GMAT Table Analysis: Complete Strategy Guide

What is Table Analysis?

Table Analysis questions, a unique feature of the GMAT Data Insights section, present you with a sortable table of data, similar to a spreadsheet. Your task is to evaluate three separate 'yes/no' or 'true/false' statements based on the information in the table. You will be given one question prompt that contains three statements, each with its own binary answer choice (e.g., Yes/No). To get the question correct, you must answer all three statements accurately; there is no partial credit.

The Core Strategy: Sort, Don't Scan

The single most important feature of Table Analysis is the ability to sort the table by any column. Many test-takers make the mistake of manually scanning the table for information, which is slow and prone to error. The key to success is to use the sorting function strategically to quickly reveal the patterns and data you need.

A 4-Step Process

1. Understand the Table: Before reading the statements, take 15-20 seconds to understand the table's structure. What does each column represent? What are the units?
2. Analyze the First Statement: Read the first of the three statements carefully. Determine what you need to find in the table to verify it.
3. Sort Strategically: Identify which column you should sort to answer the statement most efficiently. For example, if a statement asks about the 'highest' or 'lowest' value, sort that column accordingly.
4. Evaluate and Repeat: Based on the sorted data, determine if the statement is true or false. Then, repeat this process for the remaining two statements.

Common Question Types and How to Approach Them

• Range, Mean, or Median: If a statement asks for the median of a certain column, sort by that column and find the middle value. For the range, sort the column to quickly identify the highest and lowest values.
• Correlations: To determine if there is a relationship between two variables (e.g., 'Do profits generally increase as sales increase?'), sort the table by one variable and then observe the behavior of the other variable.
• Conditional Statements: These statements often take the form 'If X is true, then Y is also true.' To evaluate these, first sort the table to isolate all rows where condition X is met. Then, within that subset of data, check to see if condition Y is always met.

Common Traps to Avoid

• Forgetting to Clear the Sort: After you've sorted a column to answer one statement, remember that the table will remain sorted that way for the next statement. Always re-sort the table based on the needs of the current statement you're evaluating.
• Confusing 'And' vs. 'Or' Conditions: Pay close attention to the logic in the statements. A condition like 'greater than X and less than Y' is much more restrictive than 'greater than X or less than Y'.
• Misinterpreting the Question: The statements can be worded in a tricky way. Read each one carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it's asking. For example, 'Is the average of column A greater than the median of column B?' requires multiple steps and careful reading to execute correctly.