These top-down questions ask you to find another argument that uses the same reasoning or makes the same mistake as the argument in the passage.
Parallel Reasoning might sound like this:
Parallel Flaw question might sound like this:
The only difference is that the Parallel Reasoning involves matching an argument’s structure while Parallel Flaw focuses on matching an argument’s flaw. Parallel Reasoning passages aren’t usually flawed, but Parallel Flaw passages always are.
The two Parallel question types have similar attack strategies. These questions aren’t as hard as some people make them out to be. Here’s everything you need to know to master Parallel Reasoning and Parallel Flaw questions.
The correct answer will be analogous in reasoning, but not necessarily in topic, to the passage. Rather than trying to predict the answer word-for-word, focus on predicting which characteristic of the argument will be repeated in the correct answer.
Before you read the answer choices:
Martha: Our profits might drop. If they drop, we must buy more advertising or cut costs. We have already cut costs as much as possible. So if profits drop, we must buy more advertising.
To simplify the gist down to the structure of the argument, you might say:
Using the example above, a parallel argument on an unrelated topic could be: “My phone might die. If it does, I must hitchhike or walk. I’m not going to hitchhike. So if my phone dies, I must walk.” Try coming up with your own parallel argument!
In Parallel Flaw questions, the test-writers are telling you that this argument is flawed and that the premises don’t prove the conclusion. Ideally, you’ll pinpoint at least one problem by engaging with the passage the first time you read it. Take a moment to find one and articulate it in general terms.
Focus on exactly what the argument says to avoid subconsciously helping it. Don’t make the very assumptions that the test-writers are trying to hide. Your job is to catch those assumptions. If there are multiple flaws in the passage, Parallel Flaw questions typically focus on the most serious one.
Consider Ryan’s argument:
Ryan: Most cats are pets. Most pets go to a veterinarian doctor at least once every year. So at least some cats go to a doctor at least once every year.
In your head, talk through the argument’s flaws:
Even though most cats are pets and most pets go to the vet at least once a year, “most” just means “more than half.” It’s possible that 49% of all pets never go to the vet. Heck, maybe only dog owners take their pets to the vet!
We don’t know whether or not cats that are pets fall into that 49% of pets who never make it to the vet. We don’t know what percentage of pets never go. But we do know that those two situations are both possible, so the premises don’t prove the conclusion. This argument is flawed.
Restate the flaw in Ryan’s argument: “Just because most of one thing are a second thing, and most of the second thing do X, that doesn’t mean that some of the first thing do X. Maybe all of the first thing fall into the 49% of the second thing that don’t do X.”
The correct answer could incorporate a timeframe like the passage did, but it doesn’t need to.
You may have noticed that the second premise talks about a “veterinarian doctor” and the conclusion talks about a “doctor.” It works because all vets are doctors. It would’ve been a problem if the phrases “vet” and “doctor” had been reversed, because not all doctors are vets.
Once you’ve understood the flaw in general terms, come up with your own specific example using concrete ideas. For instance, the following argument matches Ryan’s flaw:
Most New Yorkers are Democrats, and most Democrats support unions. Therefore, at least some New Yorkers support unions.
When the test-writers ask you for “parallel reasoning,” they’re asking you to find an argument that uses the same kind of logic to justify its conclusion, even if the topics are different. Consider these two (mostly) parallel arguments:
The reasoning is not perfectly parallel, but it’s close enough. The goal is to look for the argument that is most parallel, and this argument has several important similarities:
The correct answer choice will be the one that most resembles the argument in the passage, regardless of the topic. Here are common ways the reasoning in two arguments look alike:
Many students psych themselves out about Parallel Reasoning and Parallel Flaw questions because they involve evaluating six different arguments. In reality, though, these question types are no more or less difficult in and of themselves. You might encounter a Parallel Reasoning question that’s easier than a Role question.
Questions earlier on in the section tend to be easier. If question #9 is a Parallel Reasoning question, chances are it won’t be very challenging. It’s worth a shot even if it isn’t your favorite question type.
If you’re going to skip any question, decide you’ll skip it right away and don’t waste any time on it. If you have time left at the end of the section you can come back to it.