GMAT Data Insights Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Data Insights deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. How are quartiles defined, and what is the interquartile range (IQR)?

   Q1 is the median of the lower half, Q2 is the overall median, Q3 is the median of the upper half. IQR = Q3 − Q1, capturing the middle 50% of data.

2. What is a percentile in statistical interpretation?

   The k-th percentile is the value below which k percent of the data falls. For example, the 90th percentile is the value exceeding 90% of observations.

3. How does adding a value equal to the current mean affect the mean of a data set?

   It leaves the mean unchanged, because the new value matches the existing average.

4. In Graphics Interpretation, what should you check first when reading any chart?

   The axis labels, units, and scale (including whether it is linear or logarithmic and whether it starts at zero) before interpreting any values.

5. What does a scatter plot show, and what does a trend line (line of best fit) represent?

   A scatter plot shows the relationship between two variables as points. The trend line summarizes the overall direction/strength of the correlation between them.

6. What does positive correlation versus negative correlation look like on a scatter plot?

   Positive correlation: points slope upward (as x increases, y increases). Negative correlation: points slope downward (as x increases, y decreases).

7. Why does correlation not imply causation in scatter-plot interpretation?

   Two variables can move together due to coincidence or a third (confounding) variable; the chart shows association, not that one variable causes the other.

8. What is the structure of a Graphics Interpretation question on the GMAT?

   You read a graph/chart, then complete one or more sentences by selecting the correct option from drop-down menus based on what the graphic shows.

9. In a drop-down completion (Graphics Interpretation) item, how should you treat each blank?

   Read the full sentence, evaluate every drop-down option against the graphic's data, and pick the one the chart's values actually support — testing each choice rather than guessing.

10. What is the slope of a line on a graph, and how is it computed from two points?

    Slope = (change in y) / (change in x) = (y2 − y1) / (x2 − x1). It measures the rate of change of y with respect to x.

11. When estimating quantitatively in Data Insights, why is rounding before computing useful?

    It speeds calculation and is often sufficient because answer options or drop-downs are spread far enough apart that an approximate value identifies the right choice.

12. What is a percent change, and how is it calculated?

    Percent change = ((new value − original value) / original value) × 100. Positive means increase, negative means decrease.

13. How do you convert a part-to-whole relationship into a percentage?

    Percentage = (part / whole) × 100. Confirm what counts as the 'whole' (the correct denominator) before computing.

14. What is the structure of a Two-Part Analysis question?

    It presents a problem with a table of options; you select one answer in each of two columns (two related responses), which may be the same or different options.

15. In Two-Part Analysis, why must you read both column headers carefully before answering?

    The two columns ask for distinct quantities or roles (e.g., minimum vs. maximum, two different people). Misreading which column is which is a common error.

16. How do quantitative Two-Part Analysis problems typically work?

    They give numeric constraints and ask you to pick two values (one per column) that jointly satisfy the conditions, such as a pair of numbers meeting an equation or inequality.

17. What is a good strategy for a quantitative Two-Part problem asking for two values satisfying one equation?

    Set up the relationship algebraically, then test the answer-choice values in the table to find the pair that makes the equation hold true.

18. How do verbal Two-Part Analysis problems differ from quantitative ones?

    Verbal Two-Part problems are based on a passage and ask you to choose two answers reflecting reasoning relationships (e.g., a statement and a counter-statement, cause and effect, or two roles) rather than numerical computation.

19. In a verbal Two-Part question asking for a 'strengthen' and a 'weaken' choice, how do you avoid mixing them up?

    Classify each candidate as strengthening or weakening the argument first, then place each in its matching column; never assume the same option fits both.

20. What is the key difference between Table Analysis sorting and Graphics Interpretation in Data Insights?

    Table Analysis presents data as a sortable table you reorder and read directly; Graphics Interpretation presents data visually (charts/graphs) that you interpret to complete drop-down sentences.

21. In filtering/Table Analysis, how do you efficiently count rows meeting a numeric threshold?

    Sort the relevant column, then count consecutive rows above or below the threshold instead of scanning the unsorted table.

22. What is the difference between a true/false (yes/no) statement set in Multi-Source Reasoning and a standard multiple-choice question?

    The statement-set format requires you to evaluate each of several statements independently as true/false (or yes/no) and get all of them correct for credit, rather than choosing one best answer.

23. When interpreting a bar chart versus a line graph, what does each best represent?

    Bar charts best compare discrete categories or amounts; line graphs best show trends or changes in a continuous variable over time.

24. What is a weighted average, and when must you use it instead of a simple average?

    Weighted average = (sum of each value × its weight) / (sum of weights). Use it when groups have different sizes/frequencies, so you cannot simply average the group averages.

What this deck covers

Data Insights flashcards FAQ