Well, when an article like this comes out, a lot of people will make ILLOGICAL conclusions based on the information given. The GMAT exam actually tests you on these very types of logic. If you fall for these logic questions, you will be be penalized on the GMAT exam!

Many people see the headlines with the word “Terrorist” and “Pakistani American” and automatically stereotype and become paranoid about any interaction with a Pakistani American. You cannot illogically conclude that any MBA graduate has the potential to be a terrorist. Nor can you conclude that any Pakistani American is likely to be a terrorist.

On the GMAT Critical Reasoning section, you will be given “background information.” Let the headlines of these terrorist related news articles on Faisal Shazad serve as your background information.

Then the GMAT guys might mention some hypothetical situation—either as part of the question or as a potential answer choice:

Now, of course common sense tells you that you should use extra precaution based on facts from the past. In this case, the fact is the suspected terrorist is a Pakistani American. So using extra precaution going forward makes sense.

However, be careful of keywords like “MUST” in critical reasoning questions. Reread the sentence above:

“”If a dark skinned, Pakistani American male adult were to walk through a heavily populated city like Washington, D.C., then the counter terrorism unit must order Jack Bauer to take him down.”

Notice answer choices with the word MUST tend to be red flags!

If you ever see anything that is potentially offensive to any racial/ethnic/social group on the GMAT exam, you know that answer choice is no good. In a way, spotting these kinds of inappropriate logic fallacies will help you eliminate answer choices quickly on the GMAT critical reasoning.