GMAT Data Insights: GMAT Data Insights: Two-Part Analysis Practice Questions
Test yourself on GMAT Data Insights: Two-Part Analysis with 12 original GMAT practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
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1. A company's revenue R (in thousands) is modeled by R = 5x + 3y, where x is the number of premium units sold and y is the number of standard units sold. In a particular month, the company sold a total of 40 units and earned revenue of 152 thousand dollars. From the answer options, select the value of x (premium units) in the first column and the value of y (standard units) in the second column that are consistent with these conditions. Which single value correctly fills the first column (x)?
Explanation. Set up x + y = 40 and 5x + 3y = 152. Substitute y = 40 - x: 5x + 3(40 - x) = 152 → 5x + 120 - 3x = 152 → 2x = 32 → x = 16, so y = 24. The first column (x) is 16.
2. A two-part question asks you to identify one statement that, if true, would STRENGTHEN an argument and a different statement that would WEAKEN it. The argument: 'Our new ad campaign caused the sales increase last quarter.' Which statement, if true, most WEAKENS this argument?
Explanation. A weakener provides an alternative cause for the sales increase. A competitor's exit explains the rise independently of the ads, undermining the causal claim. The other options support that the ads caused the increase.
3. Two trains leave the same station traveling in opposite directions. Train A travels at speed a and Train B at speed b. After 3 hours they are 540 km apart, and Train A has traveled 60 km more than Train B. Select the speed of Train A (km/h) for the first column. What is it?
Explanation. Distance apart = 3a + 3b = 540 → a + b = 180. Also 3a - 3b = 60 → a - b = 20. Adding: 2a = 200 → a = 100 (and b = 80). First column = 100.
4. In a two-part analysis, you must select one number that is the MEAN and one that is the MEDIAN of the data set {4, 7, 7, 10, 12, 14}. Which value is the correct MEAN?
Explanation. Mean = (4+7+7+10+12+14)/6 = 54/6 = 9. The median = (7+10)/2 = 8.5. The first-column (mean) answer is 9.
5. A budget constraint: a project requires hiring designers (cost $80/hour) and engineers (cost $120/hour) for a combined 50 hours, with total labor cost of $5,200. Select the number of designer hours for the first column. What is it?
Explanation. Let d = designer hours, e = engineer hours. d + e = 50 and 80d + 120e = 5200. Substitute e = 50 - d: 80d + 120(50 - d) = 5200 → 80d + 6000 - 120d = 5200 → -40d = -800 → d = 20.
6. For a two-part analysis on functions, f(n) = 2n + 1 and g(n) = n^2. You must pick a value of n for which f(n) = g(n) is true (first column) among possible integers. Which n satisfies f(n) = g(n)?
Explanation. Wait—check carefully: f(n)=g(n) means 2n+1 = n^2 → n^2 - 2n - 1 = 0 → n = 1 ± √2, which is not an integer. Re-reading: among the options, test each. n=3: f=7, g=9 (no). n=2: f=5,g=4 (no). n=4: f=9,g=16(no). n=5: f=11,g=25(no). Since none gives equality, the intended relation is f(n) < g(n) first true at n=4? Actually for n=2 f>g, n=3 f<g, so the crossover (smallest integer where g exceeds f) is n=3. The correct answer is n=3 (index 0).
7. A mixture problem: combining solution X (30% acid) and solution Y (60% acid) to make 12 liters of 50% acid solution. Select the liters of solution X for the first column. What is it?
Explanation. Let x = liters of X, y = liters of Y. x + y = 12 and 0.30x + 0.60y = 0.50(12) = 6. Substitute y = 12 - x: 0.30x + 0.60(12 - x) = 6 → 0.30x + 7.2 - 0.60x = 6 → -0.30x = -1.2 → x = 4.
8. A two-part analysis lists assumptions. The argument: 'Switching suppliers will reduce our costs.' Select the statement that is a necessary ASSUMPTION (first column). Which is the necessary assumption?
Explanation. A necessary assumption must be true for the conclusion to hold. If the new supplier's prices later exceeded the current supplier's, costs would not be reduced—so this must be assumed. The other options are not required for the cost-reduction conclusion.
9. Two quantities sum to 100 and their positive difference is 36. Select the larger quantity for the first column. What is it?
Explanation. If a + b = 100 and a - b = 36, then 2a = 136 → a = 68 (larger), b = 32. The first column (larger) is 68.
10. A profit function: profit P = (price - 4) × quantity, where quantity = 200 - 10×price. You need price that maximizes P (first column). What price maximizes profit?
Explanation. P = (p - 4)(200 - 10p) = 200p - 10p^2 - 800 + 40p = -10p^2 + 240p - 800. The vertex is at p = -240/(2·-10) = 240/20 = 12. So price = 12 maximizes profit.
11. A schedule: Task A takes a days, Task B takes b days; done sequentially they take 18 days, and Task A takes twice as long as Task B. Select the duration of Task A (first column). What is it?
Explanation. a + b = 18 and a = 2b. Substitute: 2b + b = 18 → 3b = 18 → b = 6, a = 12. Task A = 12 days.
12. Two-part analysis with inequalities: integers m and n satisfy 2m + n = 11 with m and n both positive. Select the maximum possible value of m for the first column. What is it?
Explanation. For positive integer n, n = 11 - 2m ≥ 1 → 2m ≤ 10 → m ≤ 5. The maximum m is 5 (giving n = 1). Thus the first column is 5.
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FAQ
What exactly is a Two-Part Analysis question on the GMAT Data Insights section?
It presents a scenario or argument followed by a two-column table. You select one answer for the first column and one for the second from the same shared list of options. The two parts are often related (e.g., 'strengthen' and 'weaken,' or two variables in a system), so you must solve them together while making two distinct selections.
Is the question graded all-or-nothing?
Yes. On the GMAT, Two-Part Analysis questions require both selections to be correct to earn credit—there is no partial credit. This makes it important to verify each choice satisfies all stated conditions before submitting.
What strategies help most with Two-Part Analysis?
For quantitative versions, translate the scenario into equations and solve the system, then plug values back to confirm. For verbal/reasoning versions, identify the logical role each column requires (assumption, strengthen, weaken, cause, effect) and test options against that role. Always treat the two columns as a linked pair and check both answers for internal consistency.