GMAT Integrated Reasoning Multi-Source Reasoning Quiz

1. A company's quarterly revenue increased 12% while operating costs decreased 8%. By what percentage did profit margin improve?

4%

Between 12% and 20%

Cannot be determined from the given data

20%

Profit margin depends on the ratio of profit to revenue, not just the individual percentage changes in revenue and costs.

Explanation

Profit margin depends on the ratio of profit to revenue, not just the individual percentage changes in revenue and costs.

2. If three sources report that a market trend affects 40%, 55%, and 50% of consumers respectively, what can you conclude about the actual percentage?

Exactly 48%

Between 40% and 55%

The actual percentage lies somewhere between the reported figures

Cannot determine without knowing source reliability

When multiple sources report different figures, the true value typically falls within the reported range, though determining exact overlap requires source weighting.

Explanation

When multiple sources report different figures, the true value typically falls within the reported range, though determining exact overlap requires source weighting.

3. A data table shows sales by region, and a passage mentions that Eastern sales exceeded Western sales by 18%. Which region had higher sales?

Eastern

Western

Cannot determine without viewing the table

They are equal

The passage explicitly states Eastern sales exceeded Western sales by 18%, so Eastern region had higher sales.

Explanation

The passage explicitly states Eastern sales exceeded Western sales by 18%, so Eastern region had higher sales.

4. If Source A claims 2,500 units sold and Source B claims 2,450 units, the discrepancy is approximately what percentage?

1%

2%

5%

10%

The difference is 50 units. 50 ÷ 2,500 ≈ 2%, using the larger figure as the base.

Explanation

The difference is 50 units. 50 ÷ 2,500 ≈ 2%, using the larger figure as the base.

5. A pie chart allocates 35% of budget to marketing, 25% to R&D, and 40% to operations. If total budget is $2 million, how much goes to marketing?

$500,000

$700,000

Cannot determine without additional data

$1,000,000

Marketing receives 35% of $2 million: 0.35 × $2,000,000 = $700,000.

Explanation

Marketing receives 35% of $2 million: 0.35 × $2,000,000 = $700,000.

6. Two sources describe the same product's market share: Source 1 says 22%, Source 2 says 25%. What inference is most reasonable?

One source is definitely wrong

The true share is likely between 22% and 25%

The average (23.5%) is always the correct figure

Market share cannot be measured

When credible sources report close figures, the truth typically falls within their range unless one source has known errors.

Explanation

When credible sources report close figures, the truth typically falls within their range unless one source has known errors.

7. A graph shows that Product X sales grew from Year 1 to Year 3. A table indicates Year 2 sales were lower than Year 1. Which conclusion follows?

Year 3 sales exceeded Year 1 sales

Sales declined in Year 2 then recovered in Year 3

Year 3 sales were lower than Year 2 sales

The sources contradict each other

The graph shows Year 1 to Year 3 growth; the table shows Year 2 dipped below Year 1, implying a dip then recovery.

Explanation

The graph shows Year 1 to Year 3 growth; the table shows Year 2 dipped below Year 1, implying a dip then recovery.

8. If source data shows a 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15%, approximately how much did the initial value grow?

45%

52%

60%

Cannot determine without initial and final values

CAGR of 15% over 3 years: (1.15)³ ≈ 1.521, or roughly 52% total growth.

Explanation

CAGR of 15% over 3 years: (1.15)³ ≈ 1.521, or roughly 52% total growth.

9. A passage states 'revenue grew significantly,' and a table shows a 6% increase. Is this description accurate?

Yes, 6% is always significant

No, 6% is never significant

Depends on context, industry standards, and prior performance

Cannot judge without knowing the currency

Significance of growth depends on industry norms, company expectations, and historical context—not the absolute percentage alone.

Explanation

Significance of growth depends on industry norms, company expectations, and historical context—not the absolute percentage alone.

10. Two sources report customer satisfaction: Survey A (1,000 respondents) shows 78%, Survey B (100 respondents) shows 82%. Which is more reliable?

Survey A, due to larger sample size

Survey B, due to higher percentage

Both are equally reliable

Neither source is reliable

Survey A's larger sample size (1,000 vs. 100) typically provides greater statistical reliability and reduces sampling error.

