5 Strategies for Reading Tables and Graphs

tables and graphs

The SAT reading section and ACT science section require you to understand, interpret and infer information given in tables and various types of graphs. Today we are going to talk about 5 strategies that help you determine what to pay attention to and how to get these questions correct. 

#1 Read the labels and units

You do not want to spend too much time looking at a table or a graph before you get to the questions; to save time, read the labels and units

When you come across a graph or table, read the title as well as any additional labels like on the x- or y-axis or column headers. As you are reading, note the units used. Sometimes, especially on the ACT Science section, a question will ask for an amount of something per 100mL of water but the table or graph shows values per 50mL. Converting the values is simple, but the converting, of course, is not the challenge…the challenge is knowing that you need to convert the values!

When you get to the questions, knowing the basic labels and units on the graphs/tables can help you quickly decide on an answer choice. 

When you get to the questions, knowing the basic labels and units on the graphs/tables can help you quickly decide on an answer choice. For example, maybe you are not sure exactly which table or graph has the information you need to answer a question, or you are not sure what the correct unit is.  Well, if a quick look at the answers choices shows, say, kilogram per cubic meter, then all you have to find is find the table or graph that has values with the unit kilogram per cubic meter and you are well on your way to the answer. So pay attention to those units!

4 Categories of ACT Science Literacy 

#2 Pay attention to types of change 

Pay attention to whether a table or graph is showing independent amounts or cumulative amounts of change. 

For example, you could see cumulative change in a stacked bar graph, and independent change in a line graph. Also pay attention to how much the amounts are changing. Often you will be asked which of something changed the least or the most. Keep in mind that a horizontal line – even with a higher y-value – can show that something is remaining constant, or not changing, even compared to a line or curve with a lower y-value. 

Pay attention to how much the amounts are changing. Often you will be asked which of something changed the least or the most.

When a line or curve increases or decreases rapidly – there is a greater slope or steepness to the line or curve – then this indicates that something has changed significantly. Keep in mind that if the question asks which of something changed the most, this could be an increase or decrease in change, so don’t ignore lines, curves, or values in a table that are decreasing; these could represent the greatest amount of change.  

Kinds of Graphs on the ACT Science Section

#3 Compare tables and graphs 

Remember #1… the reason you need to pay attention to the labels on the tables and graphs is because sometimes you need to compare the information found in various tables and graphs.

Note what makes the tables the same and what makes them different. Think about each as a paragraph: when you read, you should check in with yourself and make sure that you understand the main idea of each paragraph. Well, the same is true with data representation. You look at it and ask yourself, “What is this showing me?”   

Note what makes the tables the same and what makes them different. Ask yourself, “What is this showing me?”   

Maybe you come across two graphs, one for experiment 1 and the next graph for experiment 2. So then you ask yourself, “What is different and the same from experiment 1 to experiment 2?”  Keep the questions broad – main idea, changes in variable or units – and keep your answers simple as well. Just like I say you should only return to a Reading passage with a clear purpose, well, the same is true for a table and graph. You can stare at it all day long, but the information is not going to jump out at you. You need to be looking for something!

How to Ace the SAT Reading Section

#4 Connect information in a table with what is in the passage

So maybe you are not so sure what the “something” is that you are looking for in the table or graph. You do not have a purpose.

Well, then you need to figure out how the table or graph is connected to the passage. Is it supporting an argument in the passage with some data? Is it offering data for an experiment described in the passage… perhaps setting you up so that you can draw a conclusion? 

In order to understand the tables and graph, you need to understand the passage itself and understand how they relate to the passage.  

In order to understand the tables and graph, you need to understand the passage itself and understand how they relate to the passage.  

4 Reading Strategies for Slow Readers

#5 Make inferences – what can you conclude?

Often the SAT and the ACT will ask you to infer a conclusion or make a prediction based on the table, graph, and passage. But you will also notice that every once and a while there will be an answer choice like “not enough information” or “the table/graph does not support…”.  

Now, in the math section you should be suspicious of the “not enough information” answer choice, but when interpreting tables and graphs in the SAT Reading section and ACT Science section, this choice is a valid answer – or an equally possible answer.  

So how do you know what you can conclude? Again, remember #1- first you must know what the table or graph is showing. Then (#4) consider how it relates to what is described or discussed in the passage. Based on both of these strategies, ask yourself: is there a pattern or trend in the data that will allow you to infer or make a prediction? Does the data support what you’re being asked to conclude or infer?  

For example, there was a practice SAT Reading passage that discussed public transportation.  The passage included a circle graph showing the various reasons why the people who were surveyed rode public transportation – things like, for work, when the car doesn’t work, because it is less expensive, or because it is good for the environment. 

But the question asked you to infer whether the percentages would change for the various reasons if the survey took place on a weekend instead of a weekday. Neither the passage nor the graph discussed how public transportation riding habits would change or stay the same from a weekday to the weekend. Thus, the graph did not support any ability to conclude or infer about weekend public transportation riding. 

You need to keep a critical eye and be sure that you’re inferring a conclusion that is aligned with what the data will support.  

You need to keep a critical eye and be sure that you are inferring a conclusion that is aligned with what the data will support.

5 Strategies for Reading Tables and Graphs

Let’s recap. You need to 1) pay attention to the labels and units on the tables and graphs, 2) note increases, decreases, and how values are changing, 3) make sure that you understand the main idea of each table and graph, as well as how they are the same and different from one another, 4) figure out how the table or graph is connected to the passage, and 5) ask yourself: Is there a pattern or trend in the data that will allow you to infer or make a prediction? Does the data support what you are being asked to conclude or infer? And don’t be afraid to select the “not enough information” answer.  

Keep reading and pay attention to charts and graphs that you see in news articles. Perhaps you’ll even find a few places where conclusions are drawn beyond what the data supports!

More ACT Science Strategies:

4 Categories of ACT Science Literacy 
Kinds of Graphs on the ACT Science Section
What’s On the ACT Science Section?

More SAT Reading Strategies:

How to Ace the SAT Reading Section
4 Reading Strategies for Slow Readers
3 Things to Know When Switching from the SAT to the ACT

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