The gap in average monthly salaries between software engineers with master's degrees and those without such degrees increased significantly from 2010 to 2020. Some experts believe that the rising demand for skilled software engineers with advanced education led to higher salaries for these professionals.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously challenges the explanation provided above?

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Correct answer marked below

A significant number of software engineers without master's degrees were promoted to managerial positions during this period.

Correct

The overall job market for software engineers remained stable with minimal fluctuations in demand.

The average salary of software engineers with bachelor's degrees also increased during the same time frame.

Many companies began offering substantial bonuses to all software engineers, regardless of their educational background.

The number of software engineers entering the field with master's degrees rose dramatically over the decade.

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Explanation

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Official Explanation

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To determine which option most seriously undermines the explanation that rising demand for skilled software engineers with advanced education led to higher salaries, we need to analyze each option. The correct answer is the first option: 'A significant number of software engineers without master's degrees were promoted to managerial positions during this period.' This option suggests that the increase in…

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Comments

FrancescoMay 3, 2025

Good question

OscarApr 15, 2024

how much time should this take to solve?

Bish0pAug 31, 2024

Good question

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.