The Basic Process of Solving a Data Interpretation Question

1. Scan the graph(s). (15–20 seconds)

   • What type of graph is it?
   • Is the data displayed in percentages or absolute quantities?
   • Does the graph provide any overall total value?

2. Figure out what the question is asking. What does it ask you to do?

   • Calculate a value?
   • Establish how many data points meet a criterion?

3. Find the graph(s) with the needed information.

   • Look for key words in the question.
4. If you need to establish how many data points meet a criterion, keep track as you go by taking notes.
5. If you need to perform a computation, translate the question into a mathematical expression before you try to solve it.
6. If one of the answer choices is “cannot be determined,” check that you have all the information you need before performing any calculations.

7. Use the calculator when needed, but keep your eye out for opportunities to use time-saving estimation techniques:

   • Does the question use the word “approximate”?
   • Are the numbers in the answer choices sufficiently far apart?

This list of steps should be used as a high-level process checklist, to help you remember what to look for and do as you solve, but some of the steps are only relevant to some of the problems. The examples on the subsequent pages follow this process and show how to apply it to various types of problems.