FREE SAT Command of Evidence (Quantitative) Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A researcher claims that 'most students prefer online learning.' Which quantitative evidence would BEST support this claim?

Accepted Answer

A survey showing 62% prefer online, 28% prefer in-person, 10% have no preference

Answer

A survey showing 47% prefer online, 38% prefer in-person, 15% have no preference

Answer

An interview with 5 students who all prefer online learning

Answer

A report stating that online course enrollment increased by 15% last year

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?

Accepted Answer

City A has a higher crime rate than City B

Answer

City B has more total crimes, so it's more dangerous

Answer

The cities have equal crime rates

Answer

City B has twice as many crimes per capita as City A

Question 3

Which of the following data presentations would be LEAST reliable for supporting an argument about national education trends?

Accepted Answer

Survey responses from 200 parents in a single wealthy suburban district

Answer

A 10-year longitudinal study of 50,000 students across all 50 states

Answer

Standardized test scores from 500 randomly selected schools nationwide

Answer

Department of Education statistics covering 5 consecutive years

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?

Accepted Answer

The results are statistically significant with a substantial sample size

Answer

The results apply to everyone who exercises regularly

Answer

500 people showed exactly 23 points of stress reduction

Answer

Exercise eliminates stress completely for most people

Question 5

An author argues that renewable energy is becoming more cost-effective. Which quantitative evidence would WEAKEN this argument?

Accepted Answer

Wind energy installation costs rose 15% in the past two years

Answer

Solar panel costs decreased 40% from 2015 to 2020

Answer

Renewable energy provided 25% of electricity in 2020 vs. 18% in 2015

Answer

Government subsidies for renewable energy increased by $2 billion annually

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?

Accepted Answer

The race is too close to call based on this poll

Answer

Johnson is definitely winning the election

Answer

Smith is actually ahead when accounting for margin of error

Answer

Johnson has a 3-point lead that will hold until election day