Logical reasoning PrepTest 131 · Section 2 · Question 3

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Banks process a very large number of transactions, but internal audit processes make it unlikely a large mistake will go undetected.

Answer Anticipation:
Interestingly, this Strengthen question doesn't involve an argument. Instead, it makes a claim, and we're looking for an answer choice that backs up that claim. In essence, it's given us a conclusion, and we're looking for a premise that supports it.

Since we're looking to support the claim, it's important we understand the scenario it raises. In this scenario, the bank accidentally credits an account with a large sum of money—so an error was made. It then states that the bank's internal processes are "extremely unlikely" to miss detecting that error. So we need a reason to believe that the bank will catch any large error it makes in crediting an account with money it shouldn't have.

Answer Explanation:
If banks are double-checking large transactions using two different pieces of software, then it makes it less likely that mistakes will make it through their processing, thus supporting the claim in the stimulus.

Key Takeaway:
When a Strengthen question provides you with a claim instead of with an argument, treat it as a conclusion. Then, head into the answers and find the one that would best serve as a premise for that conclusion. Remember—Strengthen questions don't require you to find an answer that proves the conclusion, just one that supports it.

Incorrect. The stimulus is about an accidental credit applied to an account, which wouldn't involve an in-person deposit (and it definitely wouldn't involve a withdrawal).

Incorrect. The statement in the stimulus credits the bank's internal audit procedures with catching any error—this answer, if anything, suggests that the customers would be responsible for checking their statement and flagging any error.

Incorrect. It seems that the number of transactions is the relevant metric, not the number of customer accounts, so this answer doesn't connect auditors to the relevant metric in the stimulus.

Incorrect. Hacking is out of scope of this argument. The stimulus is about a scenario where the bank catches a mistake it makes; this answer is about hackers being prevented from causing a mistake in the first place.