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Study Material for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, Prasar Bharti, FCI Exams : Introduction To Data Interpretation
Introduction of Data Interpretation
A Government executives must face lo ts of facts and figures in everyday business. Normally these facts are presented in more compact and precise forms such as
- Tables (known as data tables)
- Charts (Pie, Bar, Pert, etc.)
- Graphs (2D and 3D)
- Diagrams (Geometric or Venn diagram)
An executives must possess basic skills on deciphering the data from the above mentioned precise forms of tables, charts etc. which enhances his/her administrative efficiency. This ability is known as data interpretation.
Example-1:
Question: These questions are based on following table, which gives the details of Distribution of paper industry in India during 1997 especially state wise no of mills, its production capacity in thousand metric ton and Percentage of mills of all India it possess.
State No. of Mills Production Capacity (in ‘000 MT) Percentage of all India
Maharashtra 63 624 16.52 Andhra Pradesh 19 427 11.3 Gujarat 55 369 9.77 Uttar Pradesh 68 336 8.89 All India (Total) 379 3778 100
Q. Which of the state has lowest productivity with respect to number of
mills it possesses?
(a) Maharashtra (10.19)
(b) Andhra Pradesh (22.47)
(c) Gujarat (6.71)
(d) Uttar Pradesh (4.94) Ans: d
Note: Also there may be few questions unable to interpret using available chart or tables. It needs careful attention however it is very easy.
Question Patterns of Data Interpretation
There are a multiple ways in which data can be shown to you. They are various forms of tables, charts, bars, diagrams. For SSC exams, you can expect Data Interpretation questions on singular bar, multiple bars, tables, pie chart, line diagram etc. There you will be provided certain data and instructions. On the basis of the instructions you have, you have to answer the questions asked to you, along with the data.
Ways to Prepare for Data Interpretation
For interpreting data, you should read a lot. Read lot of business reports
and the analysis given with the presentation of data. This will give you a fair
idea on how data are presented and how to interpret or analyze them. You must
read articles, especially on business which are heavy on data and analyze them.
This will keep your ‘DI cells’ on toes. In a similar note, Refer to the graphs
and data provided in various business papers and magazines. You need to identify
techniques to solve questions which require big and time consuming calculations.
At this stage, when there are few months left for SSC exam you should solve at
least three to four Data Interpretation sets every day. Also, you need to be
good with quick calculation of ratios, percentages, etc. With consistent
practice, you will be able to achieve the same.
While Solving Data Interpretation Questions
While solving the Data Interpretation questions, you must keep some points in mind. Experts suggest the following points which you should keep in mind while you start attempting the Data Interpretation questions.
- Read the title carefully
- Take your time and read both the questions and data set carefully. Understand what you are being asked to do before you begin figuring out the information.
- Check the data and types of information required. Be sure that you are looking at the right part of graph or chart, i.e., on paper columns or rows or proper lines.
- Read the parameters listed along with axes and the scale. This is the most important points as generally one assumes standard scale as 1 unit = 100 or 1 unit = 10. Also the scales of two axes might be different.
- The footnotes give the additional information for particular data. This
also explains the jargons and lists the formulae that might be needed to
solve the questions asked.
Check the units required. Be sure that your answer is in thousand, millions or whatever it is that the question specifies.