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A strengthening statement supports an argument, but an assumption is its backbone. Every assumption strengthens, yet not every strengthener is an assumption. The key difference is necessity: if an assumption is false, the argument collapses; a strengthener supports but it not necessary.
A strengthening statement strengthens the argument and need not be necessarily true for the argument to hold.
An assumption statement strengthens the argument and must be necessarily true for the argument to hold.
Strengthening statements and assumptions both connect premises to conclusions, yet their roles differ in necessity. A strengthener adds persuasive force, while an assumption is indispensable – without it, the argument collapses. This overview introduces how to distinguish the two, with clear examples highlighting the role of necessity. Understanding this difference refines accuracy in GMAT prep and fosters sharper evaluation skills relevant to MBA admissions. The upcoming video and article expand on these distinctions, helping learners build a structured approach to reasoning and argument analysis.
In GMAT Critical Reasoning, every argument is built on a premise and leads to a conclusion. Between them lies a gap, that we at Experts’ Global call the missing-link. Identifying and addressing this gap is the heart of solving these questions.
Both Strengthening statements and Assumptions deal with this gap, but they are not the same.
A Strengthening statement is any idea that fills the missing link and makes the argument more convincing. Consider this example:
Premise: The country has experienced 15 percent GDP growth.
Conclusion: The ruling party has done a good job and should stay in power.
One possible Strengthening statement is: “GDP growth is an important factor in deciding the performance of a political party.”
This fills the missing link by connecting GDP growth to political performance.
Importantly, this statement is also an Assumption because if GDP growth were not an important factor, the conclusion would collapse.
Another Strengthening statement might say: “GDP growth is the most important factor in judging political performance.”
This also fills the gap and strengthens the argument.
However, it is not an Assumption, because the argument can still stand even if GDP growth is simply an important factor, not the most important one.
The distinction lies in necessity.
An Assumption is a very specific kind of Strengthening statement. It is not just helpful, it is required. If the assumption is false, the argument cannot hold.
For the GDP example, the statement that “GDP growth is an important factor in judging the performance of a political party” is an Assumption because, without it, the argument entirely falls apart.
Students often confuse these two. Every Assumption strengthens, but not every Strengthening statement is an Assumption. A choice that says “15 percent GDP growth is the highest in 100 years” strengthens the argument, but it is not required for the conclusion. Even if the growth was not the highest, 15 percent could still be taken as good performance. Hence, this is not an Assumption.
Recognizing this difference is essential for success. Assumption questions demand that you find what must be true, while Strengthening questions ask for what simply makes the argument stronger. The earlier you grasp this distinction, the easier your journey through Critical Reasoning will become.
| Aspect | Strengthening Statements | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Any statement that makes the argument more convincing by filling the missing link between premise and conclusion. | A special type of Strengthening statement that must be true for the argument to hold. Without it, the argument collapses. |
| Necessity | Helpful but not always essential. | Absolutely essential. If it is false, the argument fails. |
| Example (GDP growth) | “GDP growth is the most important factor in judging a party’s performance.” → Strongly supports the conclusion but not required. | “GDP growth is an important factor in judging a party’s performance.” → Must be true, otherwise the conclusion does not stand. |
| Scope | Broader. Many different kinds of statements can strengthen. | Narrower. Only the necessary condition that underlies the logic. |
| Relation | Every Assumption strengthens, but not every Strengthening statement is an Assumption. | Always a Strengthening statement, but with the extra condition of necessity. |
Strengthening statements and assumptions both connect premises and conclusions, but their distinction lies in necessity. Every assumption strengthens, yet not every strengthener is essential. If rejecting a statement collapses the argument, it is an assumption; if the argument still holds, it is only a strengthener. Recognizing this difference sharpens reasoning accuracy and prevents confusion in practice. Engaging with varied examples in GMAT simulations reinforces this clarity, ensuring systematic application under time pressure and building confidence across Critical Reasoning questions.
The difference between strengthening statements and assumptions reflects a deeper truth about reasoning itself: some ideas are helpful, but others are indispensable. In GMAT preparation, learning to separate what merely adds weight from what the argument cannot survive without builds intellectual discipline. In MBA applications, the same principle applies, as applicants must distinguish between surface details and the essential elements of their story. In life, too, clarity comes from knowing what is necessary. Each GMAT mock reinforces this wisdom, sharpening both logic and perspective beyond the exam.
