Table Analysis
This topic covers sorting tables, filtering rows, comparing columns, thresholds, categories, rates, proportions, and determining whether conditions are met.
How to study for the GMAT
Build every answer around the exact decision: problem setup, argument gap, passage support, data source, sufficiency, table filter, graph label, or linked two-part condition.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Table Analysis questions test the reasoning and decision skills used on the current GMAT exam.
Exam cue: Name the task type: problem solving, reading comprehension, critical reasoning, data sufficiency, multi-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, or two-part analysis.
Concept 2
The strongest answer identifies the business-relevant task, data source, argument relationship, arithmetic setup, or decision criterion before comparing choices.
Exam cue: Check constraints, units, variables, claim structure, source tabs, table filters, graph axes, and whether the answer is enough to make the decision.
Concept 3
Eliminate choices that answer a different question, overlook a condition, misuse a source, ignore sufficiency, or rely on specialized outside knowledge.
Exam cue: Use review and edit time to verify the exact question, not just the topic that first looked familiar.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Solving a nearby math or reading task while missing the decision the item actually asks for.
Guardrail: Use a 15-second safety pause before finalizing your action.
Using outside business knowledge instead of the evidence, data, or argument in the prompt.
Guardrail: Use a 15-second safety pause before finalizing your action.
Ignoring GMAT-specific constraints such as no calculator in Quant and sufficiency rather than calculation in Data Insights.
Guardrail: Use a 15-second safety pause before finalizing your action.
Memory anchors
Sort
Sorting a table can reveal highest, lowest, or ordered relationships.
Filter
Filtering focuses only on rows that meet conditions.
Column
A column identifies one variable or measurement.
Row
A row identifies one case, group, or observation.
Threshold
A threshold is the cutoff a value must meet or exceed.
Category
A category groups rows by a shared label or feature.
Rate
A rate compares a measure per unit of another.
Proportion
A proportion compares part to whole.
Condition
A condition determines whether a row qualifies.
Table Trap
A table trap uses the right number from the wrong row or column.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Table — Product performance ($ thousands) Product A: Revenue 120; Cost 80; Growth 5% Product B: Revenue 150; Cost 105; Growth 3% Product C: Revenue 90; Cost 54; Growth 8% Product D: Revenue 130; Cost 91; Growth 6% After adding a Profit column equal to Revenue minus Cost and sorting descending, which product appears first?
Table — Product performance ($ thousands) Product A: Revenue 120; Cost 80; Growth 5% Product B: Revenue 150; Cost 105; Growth 3% Product C: Revenue 90; Cost 54; Growth 8% Product D: Revenue 130; Cost 91; Growth 6% Filter for Growth of at least 5 percent and Profit Margin above 32 percent, where Profit Margin = (Revenue − Cost)/Revenue. Among the remaining rows, which product has the highest revenue?
Answer all questions to submit.
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Move forward only after this module is stable.
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