Data Insights Prep Strategies

Section Strategies

Data Sufficiency Questions

• Decide whether the problem allows only one value or a range of values. Remember: you are only determining whether you have enough data to solve the problem.
• Avoid making unwarranted assumptions based on geometric figures. Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Multi-Source Reasoning Questions

• Don’t expect to be completely familiar with the material.  All of the information you need to answer the questions is provided.
  
  
• Analyze each source of data carefully, as the questions require detailed understanding of the data presented. Text passages often build ideas in sequences, so be mindful of how each statement adds to the main idea of the passage. Graphic elements come in various forms, such as tables, graphs, diagrams, or charts.
  
  
• Read the questions carefully, making sure you understand what is being asked. Some questions will require recognizing discrepancies among different sources of data. Others will ask you to draw inferences. Still others may require you to determine which one of the data sources is relevant.
  
  
• Select the answer choices that have the most support based on the data provided. Don’t let your knowledge of the subject matter influence your answer choice. Answer the questions using only the data provided to you.

Table Analysis Questions

• Examine the table and accompanying text to determine the type of information provided.
  
  
• Read the question carefully to determine the data analysis required and know the choices you have to make by reviewing the answers.
  
  
• Judge each answer statement carefully based on the condition specified (i.e. yes or no, true or false). Focus your attention on whether the given condition has been met.

Graphics Interpretation Questions

• Familiarize yourself with the data presented in the graphic. Make note of the scales on the axis, marked values, and labels. Pay attention to any discrepancies between the units in the graph and the units discussed in the text.
  
  
• Read any accompanying text carefully. The text might present data that isn’t contained in the graphic but that you need to answer the question.
  
  
• Make sure you understand what the problem is asking you to do. You will interpret and integrate data, discern relationships, and make inferences from a set of data.
  
  
• Read all the choices in the drop-down menu. By checking the menu options, you will get additional information about your assigned task.
  
  
• Choose the option that best completes the statement. More than one option in the drop-down menu may seem plausible. You will need to choose the one that makes the statement most accurate or logical.

Two-Part Analysis Questions

• Read the information carefully. It may cover a wide range of content, including quantitative, verbal, or some combination of both. All the material presented is designed to be challenging. Don’t let any familiarity with the subject matter influence your response. Only use the data presented in the question.
  
  
• Determine exactly what the question is asking. Pay close attention to how the question describes the tasks. Sometimes the response columns headings lack the details that could help you better understand what you are supposed to do.
  
  
• Review all available answers before making a final choice. Determine whether your tasks are dependent or independent. Some questions will pose two tasks that can be carried out individually. Others pose one task with two dependent parts.
  
  
• Keep in mind that the same answer choice might be the correct response for both columns. It is possible that one answer option satisfies the conditions of both response columns.