LSAT Explanation PT 29, S4, Q25: Formal performance evaluations in the professional

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning in the argument is questionable because the argument 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The argument can be broken down as follows:

Premise 1: Formal performance evaluations in the professional world are conducted using realistic situations.

Premise 2: Professionals (physicians, attorneys, physicists, and engineers) are allowed to consult reference materials during these evaluations.

Conclusion: Students should likewise have access to their textbooks during examinations.

The question type is a Flaw question, which asks us to identify the flaw in the reasoning of the argument.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Are the purposes of evaluations in the professional world and in school situations the same?"

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) This answer choice suggests that the examples given are insufficient to support the generalization that performance evaluations in the professional world are conducted in realistic situations. However, the passage does provide four examples, and while they may not be enough to prove the generalization, they do support it. This answer choice is not the best one.

b) This answer choice argues that the passage fails to consider the possibility that adopting its recommendation will not significantly increase most students' test scores. While this may be true, it is not directly related to the flaw in the reasoning of the argument. The focus of the argument is on the similarity between professional evaluations and student examinations, not on the impact on test scores.

c) This answer choice claims that the passage neglects to consider the fact that professionals were once students who also did not have access to textbooks during examinations. While this fact is true, it is not relevant to the flaw in the reasoning of the argument. The argument is focused on the similarity between professional evaluations and student examinations, not on the past experiences of professionals.

d) This answer choice asserts that the passage neglects to consider the fact that, unlike students, professionals have devoted many years of study to one subject. While this fact is true, it does not directly address the flaw in the reasoning of the argument. The argument is focused on the similarity between professional evaluations and student examinations, not on the amount of time professionals have spent studying.

e) This answer choice states that the passage fails to consider the possibility that the purposes of evaluation in the professional world and in school situations are quite dissimilar. This directly addresses the flaw in the reasoning of the argument, as the argument assumes that because professional evaluations and student examinations share some similarities, they should be conducted in the same way. However, it does not consider that they may have different purposes, which would affect how they should be conducted.

The correct answer is E.