GRE Data Analysis: Guide, Formulas, Tips, & Practice Questions

GRE Data Analysis can feel intimidating, especially when you’re staring at a dense graph with just 90 seconds to find the correct answer. But with the right strategies, formulas, and targeted practice, it becomes one of the most predictable parts of the GRE math section. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: from core data interpretation concepts to real test-day tips, common mistakes, and smart study resources.

Whether you're struggling with tables, stuck on percentage change, or second-guessing how to divide values in data interpretation sets, this article will help you understand the question types, avoid traps, and solve quickly with confidence.

Read: How Long Is Each GRE Section? Timing Tips for Every Part of the Test

What Is GRE Data Analysis?

Data analysis is a subsection of the quantitative reasoning sections on the GRE. You’ll usually see 6–8 data interpretation questions per test, typically presented as data interpretation sets that include a chart, graph, or table, followed by 2–4 questions.

This section tests your ability to:

• Analyze and interpret quantitative data
• Perform basic statistics (mean, median, mode, range)
• Calculate percent, percentage change, and ratios
• Understand probability and data points
• Read and synthesize information in various formats (e.g., tables, bar graphs, line graphs, scatterplots)

GRE data interpretation questions appear in both multiple-choice and numeric entry formats, and occasionally as quantitative comparison problems.

Read: GRE Quantitative Reasoning: Topics, Timing, Scores, & Tips

Key Concepts and Formulas You Need to Know

To score high on GRE data interpretation questions, you don’t need to memorize dozens of equations; you need to recognize patterns and know exactly when and how to apply the right math. Below are the essential concepts and strategic formulas that show up again and again on the test.

1. Descriptive Statistics: The Foundation of Interpretation

Most GRE data sets require quick mental math with basic statistical measures. Know how to find:

• Mean (Average): Add all values and divide by the number of values. Formula: Mean = (Sum of values) ÷ (Number of values)
• Median: The middle value in a sorted list. If an even number of values, take the average of the two middle numbers.
• Mode: The most frequently occurring value.
• Range: Difference between the highest and lowest values (Formula: Range = Max − Min)

Test insight: Expect to calculate means or compare medians from table data, not from raw numbers. Focus on estimating trends or identifying outliers.

2. Ratios, Percentages & Proportions: GRE Favorites

GRE data questions love to disguise simple ratios and percentages in complex charts. These formulas save you time:

• Percentage Change - Formula: ((New − Original) ÷ Original) × 100. Use this for questions comparing time periods or shifts in population, revenue, etc.
• Ratio Basics - Example: If a pie chart shows 60% women and 40% men in a population, the ratio of women to men is 3:2.
• Proportional Distribution - You may be asked to “divide” a total number into parts. Multiply the total by the ratio or percent each group represents.

Test insight: Most errors come from forgetting what the original value is in percent change questions. Write it down to avoid mistakes.

3. Probability (Conceptual, Not Complicated)

The GRE rarely tests deep probability theory, but it does want you to understand it conceptually.

• Basic Probability - Formula: Probability = (Favorable outcomes) ÷ (Total outcomes)
• Single events only - GRE won’t ask you for permutations or combinations unless it’s simple and intuitive.

Test insight: Focus on clear logic over formulas. If you're pulling a card, picking a person, or choosing an item, map out the possible outcomes—don’t overcomplicate.

4. Reading Visuals Strategically: Tables, Graphs, and Charts

Understanding how to read GRE visuals is just as important as knowing what to calculate. Here’s how experts approach it:

Always pay attention to:

• Units & Scales - Are values in thousands? Millions? Is the y-axis scaled evenly?
• Axis Labels & Legends - Many questions hinge on what each axis or color actually represents.
• Footnotes & Extra Details - GRE loves hiding key qualifiers in small text (e.g., “Values in chart are per 1,000 people”).
• Additional Information - Some visuals include text boxes, reference years, or category definitions that change your interpretation.

Common Question Formats

The GRE tests your ability to interpret data through various formats. Expect to see:

• Multiple choice (one answer)
• Multiple choice (one or more answers)
• Numeric entry (you’ll have to write your own answer)
• Quantitative comparison (decide which of two quantities is larger or if they’re equal)

By practicing across these formats, you’ll build confidence to avoid a common mistake: spending too much time on unfamiliar structures instead of working methodically toward the correct answer.

