One of the less obvious difficulties in GRE Critical Reasoning is that wrong answer choices are never accidental. Each one is deliberately engineered to take advantage of predictable thinking patterns. These options often seem logical or even convincing on a quick read, which is exactly why they catch test takers who move too fast or rely on instinct instead of analysis.

Consider a question that talks about “incompetent politicians.” An incorrect answer might suddenly bring up “corruption.” That connection is not random. The test writers know that many people naturally link politicians with corruption, and they use that mental shortcut to make an unsupported answer feel relevant, even when it has no logical backing in the argument.

This is central to what Critical Reasoning is actually testing. The GRE is not interested in whether a statement feels believable or aligns with your real-world opinions. It evaluates your ability to separate logic from assumptions, emotions, and familiar associations. In other words, it asks whether you can focus on what the argument proves, not what merely sounds reasonable.

When you come across tempting answer choices like these, pause and challenge your thinking with a few direct questions:

• Does this option truly connect to the argument’s conclusion or reasoning?
• Is it sneaking in new ideas, assumptions, or emotional cues?
• Am I choosing it because it feels right, or because the logic demands it?

Practicing this kind of self check trains you to recognize when the GRE is appealing to your biases rather than your reasoning skills. With enough repetition, these traps become easier to spot and easier to ignore.

Ultimately, success comes down to awareness. When you remind yourself that wrong answers are designed to sound right, you create enough distance to judge them objectively. This approach not only helps you avoid traps on the GRE but also sharpens your analytical thinking long after test day.

If you have questions about your GRE preparation, feel free to reach out. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep