Interpretation the DI way as it is not maths

Vikas Dahiya

Data Interpretation is one of the most important topics on which the questions are asked in almost all competitive exams like Banking (IBPS Clerical, IBPS PO, SBI Clerk, SBI PO, RBI Assistant etc.), SSC, MBA entrance exams (CAT, XAT, SNAP etc.), CLAT (new pattern), UGC-NET and many more. Here you will be asked a set of questions based on common data. The questions are generally from arithmetic concepts. To handle this part, you must be very good at calculations. Here are some important calculation skills those are required-

Addition/Subtraction should be very fast You must practice addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers. Usually candidates ignore this part resulting into their slow speed.

Tables till 20 You must memorize the tables till 20 by heart. This is the key to division also.

Percentage calculation You must practice the percentage calculation with random numbers. You should be able to calculate any number ‘a’ as a percentage of any number ‘b’ within seconds. The concept of percent equivalent or reciprocals would help here.

Percent Equivalents You should memorize the following percent equivalent values so that you can think of percentages in a faster manner.

Approximation In DI, approximation is the key. Most of the times, only approximating the result would eliminate the wrong options and you would not need the actual calculations.

— The writer is MBA (Systems), M.Tech (IT) and Mentor at Gradeup

How to Solve DI fast?

Data Interpretation consists of the question based on Arithmetic concepts but it is not be solved like Math or Quantitative Aptitude as it consists of large amount of data. The approach is very important here. Let’s discuss few important points-

• Don’t spend much time on looking at the data given. As you don’t know what is to be done with that data. So, move to first question on that data as soon as possible. Just go through the theory given in the data (if any) and look for the important information in that.
• In any given data set, not all the questions are difficult or time consuming. You may adopt one of the following approaches –

a. The SOA (Some of All) approach This approach is ideal for those who are good at comprehension. If you can understand the data in quick time, follow this approach. Attempt the easy questions of all the DI sets given. This will maximize your score.

b. The AOS (All of Some) approach – If you are slow at comprehension, then this would be the best strategy for you. Start attempting DI sets one by one and try to attempt all the questions of every set.

• Attempt questions through visualizing, comparing data, using options, and above all approximating and eliminating the choices. While preparing also, you should practice these techniques.
• Try using assumed mean method while calculating averages. It is going to very helpful in calculating averages of large data.
• Above all, revise the concepts of Arithmetic. The clarity of basic concepts is needed to handle DI in a fast manner.

Types of Data Interpretation

The data is provided in one of the following forms

Tabular Data In this type, the data is provided in the table format. This is one form of DI that most of us are very comfortable with. Because we have seen this form of data so many times in our life. One of the unforgettable examples is the report card of every class.

Line Graphs The data is given in Line graphs where you will read the data through x and y axis. This is one of the easiest form of data interpretation. From the slope of the lines it is clearly understood where the data is growing and where it is declining. With practice you can easily answer the questions based on comparison of growth or percentage changes etc. without calculations.

Bar Graphs This form is almost similar to Line graphs. The only difference is that instead of lines there are bars. In both line and bar graphs, you should practice to visualize the data and compare instead of complete calculations.

Pie Charts In this form of DI, the data is distributed in sectors of a circle. Some common example of data given in Pie charts are – Expenditure of a particular household, Cost distribution of any product, Market share of various companies etc. The data may be given in values, percentages or in degrees. Here you must also know the percentage to degree conversion or vice versa.

You may memorize certain values to convert fast from degrees to percentage or percentage to degrees.

1% = 3.6°, 10% = 36°, 20% = 72°, 30% = 108°, 40% = 144°, 50% = 180°

5% = 18°, 15% = 54°, 25% = 90°

Other Graphs – Radar or Triangular Charts etc

There are various other forms in which different exams had given the data in recent past. In most of those cases, the only important part which was tested that whether you can read and understand different formats of data.

Caselet Data

In this type of DI, the data is given in theoretical form. Generally, the caselets are based on arithmetic problems or set theory. There are very high chances of getting questions based on set theory or Venn diagrams in this type of DI. You need to draw the Venn diagram and fill the data according to the question. The set theory questions may be based on two sets or three sets depending on the level of the exams.

The questions asked in Data Interpretation are generally based on Arithmetic concepts. One must have a good understanding of –

• Percentage
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Ratio
• Average, Weighted Average
• Time, Speed and Distance
• Time and Work