Problem Solving and Data Interpretation
This section asks you to extract information from tables, charts, or short scenarios and make a decision. The arithmetic is usually simple; the challenge is selecting the right figures and combining them correctly.
Method
- Read titles, units, and footnotes before calculating.
- Identify exactly what is asked: rate, difference, total, or ranking.
- Compute only the needed values; estimate to shortlist options.
- Check whether the question asks for absolute numbers or proportions.
Worked example: three teams test 60, 50, and 45 modules and pass 48, 42, and 27 respectively. Which team has the highest pass rate? Rates are 48/60 = 80%, 42/50 = 84%, and 27/45 = 60%. Team B is highest, even though Team A has the most passes. The trap is ranking by absolute passes without dividing by each team’s base.
Traps that cost marks
- Comparing counts instead of rates.
- Misreading a stacked bar or dual axis.
- Ignoring “per 1,000” or “thousands” in a heading.
- Using the wrong total after a category is excluded.
- Assuming a larger absolute number means a better result.