Read: How Long Is the GRE? Test Length, Section Breakdown, and Timing Tips

GRE Data Interpretation Question Types (Visual Breakdown + Examples)

GRE Data Analysis questions fall under the broader Quantitative Reasoning section, but they have their own unique flavor. These problems test your ability to analyze visuals and extract relevant numerical insight quickly. Expect to interpret data across various formats, including:

• Pie charts
• Bar/column graphs
• Line graphs
• Scatterplots
• Histograms
• Tables
• Time series plots

Let’s break down each format, how it’s presented on the GRE, and how to solve questions efficiently.

1. Pie Charts

Pie charts (or circle graphs) represent parts of a whole, usually as percentages. Each slice is a data point that reflects a category’s share of a total.

GRE Tip: Always check if the chart is using percent, degrees, or fractions. If you’re given a total population, multiply the percentage slice by that total to get the actual value.

Example Question: A company’s pie chart shows 25% of its budget is spent on Marketing. If the total budget is $800,000, how much is spent on Marketing?

Answer: 0.25 × 800,000 = $200,000

2. Bar/Column Charts

These are ideal for comparing quantities across categories. Heights (or lengths) of bars represent values. You may see vertical (column) or horizontal bars.

GRE Tip: Always check if the y-axis uses uniform intervals. And look for units—is each bar 100s, 1000s, or percentages?

Example Question: If a bar shows 120 units sold and each unit equals 10 books, how many books were sold?

Answer: 120 × 10 = 1,200 books

3. Line Graphs

Line graphs show changes over time, monthly revenue, annual population growth, or temperature trends. They help assess the magnitude, direction, and consistency of change.

GRE Tip: Watch for irregular intervals on the x-axis. Many test-takers make mistakes assuming months are evenly spaced when they’re not.

Example: From Jan to March, a line graph rises from 10,000 to 15,000. What’s the percentage increase?

Answer: (15,000 - 10,000) / 10,000 × 100 = 50%

4. Scatterplots

Scatterplots visualize relationships between two variables—like hours studied vs. GRE score. Each dot represents one data point, and many plots include a best-fit line.

GRE Tip: Look for trends (positive, negative, or none). But don’t assume cause—just because two variables are correlated doesn’t mean one causes the other.

Example: If hours studied increase and scores rise with them, what kind of correlation exists?

Answer: Positive correlation

5. Histograms

Histograms look like bar charts but represent frequency distributions across ranges or bins (e.g., test scores, ages, income brackets).

GRE Tip: Pay attention to bin width; each bar shows how many values fall within a range (not a single number). Bins must be of equal size to compare fairly.

Example: A bin shows 15 students scored between 160–165. What does this mean?

Answer: 15 students had GRE scores in that 5-point range.

6. Time Plots (Time Series Charts)

Time plots track one or more variables across consistent intervals—days, months, years. They often resemble line graphs but focus on trend detection over time.

GRE Tip: Look for seasonal patterns or anomalies. Does the graph show a spike in one month? A decline over quarters?

Example: Sales rose from $50,000 to $80,000 over four months. What's the average monthly increase?

Answer: (80,000 - 50,000) / 4 = $7,500/month

7. Tables

Tables are used heavily in data interpretation sets. They display raw values in rows and columns, often accompanied by questions requiring calculation, comparison, or estimation.

GRE Tip: Highlight only the relevant rows/columns. GRE tables often contain distracting additional information you don’t need.

Example: The “Q2 Revenue” column shows $120K for Company A and $100K for Company B. What's the difference?

Answer: $20,000

Bonus: Data Interpretation Sets

In the GRE, data interpretation sets are clusters of questions tied to the same tables or graphs. These often include practice question styles that blend statistics and real-world applications, such as analyzing company revenue, population growth, or test results.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Carefully read all details and labels in the graph or tables.
• Extract the data points needed before doing calculations.
• Watch out for tricky wording that requires additional information or conversions.

Reddit Insight: One test taker noted they could handle percentiles and medians easily, but got stuck on overlapping sets. The solution? Break the problem into parts and draw a diagram to solve systematically.

How to Spot Each Format Quickly on Test Day

Real Student Advice (From Reddit)

From r/GRE, here’s what actual test-takers say about this section:

"Do the official ETS questions. They are closest to the real exam format. Magoosh is good, but the style can differ."

