GMAT Data Insights: GMAT Data Insights: Graphics Interpretation Practice Questions
Test yourself on GMAT Data Insights: Graphics Interpretation with 12 original GMAT practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
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1. A scatterplot shows the relationship between weekly advertising spend (x, in $1000s) and weekly sales (y, in $1000s) for 30 stores. The data points cluster tightly around an upward-sloping line. Which of the following best describes the relationship?
Explanation. Points clustering tightly around an upward-sloping line indicate a strong (tight clustering) positive (upward slope) linear (line) relationship. Negative would slope downward; no correlation would show a cloud with no pattern; nonlinear would curve.
2. A line graph plots a company's revenue from 2015 to 2020. Revenue rose from $40M (2015) to $80M (2017), stayed flat through 2018, then fell to $60M by 2020. In which interval was the average annual rate of change of revenue greatest in magnitude?
Explanation. 2015–2017: ($80M−$40M)/2 yr = $20M/yr. 2017–2018: 0. 2018–2020: ($60M−$80M)/2 = −$10M/yr (magnitude $10M). 2015–2020: ($60M−$40M)/5 = $4M/yr. The largest magnitude is $20M/yr in 2015–2017.
3. A bubble chart shows countries with x = GDP per capita, y = life expectancy, and bubble size = population. Country A and Country B sit at the same height but A is far to the right of B, while B's bubble is much larger. Which statement is supported?
Explanation. Same height = same life expectancy (so neither has higher). A is to the right = higher GDP per capita. B's larger bubble = larger population. Only the first option is supported.
4. A histogram shows the distribution of test scores for 200 students with bars: 50–59 (10 students), 60–69 (40), 70–79 (70), 80–89 (50), 90–99 (30). The median score falls in which interval?
Explanation. The median is the average of the 100th and 101st values. Cumulative counts: through 59 = 10; through 69 = 50; through 79 = 120. Both the 100th and 101st students fall in the 70–79 bin.
5. A scatterplot includes a fitted trend line y = 2x + 5. A data point at x = 10 has an observed y-value of 30. What is the residual (observed minus predicted) for this point?
Explanation. Predicted y = 2(10) + 5 = 25. Residual = observed − predicted = 30 − 25 = 5... wait: 30 − 25 = 5. The residual is 5. (Choose 5.)
6. A pie chart shows a $2,000,000 budget split: Salaries 45%, Marketing 20%, R&D 25%, Other 10%. How much more is spent on Salaries than on Marketing?
Explanation. Salaries = 45% × $2,000,000 = $900,000. Marketing = 20% × $2,000,000 = $400,000. Difference = $900,000 − $400,000 = $500,000.
7. A graph shows two lines: Product X sales rising steadily and Product Y sales declining steadily. They intersect at month 6, where each equals 500 units. After month 6, which statement must be true?
Explanation. Before the crossover, declining Y was above rising X; after the intersection at month 6, the rising line (X) is above the declining line (Y), so X exceeds Y. Combined sales need not be constant.
8. A line chart shows monthly inflation rate. The rate is 3% in Jan, 4% in Feb, 4.5% in Mar, 4.2% in Apr. A reader concludes 'prices fell from March to April.' Why is this conclusion likely wrong?
Explanation. The chart plots the inflation rate. From Mar to Apr the rate dropped from 4.5% to 4.2%, but since 4.2% is still positive, prices continued to rise—just at a slower pace. Prices fall only when the rate is negative.
9. A stacked bar chart shows quarterly revenue split into Domestic and International. In Q3, the total bar reaches $90M and the Domestic segment ends at $55M. What share of Q3 revenue is International?
Explanation. International = $90M − $55M = $35M. Share = 35/90 ≈ 0.389 ≈ 39%. The Domestic share is the larger ~61%.
10. A scatterplot of hours studied vs. exam score shows a generally positive trend, but one point at (2 hours, 98 score) lies far above all others. This point is best described as:
Explanation. A single point that deviates markedly from the overall pattern of the data is an outlier. It does not represent the mean, does not flip the overall positive trend, and would have a large (not zero) residual relative to the trend line.
11. A bar graph compares average commute times (minutes) for 4 cities: P=25, Q=40, R=30, S=50. By what percentage is city S's commute longer than city P's?
Explanation. Percent increase = (50 − 25)/25 = 25/25 = 1.00 = 100%. S's commute is 100% (i.e., double) that of P.
12. A graph shows cumulative revenue over the year. By June the cumulative total is $300,000; by July it is $360,000. What was July's individual (non-cumulative) revenue?
Explanation. On a cumulative chart, a single month's value equals the change between consecutive points. July = $360,000 − $300,000 = $60,000. Reading $360,000 directly would be the running total, not July alone.
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FAQ
What skills does Graphics Interpretation test on the GMAT Data Insights section?
It tests your ability to read charts (scatterplots, line graphs, bar charts, histograms, pie charts, bubble charts) and draw correct quantitative and logical conclusions. Most questions use a fill-in-the-blank format with drop-down answer choices, so you must identify trends, compute percentages and rates of change, and distinguish correlation from causation.
What are the most common traps in these questions?
Watch for: confusing rate-of-change graphs with level graphs (e.g., a falling inflation rate still means rising prices), mixing up cumulative vs. period values, assuming correlation implies causation, misreading stacked or dual-axis charts, and ignoring scale or units. Always check the axis labels and legend first.
How should I budget time and approach these on test day?
Spend the first few seconds orienting: read the title, axes, units, and legend before looking at answers. Many items only need an approximate calculation, so round when possible. With drop-down formats, evaluate each blank independently and use the answer choices to bound your estimates rather than computing to full precision.