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GMAT · Data Insights — Charts & Graphs · China

Data Insights — Charts & Graphs for the GMAT Exam — Chinese candidates

10% of the GMAT test plan. Interpreting bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and scatter plots within the GMAT Data Insights section to draw valid inferences. Calibrated for Chinese candidates.

Behind every published pass rate is a distribution of which topics caused most of the failures. This is one of those topics. Data Insights — Charts & Graphs sits at roughly 10% of the Graduate Management Admission Test content distribution — 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. Pass rates for the GMAT are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For Chinese candidates preparing for GMAT, the calibration of study to local context matters: Gaokao is China's domestic entrance exam. IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT dominate study-abroad tracks. HSK is the proficiency standard for non-native Mandarin speakers.

Pass rates for GMAT (China) are published periodically by the awarding body.

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.
  • 4中国考生备考 GMAT 时，建议优先攻克英语听力与写作两个最易失分的板块 — 每日固定时段做真题模拟。

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.

Frequently asked questions

How many Data Insights questions appear on the GMAT Focus Edition?
The Data Insights section has 20 questions in 45 minutes. Question types include Data Sufficiency, Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, and Two-Part Analysis.
Is Data Insights tested the same way in the old GMAT format?
No. In the legacy GMAT, Data Insights questions appeared as Integrated Reasoning (not scored on the 200–800 scale). In GMAT Focus Edition (2023+), Data Insights is a full section scored on the same scale as Quant and Verbal.
What is the GMAT pass rate for Chinese candidates?
Pass rates for GMAT candidates in China are published periodically by the awarding body. Practice questions, full-length simulations, and weak-area drills are the highest-impact way to improve your odds.
How long should Chinese candidates study Data Insights — Charts & Graphs for the GMAT?
For most candidates, focused mastery of Data Insights — Charts & Graphs requires 20–40 hours of deliberate practice — drilling sample questions, reviewing failure modes, and timing yourself against exam conditions. Gaokao is China's domestic entrance exam. IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT dominate study-abroad tracks. HSK is the proficiency standard for non-native Mandarin speakers. Combine Data Insights — Charts & Graphs study with full-length mock exams in the final two weeks before your test date.

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