Interpreting
Graphs & Tables

Master the art of reading data displays: extract values, spot trends, and draw conclusions from bar graphs, line graphs, tables, and pie charts.

SSAT Upper Level: Quantitative

What Are Data Displays?

A data display is any visual or organized format that presents numerical information so you can quickly find values, compare quantities, and identify patterns. On the SSAT, the most common displays are:

Bar Graphs

Compare discrete categories using horizontal or vertical bars.

Line Graphs

Show trends over time with connected data points.

Tables

Organize exact values in rows and columns for precise lookup.

Anatomy of a Graph

Anatomy of a Table

Student	Math Score	Reading Score	Total
Alice	88	92	180
Ben	76	85	161
Carla	95	78	173
David	82	90	172

The Core Skill: Read, Then Reason

Interpreting a data display is a two-step process. First you extract the correct values from the display, then you compute or compare to answer the question.

Step 1: Extract

Locate the specific data points the question asks about. Read axes, headers, and units carefully.

Step 2: Reason

Perform the required operation: find a difference, compute an average, identify a trend, or calculate a percentage.

Types of Graph Questions

1

Direct Lookup: "What was the value in March?" Read directly from the display.

2

Comparison: "How much more did X earn than Y?" Find two values and subtract.

3

Trend / Pattern: "During which period did sales increase the fastest?" Look at slopes or bar height changes.

4

Calculation: "What is the average?" or "What percent of the total?" Extract values, then compute.

Graphs vs. Tables

Feature	Graphs	Tables
Precision	Approximate (estimate from axis)	Exact values given
Best for	Trends, comparisons, "big picture"	Precise lookups, calculations
Common trap	Misreading scale increments	Reading the wrong row or column
Speed tip	Identify the tallest/shortest bar first	Use finger tracking: row then column

How to Approach Any Data Question

1

Read the title and labels. Understand what the display shows and what units are used.

2

Check the scale. Note the increment on each axis: does each gridline represent \(5\), \(10\), \(50\), or \(100\)?

3

Read the question carefully. Identify exactly which values you need and what operation is required.

4

Extract the data. Locate the specific bars, points, or cells. Write the numbers down if needed.

5

Compute and verify. Perform the calculation, then check that your answer makes sense given the data.

Example 1: Bar Graph Reading

Example 2: Table Calculation

Day	Tickets Sold
Monday	45
Tuesday	60
Wednesday	55
Thursday	70
Friday	90

Example 3: Line Graph Trends

Reading Between Gridlines

Percent & Fraction from Tables

Flavor	Votes
Chocolate	30
Vanilla	20
Strawberry	10
Total	60

Reading a Pie Chart

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕ Ignoring the Scale

Assuming each gridline = \(1\) when it might represent \(5\), \(10\), or \(100\). Always check the axis numbers.

✕ Wrong Row or Column

Grabbing a value from the wrong row in a table. Use your finger to trace from the row header across.

✕ Confusing Total with Individual

Using a total when the question asks for one category, or vice versa. Re-read what is being asked.

Summary: Graph & Table Skills

Skill	What to Do	Watch For
Direct Lookup	Find value at a specific point	Correct axis reading
Comparison	Subtract two values	Same units
Trend Analysis	Identify increase/decrease	Steepness of slopes
Average	Sum all values, divide by count	Include every data point
Percent / Fraction	Part \(\div\) Whole	Simplify your answer

Question 1 of 5

A bar graph shows the number of students in four clubs: Art: 25, Music: 40, Drama: 30, Chess: 15.

▼ Tap to read passage

How many more students are in Music than in Chess?

Music has \(40\) students and Chess has \(15\). The difference is \(40 - 15 = 25\). Choice (d) is the sum, not the difference: a common trap.

Question 2 of 5

A table shows test scores: Week 1: 72, Week 2: 78, Week 3: 85, Week 4: 81, Week 5: 84.

▼ Tap to read passage

What is the average test score across all five weeks?

Sum = \(72 + 78 + 85 + 81 + 84 = 400\). Average = \(\frac{400}{5} = 80\). Choice (c) is the median, not the mean.

Question 3 of 5

A line graph shows that a city's population was 12,000 in 2010 and 15,000 in 2020. The line increases steadily between these years.

▼ Tap to read passage

By what percent did the population increase from 2010 to 2020?

Increase = \(15{,}000 - 12{,}000 = 3{,}000\). Percent increase = \(\frac{3{,}000}{12{,}000} \times 100 = 25\%\). A common mistake is dividing by the new value (\(15,000\)) instead of the original (\(12,000\)).

Question 4 of 5

A pie chart shows how 300 students travel to school: Bus: 45%, Car: 30%, Walk: 15%, Bike: 10%.

▼ Tap to read passage

How many students travel by car?

Car = \(30\%\) of \(300\) students = \(0.30 \times 300 = 90\). Choice (a) confuses the percentage (\(30\)) with the actual count. Always multiply by the total.

Question 5 of 5

A bar graph shows rainfall (in inches) over four months: June: 3, July: 5, August: 4, September: 2. The y-axis has gridlines at every 1 inch.

▼ Tap to read passage

Between which two consecutive months was the greatest decrease in rainfall?

Changes: June→July = \(+2\) (increase), July→Aug = \(-1\), Aug→Sep = \(-2\). The greatest decrease is \(2\) inches, from August to September. Choice (d) is not between consecutive months.

InterpretingGraphs & Tables

What Are Data Displays?

Anatomy of a Graph

Anatomy of a Table

The Core Skill: Read, Then Reason

Types of Graph Questions

Graphs vs. Tables

How to Approach Any Data Question

Example 1: Bar Graph Reading

Example 2: Table Calculation

Example 3: Line Graph Trends

Reading Between Gridlines

Percent & Fraction from Tables

Reading a Pie Chart

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Summary: Graph & Table Skills

Question 1 of 5

Question 2 of 5

Question 3 of 5

Question 4 of 5

Question 5 of 5

Interpreting
Graphs & Tables