FAST Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield FAST facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following best describes non-response bias? → When those who respond differ systematically from those who do not
2. If P(A) = 0.5, P(B) = 0.4, and P(A and B) = 0.2, what is P(A or B)? → 0.7
3. Two statements: 'All managers are employees' and 'Some employees are part-time.' Which conclusion is valid? → Some managers may be part-time
4. A researcher reports a 95% prediction interval of [42, 68] for a new observation. This means: → There is a 95% probability the new individual's value falls between 42 and 68
5. What letter comes next in the series: A, C, E, G, ___? → I
6. In stepwise regression, variables are selected based on: → Statistical criteria such as p-value or AIC at each step
7. A pattern follows the rule: 3, 6, 12, 24, ___. What is the next number? → 48
8. A tiling pattern repeats every 4 tiles in the order: red, blue, green, yellow. What color is the 18th tile? → Blue
9. Which design feature best reduces the chance of a biased sample in a telephone survey? → Using random digit dialing to reach unlisted numbers
10. Which of the following scenarios involves point estimation? → Stating the average test score is 76.
11. What is the purpose of non-destructive testing (NDT)? → To evaluate material properties and detect defects without damaging the item
12. What does a box plot display? → The minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum of a dataset
13. If a 95% confidence interval for a proportion is (0.40, 0.60), the point estimate of the proportion is: → 0.50
14. What is a confounding variable? → A variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables
15. A frequency distribution table shows data with a mean of 50 and a median of 65. What does this relationship between mean and median suggest? → The distribution is negatively (left) skewed
16. A researcher wants a margin of error of no more than 2 points with 95% confidence and estimates σ = 10. What minimum sample size is needed? → 196
17. A class interval has lower boundary 20 and upper boundary 30. What is its midpoint (class mark)? → 25
18. Cross-validation in regression is used primarily to: → Estimate how well the model generalizes to new, unseen data
19. What is stratified sampling? → Dividing the population into subgroups and sampling from each proportionally
20. What is sampling bias? → A systematic error that results in a non-representative sample
21. A square has a diagonal of 10 cm. What is its area? → 50 cm²
22. If you fold a square piece of paper in half twice and then cut a triangle from the folded corner, how many triangles appear when unfolded? → 4
23. For a confidence interval for a proportion, what value of p̂ produces the widest interval for a given sample size and confidence level? → p̂ = 0.5
24. If a box contains 24 red and 16 blue marbles, what fraction of the marbles are blue? → 2/5
25. Increasing the sample size while keeping confidence level constant will: → Narrow the confidence interval.
26. Data: 3, 7, 7, 2, 9, 3, 7. What is the mode? → 7
27. Which statement correctly distinguishes statistical significance from practical significance? → A result can be statistically significant yet have a trivially small effect size
28. If P then Q. P is true. What is the valid logical conclusion? → Q is true
29. In decision-making under uncertainty, what does 'expected value' help a decision-maker assess? → The probability-weighted average of all possible outcomes
30. What is the meaning of the root word 'BENE-' as in 'beneficial' or 'benevolent'? → Good or well