Free SAT Command of Evidence (Quantitative) Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher claims that 'most students prefer online learning.' Which quantitative evidence would BEST support this claim?
- A survey showing 47% prefer online, 38% prefer in-person, 15% have no preference
- A survey showing 62% prefer online, 28% prefer in-person, 10% have no preference (Correct answer)
- An interview with 5 students who all prefer online learning
- A report stating that online course enrollment increased by 15% last year
Correct answer: A survey showing 62% prefer online, 28% prefer in-person, 10% have no preference
To support 'most students prefer online learning,' you need quantitative data showing more than 50% prefer online learning. Only option B shows 62%, which constitutes a majority.
Question 2: A graph shows that City A has 120 crimes per 1,000 residents while City B has 180 total crimes with 2,000 residents. What can be correctly concluded?
- City A has a higher crime rate than City B (Correct answer)
- City B has more total crimes, so it's more dangerous
- The cities have equal crime rates
- City B has twice as many crimes per capita as City A
Correct answer: City A has a higher crime rate than City B
City A has 120 per 1,000 residents (12% rate). City B has 180 crimes ÷ 2,000 residents = 90 per 1,000 residents (9% rate). City A has the higher rate.
Question 3: Which of the following data presentations would be LEAST reliable for supporting an argument about national education trends?
- A 10-year longitudinal study of 50,000 students across all 50 states
- Standardized test scores from 500 randomly selected schools nationwide
- Survey responses from 200 parents in a single wealthy suburban district (Correct answer)
- Department of Education statistics covering 5 consecutive years
Correct answer: Survey responses from 200 parents in a single wealthy suburban district
Option C has the smallest sample size from only one demographic area, making it least representative of national trends. The other options have larger, more diverse samples.
Question 4: A study reports: 'Exercise reduces stress levels by an average of 23 points on a 100-point scale (p < 0.05, n = 500).' What does this quantitative information tell us?
- The results apply to everyone who exercises regularly
- 500 people showed exactly 23 points of stress reduction
- The results are statistically significant with a substantial sample size (Correct answer)
- Exercise eliminates stress completely for most people
Correct answer: The results are statistically significant with a substantial sample size
The p < 0.05 indicates statistical significance, n = 500 shows a large sample size, and 'average' indicates the mean reduction across participants, making the findings reliable.
Question 5: An author argues that renewable energy is becoming more cost-effective. Which quantitative evidence would WEAKEN this argument?
- Solar panel costs decreased 40% from 2015 to 2020
- Wind energy installation costs rose 15% in the past two years (Correct answer)
- Renewable energy provided 25% of electricity in 2020 vs. 18% in 2015
- Government subsidies for renewable energy increased by $2 billion annually
Correct answer: Wind energy installation costs rose 15% in the past two years
Rising installation costs for wind energy would weaken the argument that renewable energy is becoming more cost-effective. The other options either support the argument or are neutral.
Question 6: A poll shows candidate support: Johnson 45%, Smith 42%, margin of error ±4%. Based on this quantitative data, what is the most accurate interpretation?
- Johnson is definitely winning the election
- The race is too close to call based on this poll (Correct answer)
- Smith is actually ahead when accounting for margin of error
- Johnson has a 3-point lead that will hold until election day
Correct answer: The race is too close to call based on this poll
With a 3-point difference and ±4% margin of error, the ranges overlap significantly (Johnson: 41-49%, Smith: 38-46%), making the race statistically tied.
Free SAT Command of Evidence (Quantitative) Questions and Answers 2
A researcher claims that 'most students prefer online learning.' Which quantitative evidence would BEST support this claim?