Problem Solving and Data Analysis

Problem Solving and Data Analysis includes using ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning to solve problems in real-world situations, including science, social science, and other contexts. It also includes describing relationships shown graphically and analyzing statistical data.  

This group of skills is really about being quantitatively literate and demonstrating a command of the math that resonates throughout college courses, career training programs, and everyday life. 

Problem Solving and Data Analysis includes the following types of questions: 

• Use ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and scale drawings to solve single- and multistep problems.  

• Solve single- and multistep problems involving percentages.  

• Solve single- and multistep problems involving measurement quantities, units, and unit conversion.  

• Use scatterplot, linear, quadratic, or exponential models to describe how the variables are related.  

• Use the relationship between 2 variables to investigate key features of the graph. 

• Compare linear growth with exponential growth.  

• Use 2-way tables to summarize categorical data and relative frequencies and calculate conditional probability. 

• Make inferences about population parameters based on sample data.  

• Use statistics to investigate measures of center of data. Analyze shape, center, and spread.  

• Evaluate reports to make inferences, justify conclusions, and determine appropriateness of data collection methods. The reports may consist of tables, graphs, or text summaries. 

For tutorials and practice questions of all these types, go to Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy at satpractice.org.