WorkKeys Graphic Literacy cheat sheet

A graphic's title states what the whole display represents; the axis labels state what each number measures.

On a bar graph, the category label sits under the bar and the value is read from the vertical scale.

Each gridline on an axis represents the same fixed increment; count gridlines, then multiply by the increment.

A legend (key) maps colors, patterns, or symbols to their meanings; every symbol used must appear in it.

When a scale starts at a value other than zero, bar lengths show differences but not true ratios.

Units (dollars, hours, pounds, percent) appear with the axis label or title and carry through to the answer.

A table lookup: locate the row label first, then the column label; the intersection cell is the value.

Single-step questions ask for one value; find it directly rather than computing a change or total.

To find the largest or smallest item, compare positions against the same axis scale, not visual area alone.

A value falling between two labeled tick marks is estimated by its fractional distance across that interval.

Ranking requires reading all listed values before ordering; ties must be reported as ties, not broken arbitrarily.

A pictograph multiplies the symbol count by the key value (e.g., 1 symbol = 25 units).

In a stacked bar, a segment's value is its top minus its bottom, not its top alone.

A pie chart sector's share equals its central angle divided by 360 degrees.

Difference between two items equals the larger value minus the smaller value on the same scale.

Two-line or two-series graphs are compared by reading each series at the same horizontal position.

Total of a series equals the sum of all plotted values, read individually from the scale.

Average (mean) equals the total divided by the number of values; a rate is a quantity divided by a time or count base.

Unit rate is found by dividing the graphed quantity by its corresponding horizontal-axis value.

To project a trend, extend the observed constant change per interval beyond the last plotted point.

Percent change equals (new minus old) divided by old, then multiplied by 100.

A value that is x percent of a total equals x/100 times that total.

In a line graph, slope steepness corresponds to rate of change; a flat segment means no change.

Values read from a graph are estimates limited by the scale's smallest labeled increment.

When two graphics share a category, match on the exact category label before combining values.

A multi-step total: compute each component from its own source, then add or subtract as the question requires.

A proportion from a table: part divided by whole, applied to a new base by multiplication.

If one source gives a rate and another gives a base quantity, the product yields the derived total.

Weighted average equals the sum of (value times weight) divided by the sum of the weights.

Check unit consistency across sources; convert before combining (e.g., hours to minutes, thousands to units).

Confirm that the time periods or categories in two graphics align; misaligned periods cannot be summed directly.

A stated total that disagrees with summed parts signals a category such as 'other' that must be accounted for.

A truncated axis exaggerates change; verify whether the vertical axis begins at zero before judging magnitude.

Unequal interval widths or uneven tick spacing distort apparent rate; read values, not distances.

Correlation shown in a graph does not establish causation between the plotted variables.

A projection is an inference, valid only if the underlying trend or assumption is stated and holds.

Sample size and labeling determine whether a percentage can be generalized to a larger population.

A 3-D or area-scaled chart can mislead because area grows faster than the underlying value.

Missing data points or gaps in a series limit conclusions; note what the graphic does not show.

To validate a claim, recompute the stated figure from the graphic and compare it to the claim.

Read the title, axis labels, units, and legend before answering any question about a graphic.

Identify the smallest labeled increment on each axis; that increment bounds reading precision.

Match the question's units to the graphic's units; convert if they differ.

For comparison questions, read every relevant value before deciding.

For multi-step questions, write the intermediate value and its units before the final step.

Distinguish 'how many' (a count) from 'how much more' (a difference) in the question wording.

Percent means per hundred: convert to a decimal by dividing by 100 before multiplying.

Round only at the end; rounding intermediate values can shift the final answer.

Reading a bar's top against the wrong gridline produces an off-by-one-increment error.

Assuming an axis starts at zero when it does not overstates differences.

Summing stacked segments by their top edges double-counts lower segments.

Treating two different units (e.g., thousands vs. units) as equal inflates or deflates totals.

Confusing percent change with percentage points misstates a shift between two percentages.

Ignoring an 'other' or 'none' category leaves totals short of the stated whole.

Extrapolating a curved trend with a straight line misstates future values.

Using a category average where a specific category's value is required gives the wrong figure.

Schedule grids: rows are resources or people, columns are time slots; the cell holds the assignment.

Flowcharts: arrows show sequence; a decision diamond has two labeled exits.

Gauges and dials: the needle position against numbered marks gives the reading; units are on the dial face.

Floor plans and maps: a scale bar converts measured length to real distance.

Invoice or spec tables: quantity times unit price gives line total; line totals sum to the subtotal.

Control charts: a center line is the average, and points beyond the limits signal an out-of-control condition.

Legends for maps and diagrams define symbols; unlabeled symbols cannot be interpreted.

Verify the answer lies within the range spanned by the axis or table.

Confirm the answer's units match those requested in the question.

Re-read the specific category or period named; nearby categories are common distractors.

If the answer requires a total, confirm every part was included exactly once.

For percent answers, confirm the base used matches the question's 'of what' wording.

If two readings are close, use the finer gridlines or interpolate.

Sanity-check magnitude: an answer far outside the plotted range signals a misread scale.

Scale: the numeric range and increment of an axis.

Legend/key: the mapping of symbols, colors, or patterns to categories.

Trend: the general direction of a series across the horizontal axis.

Rate of change: change in the vertical value per unit of horizontal value.

Mean: total divided by count; median: middle value when ordered.

Percentage point: the arithmetic difference between two percentages.

Extrapolation: estimating beyond the plotted data; interpolation: estimating between plotted points.

Level 3: locate a single labeled value in a simple graphic.

Level 4: compare, rank, or estimate between marks.

Level 5: compute totals, averages, rates, or percent change from one graphic.

Level 6: combine two graphics or chain multiple operations.

Level 7: judge validity, detect distortion, and infer from incomplete data.