#26 - The number of applications for admission reported by

[Adam Tyson]

The fact that answer B is irrelevant is exactly why it is the correct answer, goldol1021, because this is a Weaken-EXCEPT question. The correct answer will NOT weaken the argument, while the four wrong answers all will weaken it. Answer C weakens the argument because it gives an alternate explanation for the decline in the number of applications reported. Therefore, it is a wrong answer. Select the answer that does NOT weaken the argument - irrelevant answer B!

[somii_ii]

Hello,

After reading the explanations I am still unable to understand why one would pick answer choice B over D. D is supposedly out of scope for the question, however why is B not out of scope?

(B): How does the average age of applicants applying for the Ph.D. have anything to do with the interest presented in the conclusion of the stimulus?
(D): I picked D and I understand now that it is irrelevant to the conclusion in the stimulus, however looking at (B) and (D), if this question was on an exam, I would not be able to definitively pick answer choice B, because I see the B as irrelevant as well. While I see that B is an answer choice where it doesn't strength or weaken the conclusion, is D not the same?

[Dana D]

Hey Somi,

If we want to know whether answer choice (D) has an effect on the argument, let's assume it is true and apply it to the stimulus.

Now we have an argument that tells us the number of applicants to PHD programs in art history is down, and the reason is because there is a decline in interest in choosing an art history career. However, (D) tells us there has been an increase of employers willing to hire for jobs in art history without requiring a PHD.

So, what if people are still pursuing art history careers and they just don't need a PHD anymore and that's why the applicants to the PHD programs are down? This possibility weakens the cause and effect argument by introducing another potential cause (less jobs require a doctorate) that would explain the effect (less applicants for the doctorate program).