Student Performance Data for Four Districts in the Regional Education CooperativeDistrictAverage Math ProficiencyAverage Reading ProficiencyNorthfield...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Student Performance Data for Four Districts in the Regional Education Cooperative
| District | Average Math Proficiency | Average Reading Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Northfield | 78% | 82% |
| Westbrook | 91% | 89% |
| Southdale | 64% | 69% |
| Eastmont | 88% | 84% |
The Regional Education Cooperative spans over 800 square miles, encompassing urban, suburban, and rural communities with vastly different demographic profiles and resource allocations. Because these districts serve populations with such varied socioeconomic backgrounds and educational funding levels, student outcomes differ dramatically across the region depending on district location. This disparity is particularly evident in _____
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
Westbrook's average math proficiency was \(91\%\), while Southdale's was \(64\%\).
Eastmont's average reading proficiency was \(84\%\), while Northfield's was \(78\%\).
both Westbrook and Eastmont achieved math proficiency above \(85\%\).
Southdale's average reading proficiency was \(69\%\), compared to its math proficiency of \(64\%\).
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The Regional Education Cooperative spans over 800 square miles, encompassing urban, suburban, and rural communities with vastly different demographic profiles and resource allocations.' |
|
| 'Because these districts serve populations with such varied socioeconomic backgrounds and educational funding levels, student outcomes differ dramatically across the region depending on district location.' |
|
| 'This disparity is particularly evident in _____' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Student performance varies dramatically across districts in the Regional Education Cooperative due to different demographic profiles and resource allocations.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a large, diverse educational cooperative, explains that demographic and funding differences cause dramatic performance variations, then signals that specific data evidence will demonstrate this disparity.
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 table, we need to find the most dramatic difference between districts that would best complete 'This disparity is particularly evident in _____.'
- The passage emphasizes that outcomes 'differ dramatically,' so we want the clearest, most dramatic example of disparity
- Scanning the data: Westbrook has 91% math (highest) while Southdale has 64% math (lowest) - that's a 27-point gap
- In reading, the gaps are smaller
- Within-district comparisons wouldn't show disparity across the region
- So the right answer should show the most dramatic performance gap between districts, likely the 27-point difference in math scores
Westbrook's average math proficiency was \(91\%\), while Southdale's was \(64\%\).
✓ Correct
- Shows the most dramatic gap in the data - 27 percentage points between highest and lowest math performance
- Perfectly demonstrates 'dramatic' regional disparity mentioned in the passage
- Uses specific data points that clearly illustrate the vast difference in student outcomes
Eastmont's average reading proficiency was \(84\%\), while Northfield's was \(78\%\).
✗ Incorrect
- Shows only a 6-point gap in reading scores (\(84\%\) vs \(78\%\))
- This modest difference doesn't support the claim of 'dramatic' disparity
both Westbrook and Eastmont achieved math proficiency above \(85\%\).
✗ Incorrect
- Shows similarity between two high-performing districts rather than disparity
- Actually contradicts the idea of dramatic differences by highlighting districts that perform similarly
Southdale's average reading proficiency was \(69\%\), compared to its math proficiency of \(64\%\).
✗ Incorrect
- Compares performance within one district (Southdale's reading vs math) rather than across districts
- Doesn't address regional disparity between different districts as described in the passage