conclusion
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STEP 3
Prediction
  • Identify the gap — what's missing between Premise & Conclusion?
Keep in mind: These questions are not prediction-friendly. Spotting the gap is helpful, but don't get married to your phrasing. The exact answer may look different than what you predicted.
Use frameworks to guide your thinking:
  • Part to Whole
  • Cost vs. Benefit
  • Correlation to Causation
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STEP 4
Answer Choice Strategy
1 Is the answer choice relevant?
Relevancy is a low bar. Don't ask "is this idea mentioned?" — ask "could this apply to the context or premise?" If yes, go to Step 2. If not, move on.
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2 Does AC + Premise strengthen or weaken the Conclusion?
Combine the answer choice with the premise. Does it make the conclusion more likely (strengthen) or less likely (weaken)?
✓ Strengthen: AC + Premise → Conclusion is MORE likely
✓ Weaken: AC + Premise → Conclusion is LESS likely
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