MGMAT CAT CR WEAKEN

[rishisbook]

According to a recent research study, more than 90% percent of graduates of private high schools in a certain county continue their education in college. By contrast, only 65% of graduates of public high schools subsequently pursue college education. Therefore, if parents in the county wish to increase the likelihood that their children will attend college, they should send them to private rather than public schools.

Which of the following statements would most seriously weaken the argument above?

A. Graduates of private schools typically score higher on standardized tests and other tests of academic achievement.

B. While private schools are typically very expensive, attendance of public school is free for the residents of the county.

C. In comparison with graduates of private schools, a substantially greater proportion of public school graduates receive need-based financial aid for their college education.

D. In comparison with private schools, public schools provide more opportunities for student involvement in sports and other athletic activities, which almost always increase the likelihood of students’ acceptance to colleges.

E. Since most public schools are located in rural areas of the county populated primarily by farmers, nearly 30% of students from public high schools choose to pursue farming occupations rather than apply to colleges.

Correct Answer E.
I do not no how the answer could be E. Plus the explanation in the CAT did not make full sense. Could you please help in decode the explanation.

[tim]

tell us more about what was inadequate about the explanation so we can help explain it in a way that will work for you..

[sabharwal.bhavna]

Why could not the answer be D. It mentions that public schools provide more opportunities for students to be accepted at colleges.
E talks of a general trend. Students from farming background may not pursue further education at college but the same cannot be true of students from other family background. Kindly throw light on it.

[boaz.khan]

(E) is the clear winner here.

Let's assume for a second that (D) is the correct answer, that Public High schools provide more opportunities for students to be accepted at colleges, but what if the students are NOT interested in college in the first place? Maybe students are more interested in starting their own business, become the next mark zuckerberg :). So does it really matter that they should attend private schools? No.
In this case, 30% of public high school students choose to pursue farming occupations.

Hope this helps.

[sabharwal.bhavna]

I get it now. For answer choice E, I assumed that students at public schools will have a farming background and thus would like to continue their parental occupations. But this is not the case. These schools are located in rural areas where the population is mostly into agriculture. Thus, there are more opportunities to pursue agriculture as an occupation or business. We cannot assume that majority or all of the students in these public schools will come from rural families only. There must be students from different regions having an urban background.

[tim]

let us know if you have any other questions about this one..