Data Interpretation: Reading Tables and Charts
Read the title, units and key first, then pull exact values from bar graphs, pictograms, histograms, pie charts, line graphs and tables, and compute totals, differences, averages and percents without falling for the usual traps.
What it is
Data interpretation means reading information from a chart or table and using it to answer questions. The exam shows one chart or table and asks several items about it. You will read six kinds of displays:
- Bar graph: bars whose length shows an amount.
- Pictogram: rows of symbols, each worth a fixed amount.
- Histogram: touching bars that count how many values fall in each range.
- Pie chart: a circle cut into slices that are parts of one whole (100%).
- Line graph: points joined by a line, showing change over time.
- Table: exact numbers in rows and columns.
Why it matters on the exam
The newest exams give about ten data interpretation items at both levels, usually five items per chart. Each item is short arithmetic, but the traps are many: the wrong bar, the wrong total, dividing by the new value, or mixing up percent and percentage points. Careful reading wins these points.
At work, you read the same kinds of charts in accomplishment reports, budget summaries and statistics from other offices.
- 140
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- 700
The rest of this lesson, and every other lesson, is part of ReviewTayo.
Read moreIn the full lesson
- How to recognize it on the test
- What to look for (6 checks)
- All 7 rules and tools
- 4 worked examples, every step explained
- 7 common mistakes and how to fix them
- 3 exam techniques
- Remember: 5 key points
- Practice questions with explanations, and your progress saved
More Analytical Ability lessons
ReviewTayo has 47 lessons that follow the official scope of the exam, each with rules, worked examples, common mistakes and practice. Open one and read the first part.