What Is Table analysis on the GMAT?

Definition

Table Analysis questions present you with a table of data (often with multiple rows and columns) that you can sort by clicking on column headers. You are asked to answer a series of questions, typically in the form of statements that you must evaluate as 'True' or 'False' (or sometimes 'Yes'/'No', 'Supported'/'Not Supported'). The data may be numeric, categorical, or a mix.

Why It Matters on the GMAT

Table Analysis is one of the four question types in the IR section, which has a separate score (1-8) and is important for business school admissions. It tests your ability to handle data efficiently—a skill you'll need in management roles. Because the IR section is adaptive, performing well on Table Analysis can help boost your overall IR score. Moreover, many test-takers find Table Analysis to be one of the more manageable IR types if they know how to approach it strategically.

A Concrete Example

Imagine a table listing sales data for a chain of stores, with columns: Store Name, Region, Quarter, Sales (in $), and Customer Satisfaction Score. You can sort by any column. A typical question might ask: 'For each of the following statements, select True if it is supported by the data, otherwise select False.'

Example statement: 'Stores in the West region had higher average sales than stores in the East region in Q3.'

To answer, you would sort by Region, then by Quarter, and filter for Q3. Then you'd compute the average for West and East and compare. This requires careful sorting and quick arithmetic.

Common Mistakes

• Not using the sort feature: The table is sortable, but some test-takers try to scan manually, wasting time and increasing error risk.
• Misreading the question: Overlooking keywords like 'all', 'none', 'exactly', or 'average' can lead to wrong answers.
• Ignoring units or scales: Data may be in thousands or percentages; failing to notice can skew your analysis.
• Making assumptions: Only use data provided in the table; do not infer outside information.
• Rushing: Table Analysis questions often have multiple statements; take time to verify each one.

How to Practice It

To improve, practice with official GMAT IR questions. When practicing, focus on:

• Familiarizing yourself with the sorting feature and how it affects data order.
• Developing a systematic approach: read the question first, then sort accordingly, and note relevant rows.
• Improving mental math for quick averages and comparisons.
• Reviewing explanations to understand common traps.

Time yourself to simulate test conditions, and aim to complete each question in under 2.5 minutes.