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Reading Tables
and Charts

Master the skill of extracting data from tables, bar charts, and line graphs: the essential foundation for every SSAT quantitative question.

SSAT Middle Level: Quantitative

What Are Tables and Charts?

Tables and charts are two ways to organize numerical information so you can find and compare values quickly. On the SSAT, you will see data presented in both forms and must read values accurately before doing any calculation.

Table
Rows and columns of numbers organized by labels. Great for exact values.
Bar Chart
Bars whose heights or lengths represent quantities. Great for comparing groups.
Line Graph
Points connected by lines showing change over time. Great for spotting trends.

Anatomy of a Data Table

Student Math Reading Alex 88 92 Beth 75 84 Carlos 91 78 Column Headers Row Values Row Labels

Anatomy of a Bar Chart

0 25 50 75 100 Books Read Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 30 60 45 80 55 Day of the Week Tallest bar = greatest value

Anatomy of a Line Graph

0 25 50 75 100 Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 40 55 50 70 85 Week Score Upward trend over time

The Golden Rule of Reading Data

1
Read the title to understand what the data is about.
2
Identify column headers or axis labels so you know what each number measures.
3
Check the scale: does the y-axis go by 5s, 10s, 25s? Misreading the scale is the most common error.
4
Locate the exact value by tracing from label to data point to axis.

Tables vs. Charts: Key Differences

Table Chart / Graph
Best for Exact values Trends and comparisons
Reading values Look up row + column Trace from axis to bar/point
Risk of error Wrong row or column Misreading the scale
Estimation needed? No: values are exact Sometimes: bar between grid lines

Step-by-Step: Extract a Value

1
Read the question carefully. Underline exactly which value you need: which category, which time period, which row.
2
Find the category on one axis (or in the row label of a table).
3
Trace to the data point. For a table: move across the row. For a chart: move vertically or horizontally to the bar top or dot.
4
Read the value from the other axis (or from the cell in the table). Double-check the scale.
5
If the question asks for a calculation (sum, difference, average), perform it after extracting all needed values.

Example 1: Reading a Table

Flavor Mon Tue Wed Vanilla 24 30 18 Chocolate 35 28 40 Strawberry 15 22 19 Ice Cream Scoops Sold

Question: How many more chocolate scoops were sold on Wednesday than on Monday?

Example 2: Reading a Bar Chart

Favorite Sport (Students Surveyed) 0 10 20 30 40 Soccer Basket. Baseball Tennis 35 25 15 10

Question: How many total students were surveyed?

Example 3: Reading a Line Graph

Daily High Temperature (°F) 50 60 70 80 90 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 68 72 65 78 82

Question: On which day did the temperature decrease from the day before?

Estimating Between Gridlines

0 20 40 60 80 Group A Between 40 and 60 About 3/4 up → ~55

Multi-Step Data Questions

Many SSAT questions ask you to combine values from a table or chart: find a sum, a difference, or an average. The key is to extract each value first, then calculate.

Sum
Read all values, then add: \( a + b + c \)
Difference
Read two values, then subtract: \( a - b \)
Average
Sum all, then divide by count: \( \frac{a+b+c}{3} \)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕ Wrong Row or Column
Reading the value from the row above or below. Always trace carefully from the label.
✕ Misreading the Scale
Assuming the y-axis goes by 1s when it actually goes by 5s or 10s. Check the numbers on the axis first.
✕ Ignoring Units
The chart says "thousands" in the title, but you read 25 instead of 25,000. Always read the title and axis labels.

Quick Reference Summary

Step Table Bar Chart Line Graph
1. Orient Read headers Read axis labels Read axis labels
2. Locate Find row + column Find bar for category Find dot for time
3. Read Cell gives exact value Trace bar top to y-axis Trace dot to y-axis
4. Calculate Add, subtract, or average as the question requires

Question 1 of 5

According to the table, how many books did Ben read this month?

Question 2 of 5

0 5 10 15 20 Red Blue Green 18 12 8 Students' Favorite Color

How many more students chose Red than Green?

Question 3 of 5

What were the total lemonade sales over all 4 weeks?

Question 4 of 5

0 10 20 30 40 20 35 25 30 15 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Playground Visitors

Between which two consecutive days did the number of visitors decrease the most?

Question 5 of 5

What is the average test score of these four students?