Explanation

Survey A's larger sample size (1,000 vs. 100) typically provides greater statistical reliability and reduces sampling error.

11. A table lists quarterly profits; a graph displays quarterly growth rates. To find the profit in Q2, which source is sufficient?

The table alone

The graph alone

Both sources together

Neither source provides this information

The table directly lists quarterly profits, including Q2; the graph shows growth rates, which require additional data to calculate exact profits.

Explanation

The table directly lists quarterly profits, including Q2; the graph shows growth rates, which require additional data to calculate exact profits.

12. If a report claims cost savings of $500K but provides no baseline or prior-year comparison, what can you assess?

The savings are definitely real

The savings percentage relative to total costs

Only the absolute dollar amount; context is missing

The savings are definitely inflated

Without prior-year or baseline data, you can only note the stated dollar amount; assessing significance requires comparative context.

Explanation

Without prior-year or baseline data, you can only note the stated dollar amount; assessing significance requires comparative context.

13. Three sources report market size: $1.2B, $1.15B, and $1.25B. What is the most reasonable estimate?

$1.2B

Between $1.15B and $1.25B

Approximately $1.2B (the average)

Cannot estimate with this data

The three sources cluster closely; their average ($1.2B) is a reasonable central estimate when sources are similarly credible.

Explanation

The three sources cluster closely; their average ($1.2B) is a reasonable central estimate when sources are similarly credible.

14. A passage mentions 'market volatility,' and a chart shows price swings of ±2% monthly. Is this description justified?

Yes, any price movement is volatility

No, 2% monthly swings are negligible

Possibly, depending on industry norms and investor expectations

Cannot judge without historical price data

Whether ±2% monthly swings constitute 'volatility' depends on the industry, historical norms, and what investors consider acceptable risk.

Explanation

Whether ±2% monthly swings constitute 'volatility' depends on the industry, historical norms, and what investors consider acceptable risk.

15. If one source reports a statistic with a margin of error of ±5% and another reports ±2%, which statement is true?

The second source is always more accurate

The second source has greater precision and lower uncertainty

Both sources are equally reliable

The first source's data is worthless

A ±2% margin of error indicates tighter bounds and lower uncertainty than ±5%, reflecting greater precision in measurement or sampling.

Explanation

A ±2% margin of error indicates tighter bounds and lower uncertainty than ±5%, reflecting greater precision in measurement or sampling.

GMAT Integrated Reasoning Multi-Source Reasoning Quiz

1. A company's quarterly revenue increased 12% while operating costs decreased 8%. By what percentage did profit margin improve?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. If three sources report that a market trend affects 40%, 55%, and 50% of consumers respectively, what can you conclude about the actual percentage?

3. A data table shows sales by region, and a passage mentions that Eastern sales exceeded Western sales by 18%. Which region had higher sales?

4. If Source A claims 2,500 units sold and Source B claims 2,450 units, the discrepancy is approximately what percentage?

5. A pie chart allocates 35% of budget to marketing, 25% to R&D, and 40% to operations. If total budget is $2 million, how much goes to marketing?

6. Two sources describe the same product's market share: Source 1 says 22%, Source 2 says 25%. What inference is most reasonable?

7. A graph shows that Product X sales grew from Year 1 to Year 3. A table indicates Year 2 sales were lower than Year 1. Which conclusion follows?

8. If source data shows a 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15%, approximately how much did the initial value grow?

9. A passage states 'revenue grew significantly,' and a table shows a 6% increase. Is this description accurate?

10. Two sources report customer satisfaction: Survey A (1,000 respondents) shows 78%, Survey B (100 respondents) shows 82%. Which is more reliable?

11. A table lists quarterly profits; a graph displays quarterly growth rates. To find the profit in Q2, which source is sufficient?

12. If a report claims cost savings of $500K but provides no baseline or prior-year comparison, what can you assess?

13. Three sources report market size: $1.2B, $1.15B, and $1.25B. What is the most reasonable estimate?

14. A passage mentions 'market volatility,' and a chart shows price swings of ±2% monthly. Is this description justified?

15. If one source reports a statistic with a margin of error of ±5% and another reports ±2%, which statement is true?