[GMAT2012g5] GMAT2012 g12cat5 Kaplan CAT
Certification Review Guide
**Question 1.** In the GMAT adaptive algorithm, which of the following statements is true
about the first three questions of a section?
A) They are always of the same difficulty level.
B) Their difficulty is determined by the test‑taker’s performance on the preceding section.
C) They have the greatest influence on the final score because later questions are weighted less.
D) They are randomly selected from the pool of medium‑difficulty items.
Answer: B
Explanation: The first few items in each section are chosen based on the examinee’s
performance on the previous section, allowing the algorithm to quickly gauge ability and adjust
subsequent difficulty.
**Question 2.** Which time‑management technique is most effective for preventing the
“end‑of‑section” penalty?
A) Spending exactly 2 minutes on every question regardless of difficulty.
B) Marking difficult questions and returning to them only after completing all others.
C) Answering the easiest questions first and then guessing on the remainder.
D) Skipping the first question to save time for later items.
Answer: B
Explanation: Marking and revisiting difficult items ensures that easier questions are answered
quickly, reducing the chance of running out of time at the end of a section.
**Question 3.** According to the Kaplan method, the fourth step “Use Process of Elimination”
is most useful when:
A) The question stem contains a numeric answer.
B) All answer choices appear plausible after the first three steps.
C) The stimulus is a graph with no labels.
D) The problem is a data‑sufficiency question.
,[GMAT2012g5] GMAT2012 g12cat5 Kaplan CAT
Certification Review Guide
Answer: B
Explanation: Elimination is applied after analyzing the stem, stimulus, and predicting the
answer, especially when multiple choices still seem possible.
**Question 4.** In evaluating an argument for the AWA, identifying a “correlation vs.
causation” flaw primarily attacks which component?
A) The conclusion.
B) The evidence.
C) The underlying assumption.
D) The logical structure.
Answer: B
Explanation: Correlation‑vs‑causation errors involve misinterpreting evidence as proof of a
causal relationship, thereby weakening the argument’s support.
**Question 5.** Which of the following best describes a strong introduction for an AWA essay?
A) A brief summary of the article’s main points.
B) A statement of personal opinion on the topic.
C) A concise description of the argument’s logical flaw.
D) A list of evidence that will be discussed later.
Answer: C
Explanation: The introduction should pinpoint the argument’s logical weakness, setting up the
critique that follows.
**Question 6.** In a multi‑source IR problem, you are presented with three tabs: a paragraph, a
table, and a chart. Which strategy is most efficient?
A) Solve the problem using only the paragraph, ignoring the other tabs.
B) Combine data from all three tabs before attempting any calculations.
,[GMAT2012g5] GMAT2012 g12cat5 Kaplan CAT
Certification Review Guide
C) Identify which tab directly answers the question and focus on it first.
D) Convert the chart into a table before proceeding.
Answer: C
Explanation: Determining the primary source of needed information saves time; other tabs are
consulted only if additional data are required.
**Question 7.** When interpreting a scatter plot for an IR question, the slope of the best‑fit
line is positive. This indicates that:
A) The variables have a perfect negative correlation.
B) As one variable increases, the other tends to decrease.
C) There is no relationship between the variables.
D) As one variable increases, the other tends to increase.
Answer: D
Explanation: A positive slope shows a direct relationship, meaning the variables move together
in the same direction.
**Question 8.** In a two‑part analysis IR question, the first part asks for the sum of two
numbers, and the second part asks for the product of the same two numbers. Which approach
minimizes errors?
A) Solve the sum first, then use it to find the product.
B) Solve both parts simultaneously using simultaneous equations.
C) Guess the numbers based on the answer choices.
D) Solve the product first because it is more restrictive.
Answer: B
Explanation: Simultaneous equations ensure consistency between the two interrelated
components, reducing the risk of contradictory answers.
, [GMAT2012g5] GMAT2012 g12cat5 Kaplan CAT
Certification Review Guide
**Question 9.** Which integer is divisible by both 3 and 4?
A) 24
B) 26
C) 31
D) 45
Answer: A
Explanation: 24 ÷ 3 = 8 and 24 ÷ 4 = 6, so it meets both divisibility criteria.
**Question 10.** A number leaves a remainder of 2 when divided by 5 and a remainder of 3
when divided by 7. What is the smallest such positive integer?
A) 17
B) 23
C) 33
D) 38
Answer: B
Explanation: Solve the system: N = 5k + 2 and N = 7m + 3. Testing values gives N = 23 as the
smallest solution.
**Question 11.** If 30% of a number is 45, what is the number?
A) 135
B) 150
C) 165
D) 180
Answer: D
Explanation: 0.30 × x = 45 → x = .30 = 150. (Correction: Actually 45/0.30 = 150, so answer
B)
Certification Review Guide
**Question 1.** In the GMAT adaptive algorithm, which of the following statements is true
about the first three questions of a section?
