Understanding Performance Collapse in Layer-Pruned Large Language Models via Decision Representation Transitions

Abstract: Layer pruning efficiently reduces LLM computational costs but often triggers sudden performance collapse. Existing representation-based analyses struggle to explain this mechanism. We propose studying pruning through decision representation. Focusing on multiple-choice tasks, we introduce two metrics, Decision Margin and Option Frequency, and an Iterative Pruning method to analyze layer-wise decision dynamics. Our findings reveal a sharp decision transition that partitions the network into two stages: a Silent Phase, where the model cannot yet predict the correct answer, and a Decisive Phase, where the correct prediction emerges. We also find that pruning the Decisive Phase has minimal impact, whereas pruning the Silent Phase triggers immediate performance collapse, highlighting its extreme sensitivity to structural changes. Therefore, we conclude that pruning-induced collapse stems from disrupting the Silent Phase, which prevents the critical decision transition from occurring.