PrepTest 139

Incorrect. This answer about "[s]ome" of the sales reps is too weak to influence the argument, and it doesn't tie these individuals to being among the best.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
Our best sales reps usually have engineering degrees but no sales experience, so we should hire based on engineering degree, not sales experience.

Answer Anticipation:
The premise in this argument is comparative - it talks about one group being the "best" at something. Relative terminology like that, however, doesn't speak to the actual skill level displayed. In other words, it's possible that the company's best sales reps are actually quite bad at selling. The tallest person of a group isn't necessarily tall; the tastiest food in a meal isn't necessarily tasty. The best sales reps in a company aren't necessarily good at their jobs.

Since the argument uses this relative term to recommend a course of action that highlights a belief that these sales reps are good at their jobs, we should look for an answer that establishes they're not, and thus a new philosophy should be used for future hirings.

Answer Explanation:
If this is the case, then it's not necessarily that an engineering degree makes one a good sales representative—they're just more common and thus, statistically, more likely to be among the good sales reps. This answer calls into question the connection in the stimulus, so it weakens the argument.

Key Takeaway:
Arguments that use comparative language can't jump to absolute determinations—someone can be the tallest member of a group but not tall, just as someone can be the best sales rep at a company but not very good.

Incorrect. First, there's no indication that this type of similarity between the sales rep and the customers would have any impact on sales. Second, even if it did, this answer might suggest that hiring people with an engineering degree is the right move, strengthening the argument.

Incorrect. If the argument stated that the company should only hire people with an engineering degree, or that they were very short-staffed on sales reps, then the supply of workers with such a degree might be relevant. Since it doesn't do that, this answer is out of scope.

Incorrect. This answer about "[s]ome" people isn't strong enough to undercut the argument, especially since it doesn't establish that any of these individuals lacked an engineering degree.