Logical reasoning PrepTest 142 · Section 2 · Question 25

Incorrect. If there were several options for candidates with relevant experience, then the students should have chosen between those candidates based on their expressed preference, not a candidate without that experience.

Incorrect. If the students were prioritizing such experience, then why did they pick someone without that experience when they had several options for people with it.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't explain why they picked someone on the list without the experience they said they were prioritizing.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Paradox

Stimulus Summary:
Poll data point 1 – Students want a university president with extensive experience in that role
Poll data point 2 – Students' preferred candidate has never served as a university president

Answer Anticipation:
The paradox here is that the students made a selection that runs counter to their stated preferences. Most wanted a university president with extensive experience; most listed as their #1 choice (from a list) someone without that experience.

The correct answer will have to provide a reason that the students selected someone who doesn't fit their stated preferences. For example, maybe no one on the list had extensive experience as a university president. Remember, though, that the correct answer can't call information from the paradox into question—the students would prefer someone with experience, and we're tasked with explaining why they selected someone against their preferences.

Answer Explanation:
If the students were unaware of the experience of the candidates and in fact didn't know if anyone had the requisite experience they said they were prioritizing, then they would have selected someone based on other criteria, thus potentially selecting someone without that experience. This answer explains their choice running against their stated preferences by establishing that they lacked relevant knowledge.

Key Takeaway:
Make sure to clearly frame the paradox in Paradox questions. It can be easy to explain away the wrong thing in the answer choices! For example, answer choice (E) provides a reason to think that someone without experience would make a good president—but that doesn't address the paradox around student preferences!

Incorrect. The paradox was that students said they preferred someone with experience and selected someone without it. This answer explains why selecting someone without that experience would result in a strong candidate, but not why the students picked someone that didn't match their stated preferences.