"Some DI questions are a trap. Don’t overthink. Most answers can be found directly from reading the table."

"Reading the question before looking at the graph helped me focus and ignore irrelevant data."

Key takeaways:

• Prioritize official GRE resources for realistic practice
• Learn to identify what's relevant in a dataset quickly
• Don’t assume you need to calculate everything; many answers can be estimated

How to Approach GRE Data Interpretation Sets (Without Wasting Time)

Look at the Question Before the Chart

This one strategy can save you minutes. Don’t just start scanning the chart or table; glance at the question first to know what you're actually solving for. Are you calculating a percent change? Comparing two categories? Figuring out a total? Knowing that up front helps you ignore everything else and zoom in on what matters.

Use Your Scratch Paper Like a Second Brain

These questions are built to trip you up if you try to do everything in your head. Use your scratch pad to jot down totals, track values, or write out formulas like percent change or averages. Even just keeping your place with quick notes can stop you from making easy mistakes.

Double-Check Units, Labels, and Footnotes

Some of the trickiest GRE questions hide the twist in the fine print. Are values in thousands or millions? Are you looking at “percent of total” or “percent of category”? Did they quietly mention that data excludes certain groups? These small details can change the entire meaning of the graph — and your answer.

Don’t Do More Math Than You Need To

Especially in multiple choice questions, your goal isn’t to perfectly solve every number; it’s to get to the right answer as quickly as possible. Can you eliminate two obviously wrong choices without doing full math? Can you estimate a range that helps you narrow it down? Use logic just as much as calculation.

Take Numeric Entry Seriously

These aren’t like regular questions where you can eyeball the best option. If a numeric entry question asks for a percent, you need to get it exactly right, including whether they want a decimal, fraction, or whole number. Slow down for these and double-check your final format. These are often where top scorers lose easy points.

GRE Data Interpretation Practice Questions (With Expert Explanations)

These four questions cover the most common data formats on the GRE: tables, bar graphs, pie charts, and quantitative comparison sets. You’ll use real GRE strategies — percent change, proportion, estimation, and comparison.

Practice Question 1: Table – Percentage Change

Dataset: Regional Sales by Quarter

All figures in $1,000s

Question: Which region experienced the greatest percentage increase in sales from Q1 to Q4?

Answer Choices:

A) North

B) South

C) East

D) West

Step-by-Step Strategy:

Use the percentage change formula: (New−Original)/Original×100

Calculate for each region:

• North: (480 − 320) ÷ 320 = 160 ÷ 320 = 0.50 → 50% increase
• South: (440 − 290) ÷ 290 = 150 ÷ 290 ≈ 51.7% increase
• East: (330 − 210) ÷ 210 = 120 ÷ 210 ≈ 57.1% increase
• West: (500 − 400) ÷ 400 = 100 ÷ 400 = 25% increase

Correct Answer: C) East

Explanation: East saw the largest proportional increase, even though its total sales were lower.

Practice Question 2: Stacked Bar Graph – Proportion/Estimation

Visual Description: A stacked bar graph shows the population by age group in a town of 120,000 people:

Question: Approximately what percent of the total population is under 30 years old?

Answer Choices:

A) 18%

B) 22%

C) 40%

D) 45%

Expert Strategy:

Add the two relevant age brackets:

0–14 = 18%

15–29 = 22%

Total = 40%

Correct Answer: C) 40%

Explanation: On the GRE, you’ll often need to combine categories based on phrasing. “Under 30” includes both 0–14 and 15–29. Make sure not to miss this kind of grouping.

Practice Question 3: Pie Chart – Percentage of Total

Visual Description: A pie chart breaks down a company’s $1,000,000 annual budget:

• Marketing: 28%
• Operations: 35%
• R&D: 15%
• Salaries: 17%
• Miscellaneous: 5%

Question: How much was spent on Marketing?

Entry Type: Numeric Entry (Enter your answer in dollars)

Expert Strategy:

This is a direct percentage-of-total problem.

Marketing = 28% of $1,000,000

→ 0.28 × 1,000,000 = $280,000

Correct Answer: 280,000

Explanation: Always double-check the units. This question asks for actual dollars, not a percentage. Numeric entry = exactness.

