Data Interpretation (DI) meaning understanding the given data to get inferences with the proper analysis of that data. This type of questions provides data in the form of Tables or Bar Charts or Pie Charts or in Graph Format. Candidates required to interpret and analyze the data in a smart way to find the correct answer.
Below are five principles to solve Data Interpretation questions:
The secret is Data Interpretation questions are easy to solve. Just remember this and then work around solving DI.
Concepts of Ratio and Percentage are same – 50% is 1/2, 25% is 1/4, 12.5 % is 1/8, 6.25% is 1/16 and likewise. Work on these numbers in mind and you will start viewing 100% as full pizza. You will find reading bar diagram, line graphs, pie diagram is easier than reading tables. Actually these diagram are used for easy representation. If you feel gap in conceptual understanding in DI questions, study Percentage and Ratio & proportion chapters and practice questions from these.
Approximation and fast calculations -Improving your calculations is the most important step for Data Interpretation. Both accuracy and speedmatter. Do calculations in your mind rather than using pen and paper. In the starting it would take some time to do mental calculations, but gradually you will see a mark difference in your speed. Approximation is not guess but mathematics, learn these techniques for which you may watch videos on YouTube.
Skipping the question – Normally there are 4-5 questions in a set, one question out of the set is very calculative and time consuming. You need to identify such questions in 5 seconds and skip these.
Practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect. – You need to practice right questions matching the difficulty level of the exam.
Check: UGC NET Paper 1 – 6,000 Practice Questions & Answers
Understand the concepts when answer is “Can’t be Determined” These questions are very tricky and some time our answer may go wrong in solving questions speedily.
Remember below basic maths to make our calculations faster in Data Interpretation:
- Mathematical tables up to 20.
- Squares of numbers 12 to 302 .
- Cubes of numbers 13 to 203.
- Powers of 2 up to 6.
- Powers of 3 up to 5.
- Fractional values 1/2, 1/3 ……… 1/20.
- Percentages
- Averages
- Ratio and Proportions.
- Addition Tips.
- Multiplication Tips.
- Division Tricks.
- Shortcut Methods and Formulas of Aptitude Topics.
Percentages | Averages | Ratio and Proportions.
Set1: 1/2 = 50% | 1/3 = 33.33% | ¼ = 25% | 1/5 = 20% | 1/6 =16.66% | 1/7 = 14.28% | 1/8 = 12.5% | 1/9 = 11.11% | 1/10 = 10% | 1/11 =9.09 % | 1/12 = 8.33% | 1/13 = 7.69% | 1/14 = 7% | 1/15 = 6.66% | 1/16 = 6.25% | 1/17 = 5.88% | 1/18 =5.55% | 1/19 = 5.26% | 1/20= 5%
Set2: 5%= 1/20 = 0.05 | 10% =1/10 =0.1 | 15% =3/20 | 20% = 1/5 | 25% = ¼ | 30% =3/10 | 40% =2/5 | 50% =1/2 | 55%=11/20 | 60% = 3/5 | 70% = 7/10 | 75% = 3/4 | 80% = 4/5 | 90% = 9/10 | 100%=1 | 6 ¼ % = 1/6 | 12 ½ % = 1/8 | 16 2/3 % = 1/6 | 33 1/3 % = 1/3 | 66 2/3 % =2/3 | 125% =5/4 | 150% = 3/2
Percentage Change = [(final value – Initial Value)/Initial value]*100
If the price of item increases by R% Then the reduction in consumption as not to increase expenses is [R/ (100+R) ]* 100
If the price of the item decreases by R% Then the increase in consumption [R/(100-R)]*100.
Check: UGC NET Paper 1 – Last 11 Years Question Papers with Answers
Population:
After n years = P*[1+R/100]n
N years ago = P/ [(1+R/100)]n
Machine:
Value after n years = p * (1- R/100 )n
Value n years ago = P / (1- R/100)n
Shortcut Formulas useful to solve simplifications faster.
- (a3 – b3) = (a-b) (a2 + ab + b2)
- (a3 + b3) = (a+b) (a2 – ab + b2)
- (a + b)2 + (a – b)2 = 2( a2 + b2)
- a4 – b4 = (a –b) (a+b) (a2 – b2)
- (a5-b5)=(a-b) [a4+a3b+a2b2+ab3+b4].
Sum of first n odd numbers
= 1 + 3 + 5 + ………… + (2n-1)= n2
Sum of first n even numbers
= 2 + 4 + 6 + …………+ 2n = n (n+1).
Sum of first n natural numbers
= 1+2+3 +4 + ……..+n = n(n+1)/2.
Sum of squares of first n natural numbers
=12 + 22 + 32 + 42 + 52 + 62 + …………+n2.
= [n (n+1)(2n+1)]/6.
Sum of cubes of first n natural numbers
= 13 + 23+33 + 43 + …… + n3
= [n(n+1)/2]2
Mastering Data Interpretation is must for cracking UGC NET exam and learning to solve Data Interpretation means edge of 7–12 questions.
Enjoy the Data Interpretation and ensure success, all the best.
Refer: UGC NET Exam Preparation Tips & Tricks Archieve
More Resources:
- UGC NET/JRF Exam Reference Books & Study Materials
- CBSE UGC NET : Paper I Preparation Tips
- Reasoning Preparation Tips | Logical Reasoning