GRE Multi-Step Data Analysis and Graphs

Question 1

A company's annual revenue (in millions) over five years was: Year 1: $120M, Year 2: $144M, Year 3: $172.8M, Year 4: $207.4M, Year 5: $248.8M. What was the approximate average percentage growth rate per year?
(A) 15%
(B) 18%
(C) 20%
(D) 22%

Accepted Answer

20%

Answer

Each year the revenue grows by exactly 20%: 120 × 1.2 = 144, 144 × 1.2 = 172.8, etc. The answer is 20%.

Question 2

A bar chart shows quarterly sales for two products:
Product A: Q1=40, Q2=55, Q3=70, Q4=85 (units)
Product B: Q1=80, Q2=70, Q3=60, Q4=50 (units)

In which quarter does the combined total first exceed 120 units?
(A) Q1
(B) Q2
(C) Q3
(D) Q4

Accepted Answer

Q2

Answer

Q1: 40+80=120 (not exceeding). Q2: 55+70=125 > 120. The combined total first exceeds 120 in Q2.

Question 3

A pie chart shows the distribution of 360 survey respondents by preferred news source: TV = 30%, Online = 45%, Print = 15%, Radio = 10%. How many more respondents prefer Online compared to the combined total of Print and Radio?
(A) 54
(B) 72
(C) 81
(D) 90

Accepted Answer

72

Answer

Online: 45% × 360 = 162. Print + Radio: (15% + 10%) × 360 = 25% × 360 = 90. Difference: 162 − 90 = 72.

Question 4

A line graph shows a city's population (in thousands) from 2000 to 2020 in 5-year intervals: 2000=200, 2005=230, 2010=272, 2015=306, 2020=340. Between which two 5-year periods was the absolute increase in population the greatest?
(A) 2000–2005
(B) 2005–2010
(C) 2010–2015
(D) 2015–2020

Accepted Answer

2005–2010

Answer

Increases: 2000–05: 30K; 2005–10: 42K; 2010–15: 34K; 2015–20: 34K. The 2005–2010 period had the largest absolute increase of 42,000.

Question 5

A table shows test scores for two classes:
Class A: Mean = 78, Standard Deviation = 5, n = 30
Class B: Mean = 82, Standard Deviation = 12, n = 20

Which class had greater score variability, and by approximately what factor?
(A) Class A; variability 2.4 times greater
(B) Class B; variability 2.4 times greater
(C) Class A; variability 1.5 times greater
(D) Class B; variability 1.5 times greater

Accepted Answer

Class B; variability 2.4 times greater

Answer

Standard deviation measures variability. Class B: SD=12; Class A: SD=5. 12/5 = 2.4. Class B had 2.4× greater variability.

GRE Practice Test

GRE Practice Test

GRE Multi-Step Data Analysis and Graphs