DATA INTERPRETATION





This section tests your skills as far as understanding data presented in different forms is concerned. Several sets of questions having bar graphs, tables, charts, line graphs, etc. are given and you are expected to deduce the required results from these. 



The Data Interpretation section is one of the easiest sections in a test. The skills needed to tackle this section are: 
  •   Identification of the ‘correct’ problems or question selection. 
  •  Understanding what exactly is being asked for.
  •  Calculation. 
For this section the most important thing that an individual must be able to do is to calculate fast and accurately. There cannot be a wide variety of questions that can actually be set. So adequate practice should generally set an individual well on course for cracking this section.


Let us focus on the question selection first. One should choose problems with graphs or tables that are easy to comprehend and with numerical that are easy to work with. One should leave the case-lets for later attempt. If data sufficiency is included, then it should be attempted, preferably, towards the beginning.
Most of the times there are some problems that are really tough to understand or require a really difficult set of calculations to solve. These are "potholes" which are deliberately included to limit the speed. These should be avoided. So keep a track of how many such questions you have attempted.
A second aspect worth paying attention to is getting the basic concepts right. You must be able to understand all the basic forms of representing data as well as the basic methods of calculation needed to crack the problems. You need to first effectively interpret the data before being able to solve the problem. Ensure that you read the graphs and tables correctly and don’t miss out on the footnotes. Analyse if you are doing this step correctly.
Finally one has to read the questions, understand them and calculate. Depending on the options given, a certain level of accuracy is required. If the options are really close then a much greater level of accuracy is needed. On the other hand if the options are wide apart then a certain level of approximation may suffice.
Basically in DI one must aim to minimize calculations and to develop a reasonably high level of accuracy. But practice of calculations is something that would have to be done on a regular basis.