Practice Question 4: Quantitative Comparison – Multi-Year Table

Dataset: Annual Revenue (in $ millions)

Question: Compare the total revenue from Region A and Region B over 3 years.

Column A: Total revenue for Region A

Column B: Total revenue for Region B

Answer Choices:

A) Column A is greater

B) Column B is greater

C) The two columns are equal

D) Cannot be determined

Strategy:

Add totals directly:

Region A = 120 + 140 + 160 = 420

Region B = 150 + 160 + 145 = 455

Correct Answer: B) Column B is greater

Explanation: GRE comparison questions require precision, not assumptions. Don’t estimate! Do the math and double-check.

How to Study for GRE Data Analysis (6-Week Expert Plan)

If you're aiming for a top quant score, you can’t afford to wing the Data Analysis portion. It’s not about doing more math; it’s about learning how to read visuals, spot traps, and make fast, accurate decisions under pressure. This study plan breaks your prep into three strategic phases: foundation, focused reps, and full-test readiness.

Weeks 1–2: Build Conceptual Understanding and Data Literacy

Start by making sure you understand the fundamentals. That includes core math concepts like ratios, percents, averages, and ranges, but just as importantly, it means getting comfortable reading data in different formats, such as tables, bar graphs, pie charts, scatterplots, and line graphs. Use this phase to review high-yield math topics and watch walkthroughs of real GRE data sets. The goal here isn’t speed but clarity. By the end of week two, you should be able to look at a chart and understand what it’s telling you without overthinking.

Weeks 3–4: Practice by Format, Not Just Volume

Now that you know the core concepts, it’s time to drill deliberately. Focus on one type of visual or question format at a time. For example, spend one session on pie charts, the next on stacked bar graphs, the next on quantitative comparisons using tables. Track which types you consistently miss or spend too much time on. Time yourself: one minute and thirty seconds per question is your target. And don’t just review correct answers. Dig into why wrong answers were tempting and how the question was structured to mislead you. This is where real improvement happens.

Weeks 5–6: Simulate, Refine, and Pressure-Test

This is where you bring it all together. Begin simulating full quant sections under timed conditions and include at least one full-length practice test each week. After each one, spend more time reviewing than you spent taking the test. Categorize your mistakes. Was it a rushed misread? A forgotten formula? An overlooked footnote? Refine your pacing, adjust your scratch work strategy, and rehearse your decision-making process so that by test day, it feels automatic. Your goal isn’t perfection, it’s efficiency and confidence.

Read: GRE Study Plan & Schedule: 1, 3, & 6-Month Templates (From a Pro Tutor)

Final Tips Before Test Day

• Know your core formulas cold, but focus more on recognizing when to apply them than memorizing everything.
• Train yourself to solve directly from the chart or table without over-calculating when estimation is required. Watch for trap answers that feel “right” at first glance but don't hold up under close reading.
• Pay extra attention to units, axis scales, and footnotes. That’s where the GRE hides twists.
• Don’t panic if a question looks complex; data interpretation rewards calm logic over raw speed.
• Use scratch paper to map out what’s actually being asked before diving into the math.
• In numeric entry questions, double-check formatting: decimals, percentages, and rounding all matter.
• Practice under timed conditions so your pacing feels automatic and stress doesn't disrupt your process.
• Treat every visual as a puzzle — not just numbers, but logic disguised in data.

You Don’t Have to Prep Alone

Mastering GRE data analysis is completely doable, but often faster with expert feedback. Whether you’re aiming for a top percentile quant score or just want to stop second-guessing charts, a coach can help you focus on the right concepts and avoid wasting time.

Get personalized GRE coaching to sharpen your data skills and boost your confidence. Explore top GRE coaches here. Also, check out our GRE exam prep bootcamp and free events and group classes for more strategic GRE insights.

See: The 10 Best GRE Tutors

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FAQs About GRE Data Analysis

How many data analysis questions are on the GRE?

• Typically 6–8, spread across 1–2 data interpretation sets.

Is data analysis hard on the GRE?

• It depends on your comfort with charts and basic stats. It’s less about hard math, more about fast interpretation.

What types of visuals appear?

• Expect tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, and combo visuals.

Should I memorize formulas?

• Yes, but more importantly, know when and how to apply them. Focus on percentage, mean, and range.

Where can I find good practice?

• Start with ETS and Manhattan Prep. Then refer to Magoosh and Reddit for strategy.