Average Test Scores by Grade Level Across Three Assessment PeriodsAssessment PeriodAverage score for 9th gradersAverage score for 10th gradersFall73.2...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Average Test Scores by Grade Level Across Three Assessment Periods
| Assessment Period | Average score for 9th graders | Average score for 10th graders |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | 73.2 | 68.9 |
| Winter | 78.5 | 74.1 |
| Spring | 76.8 | 72.3 |
Educational researcher Dr. Martinez conducted a longitudinal study tracking academic performance across three assessment periods for high school students. The data showed that the highest performance occurred in _____
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
the Fall period for both 9th and 10th graders.
the Winter period for 9th graders and the Spring period for 10th graders.
the Winter period for both 9th and 10th graders.
the Spring period for both 9th and 10th graders.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Educational researcher Dr. Martinez conducted a longitudinal study tracking academic performance across three assessment periods for high school students." |
|
| "The data showed that the highest performance occurred in ____" |
|
| [DATA TABLE] |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: [RESEARCH CONTEXT] Dr. Martinez's longitudinal study → [INCOMPLETE CLAIM] "Highest performance occurred in ____" → [SUPPORTING DATA] Performance scores across 3 periods for 2 grades
Main Point: Dr. Martinez's study tracked student performance, and the data reveals when peak performance occurred.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a research context, presents an incomplete statement about peak performance, and provides the data table needed to complete that statement accurately.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our data visualization, we need to identify which assessment period shows the highest scores.
- For 9th graders, the scores are: Fall (73.2), Winter (78.5), Spring (76.8) - Winter is clearly highest.
- For 10th graders: Fall (68.9), Winter (74.1), Spring (72.3) - Winter is also highest here.
- Since both grade levels peaked during the Winter assessment period, the statement should be completed with "the Winter period for both 9th and 10th graders."
- So the right answer should identify Winter as the peak performance period for both grades.
the Fall period for both 9th and 10th graders.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Fall had highest performance for both grades.
- Data shows Fall scores were actually the lowest for both grades (9th: 73.2, 10th: 68.9).
- What trap this represents: Students might read the table incorrectly or confuse highest with lowest values.
the Winter period for 9th graders and the Spring period for 10th graders.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Winter for 9th graders and Spring for 10th graders.
- While Winter is correct for 9th graders (78.5), Spring is wrong for 10th graders (72.3 vs. Winter's 74.1).
- Creates a mixed answer when the data clearly shows Winter was best for both.
the Winter period for both 9th and 10th graders.
✓ Correct
- States Winter period for both grade levels.
- Matches our data analysis: 9th graders peaked at 78.5 in Winter, 10th graders peaked at 74.1 in Winter.
- Uses data most effectively by identifying the single period when both groups performed best.
the Spring period for both 9th and 10th graders.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Spring had highest performance for both grades.
- Data shows Spring was middle performance for both grades (9th: 76.8, 10th: 72.3).
- Neither grade achieved their highest score in Spring.