Data in the SAT (Part 2)

Welcome back to the second part of Data in the SAT!

In my last post, we covered questions about box plots that often appear in the math module of the SAT. Today, however, we will be learning about data in a different module: English. Yes, English.

The English section has multiple different categories for question types, one of which is called "Information and Ideas." Information and Ideas covers around 25% of the English question and tests students' analytical skills. Often, this is done through an interpretation of charts and graphs.

Today, we will be discussing a seemingly simple data science question that is actually tricker than it looks:

Which choice most effectively uses data from the graph to complete the text?

A) Adult fiction

B) Young adult fiction

C) Juvenile fiction

D) All nonfiction

The key words here are "highest percentage increase." At first glance, you might be tempted to look at which genre saw the most upward change––adult fiction, going from around 5% to 42% across the four years. You're looking at the percentages, then how they increase.

But you might have forgot to read the y-axis label. It clarifies that the percentages already represent the "increase in sales." You're not looking for the genre whose increase in increase in sales (what a mouthful) is the highest, but rather which genre reached the highest point overall. That gives you B: Young adult fiction. Only about 50% of students answered correctly!

Especially for the English questions, which are looking to trick you with every turn, it is increasingly important that you read every part of the question carefully. So, when it comes to these data questions, my best recommendation is that you read the title/axes and generally skim the data before reading the accompanying paragraph. That way, you already have a good idea of the study and resulting patterns before they try to trick you.

Best of luck!

Credits:

UWorld. “UWorld | Test Prep for NCLEX, SAT, ACT, MCAT, USMLE & More!” UWorld Test Prep, 2026, https://www.uworld.com/ srsltid=AfmBOorUGZQgyH9usrhNslnuZ2wyJILCpaR7rzAGMy7l-GIRZ6lhjo_R.