Data interpretation is a rare type of question for GMAT quant but is the most scoring and time-consuming section. For most people, data interpretation is part of their daily life. Through the process of interpretation, people collect, analyze, process and present various numerical data and make sense out of it.

Data Interpretation: Sample Question

Let’s solve a problem and see what kind of question GMAT asks under this topic:

Question:

12th Grade Students at Portland High School

	Girls	Boys
Enrolled in Biology	20	23
Not  enrolled in Biology	26	30

1. Approximately what percentage of the 12th grade girls at Portland High School are enrolled in Biology?

1. 43%
2. 43.47%
3. 42%
4. 48%
5. 62%

2. What is the fraction of the boys in the 12th grade at Portland High School who are enrolled in Biology?

1. 20/23
2. 20/99
3. 26/99
4. 23/99
5. 30/99

3. What is the ratio of 12th grade girls who are not enrolled in Biology compared to all the 12th grade students at Portland High School?

1. 20:23
2. 20:99
3. 23:99
4. 30:99
5. 16:99

4. If x percent more 12th grade students at Portland High School are not enrolled in Biology than are enrolled in Biology, find the value of x?

1. 30.23%
2. 30%
3. 23%
4. 20%
5. 26%

5. If 2 boys who are not enrolled in Biology, from the 12th grade of Portland High school decides to take up Biology, and then 8 new girls and 7 new boys enrolled in the 12th grade at Portland High School as well as in Biology, what percentage of 12th grade students at Portland would then be taking Biology?

1. 49%
2. 47%
3. 52.63%
4. 52%
5. 50%

Solution: Let us first understand the table: Since this table is only for the 12th grader, you don’t need to worry when the questions asks about 12th grade students, as everyone in the chart is a 12th grader.

Let’s then create another table in which we can calculate the total of all columns and rows for further reference.

	Girls	Boys	Total
Enrolled in Biology	20	23	43
Not enrolled in Biology	26	30	56
Total	46	53	99

1. There are 46 girls out of which 20 are enrolled in Biology

So, fraction of girls enrolled in Biology =  20/46

So, percentage of girls in Biology = (20/46) * 100 = 43.47%

Answer B.

2. There are 99 students in total, out of which 23 boys are enrolled in Biology. So the fraction will be 23/99.

Answer D.

3. There are 26 girls not enrolled for Biology and the total number of students is 99.

So, the ratio = 16:99.

Answer E.

4. 56 students are not enrolled for Biology, whereas, 43 students are. This question can also be rephrased as,  what percentage is 56 greater than 43? By using the percentage formula:

Percentage = (difference/original)*100= (13/43) * 100 = 30.23 %

Thus, x is 30.23

5. Let us draw a new chart that can reflect the changes. Switch 2 boys to enrolled in Biology from not enrolled in Biology.

	Girls	Boys	Total
Enrolled in Biology	20 + 8 = 28	23 + 2 +7 = 32	60
Not enrolled in Biology	26	30 – 2 = 28	54
Total	54	60	114

Since, now 60 students out of 114 are enrolled in Biology.

So, percentage = (60/114) * 100=52.63%

Click here to know more about detailed GMAT Exam Pattern.

We’ll be glad to help you in your GMAT preparation journey. You can ask for any assistance related to GMAT and MBA from us by calling us at +91636600441. You can write to us at support@thecareerlabs327512368.wpcomstaging.com.