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Data Insights — Charts & Graphs for the GMAT Exam

Data Insights replaced Integrated Reasoning as a full scored section in the GMAT Focus Edition. Chart questions require candidates to extract numerical values, identify trends, and evaluate whether a stated conclusion follows from the visual data. Errors here are usually perceptual — misreading axis scales or confusing absolute vs relative values.

Locale-specific study guides

Pass-rate data, regulatory context, and study tips for Data Insights — Charts & Graphs all change by candidate locale. Pick your context:

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

  • !Misreading a dual-axis chart by applying the wrong Y-axis scale to a data series
  • !Confusing percentage change with absolute change when both are shown on the same chart
  • !Drawing causal conclusions from a scatter plot that only shows correlation

Study tips

  • 1Practice reading axis scales first — before looking at the question stem — to anchor your interpretation.
  • 2Distinguish explicitly between absolute values and percentage values for every chart you practice.
  • 3Drill the four most common chart types (bar, line, pie, scatter) with 5 questions each per session.

Sample GMAT Data Insights — Charts & Graphs questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real GMAT questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

  1. 1

    A bar chart shows Company A revenue at $50M in 2021 and $60M in 2022; Company B revenue at $80M in 2021 and $88M in 2022. Which company had the greater percentage revenue increase?

    • ACompany A, because $10M increase > $8M increase
    • BCompany B, because its absolute increase is smaller
    • CCompany A, because 20% > 10%Correct
    • DBoth companies had the same percentage increase
    Why this answer?

    Company A: ($60M − $50M) / $50M = 20%. Company B: ($88M − $80M) / $80M = 10%. Despite Company A having a smaller absolute increase, its percentage increase is double that of Company B.

  2. 2

    A scatter plot of hours studied vs exam score shows a positive correlation. Which conclusion is best supported?

    • AStudying more hours causes higher exam scores
    • BStudents who study more tend to score higherCorrect
    • CExam scores determine how long students study
    • DThe relationship is one-to-one
    Why this answer?

    A scatter plot can show association (correlation) but cannot establish causation. "Tend to score higher" accurately describes the positive correlation without implying a causal direction.

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