Logical reasoning PrepTest 125 · Section 4 · Question 3

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen with Necessary Premise

Stimulus Summary:
Step 1) Give each country's students a test
Step 2) See which country does best
Step 3) Have all countries switch to that school system
Conclusion - All countries will have the best school system for their needs

Answer Anticipation:
The conclusion is very specific to each individual country here—it discusses what school system will work "best for [the country]". However, the process as we outlined it in the Summary will result in each country having the same school system—whichever one has the students with the best test results.

But that school system might not have the same effect in every country. There may be other key differences that prevent a given system that works very well in one country from doing the same in another. For instance, if the "best" school system relies on parental involvement, but another country generally sees both parents working, then that system might not translate well to another country.

The argument is therefore relying on the countries being sufficiently similar to ensure that what works in one country will work in all countries. Any answer that states this, or brings a relevant similarity, should be considered (though the latter will have to be analyzed to see if that similarity is necessary).

Answer Explanation:
This answer straight up says that something that works well in one country will work well in all other countries. If that's not the case—if the "best" system as highlighted by the process in the stimulus won't work best in all other countries—then the conclusion that "[a]ny country" can find the best school system through this process is wrong.

Key Takeaway:
Whenever a process is outlined, make sure you understand it, step-by-step. It makes it a lot easier to see what the results of the process will be and identify any discrepancy between those results and the conclusion.

Incorrect. If anything, by including private school students, the sample is unrepresentative of the conclusion (which is about public schools), thus weakening the argument.

Incorrect. The argument suggests adopting the system of the country with the best scores, not stapling together features from a few different systems to create a Franken-school, so this answer is out of scope. There's no need to see the specific differences that led to the higher scores if you're adopting a system wholesale.

Incorrect. The process could still work even if the test and the infrastructure to administer it would need to be created from scratch in each country, so this answer isn't necessary.

Incorrect. As long as the tests are grade-level appropriate, the testing doesn't have to target the same grade levels. If one country's fifth and ninth graders score significantly higher than another country's third and twelfth graders, then there's a good chance that the overall student population in the former country is stronger.