A) They are always of the same difficulty level.
B) Their difficulty is determined by the test‑taker’s performance on the preceding section.
C) They have the greatest influence on the final score because later questions are weighted less.
D) They are randomly selected from the pool of medium‑difficulty items.
Answer: B
Explanation: The first few items in each section are chosen based on the examinee’s
performance on the previous section, allowing the algorithm to quickly gauge ability and adjust
subsequent difficulty.
**Question 2.** Which time‑management technique is most effective for preventing the
“end‑of‑section” penalty?
A) Spending exactly 2 minutes on every question regardless of difficulty.
B) Marking difficult questions and returning to them only after completing all others.
C) Answering the easiest questions first and then guessing on the remainder.
D) Skipping the first question to save time for later items.
Answer: B
Explanation: Marking and revisiting difficult items ensures that easier questions are answered
quickly, reducing the chance of running out of time at the end of a section.
**Question 3.** According to the Kaplan method, the fourth step “Use Process of Elimination”
is most useful when:
A) The question stem contains a numeric answer.
B) All answer choices appear plausible after the first three steps.
C) The stimulus is a graph with no labels.
D) The problem is a data‑sufficiency question.
,[GMAT2012g5] GMAT2012 g12cat5 Kaplan CAT
Certification Review Guide
Answer: B
Explanation: Elimination is applied after analyzing the stem, stimulus, and predicting the
answer, especially when multiple choices still seem possible.
**Question 4.** In evaluating an argument for the AWA, identifying a “correlation vs.
causation” flaw primarily attacks which component?
A) The conclusion.
B) The evidence.
C) The underlying assumption.
D) The logical structure.
Answer: B
Explanation: Correlation‑vs‑causation errors involve misinterpreting evidence as proof of a
causal relationship, thereby weakening the argument’s support.
**Question 5.** Which of the following best describes a strong introduction for an AWA essay?
A) A brief summary of the article’s main points.
B) A statement of personal opinion on the topic.
C) A concise description of the argument’s logical flaw.
D) A list of evidence that will be discussed later.
Answer: C
Explanation: The introduction should pinpoint the argument’s logical weakness, setting up the
critique that follows.
**Question 6.** In a multi‑source IR problem, you are presented with three tabs: a paragraph, a
table, and a chart. Which strategy is most efficient?
A) Solve the problem using only the paragraph, ignoring the other tabs.
B) Combine data from all three tabs before attempting any calculations.
,[GMAT2012g5] GMAT2012 g12cat5 Kaplan CAT
Certification Review Guide
C) Identify which tab directly answers the question and focus on it first.
D) Convert the chart into a table before proceeding.
Answer: C
Explanation: Determining the primary source of needed information saves time; other tabs are
consulted only if additional data are required.
**Question 7.** When interpreting a scatter plot for an IR question, the slope of the best‑fit
line is positive. This indicates that:
A) The variables have a perfect negative correlation.
B) As one variable increases, the other tends to decrease.
C) There is no relationship between the variables.
D) As one variable increases, the other tends to increase.
Answer: D
Explanation: A positive slope shows a direct relationship, meaning the variables move together
in the same direction.
**Question 8.** In a two‑part analysis IR question, the first part asks for the sum of two
numbers, and the second part asks for the product of the same two numbers. Which approach
minimizes errors?
A) Solve the sum first, then use it to find the product.
B) Solve both parts simultaneously using simultaneous equations.
C) Guess the numbers based on the answer choices.
D) Solve the product first because it is more restrictive.
Answer: B
Explanation: Simultaneous equations ensure consistency between the two interrelated
components, reducing the risk of contradictory answers.
, [GMAT2012g5] GMAT2012 g12cat5 Kaplan CAT
Certification Review Guide
**Question 9.** Which integer is divisible by both 3 and 4?
A) 24
B) 26
C) 31
D) 45
Answer: A
Explanation: 24 ÷ 3 = 8 and 24 ÷ 4 = 6, so it meets both divisibility criteria.
**Question 10.** A number leaves a remainder of 2 when divided by 5 and a remainder of 3
when divided by 7. What is the smallest such positive integer?
A) 17
B) 23
C) 33
D) 38
Answer: B
Explanation: Solve the system: N = 5k + 2 and N = 7m + 3. Testing values gives N = 23 as the
smallest solution.
**Question 11.** If 30% of a number is 45, what is the number?
A) 135
B) 150
C) 165
D) 180
Answer: D
Explanation: 0.30 × x = 45 → x = .30 = 150. (Correction: Actually 45/0.30 = 150, so answer
B)
