Bar Graphs basic concept for CAT exam
CAT stands for common aptitude test. CAT Bar Graphs is important and useful in logical section. This topic is an integral part of many competitive exams. An aspirants could except few questions from this topic. As Logical reasoning section contain a total of 20 questions and out of that few questions are from Bar Graphs . A Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation contains 30% weightage in CAT exams.
Questions from this section are frequently asked as per pervious paper analysis. To solve the questions based on Bar Graphs in CAT, candidates first have to understand the concept. Questions requires a candidate to develop a logical approach towards solving questions.
We can solve questions easily if candidate pay attention while reading the question. Read the article to know more about some tricks, concepts, and solved sample questions. Generally, CAT questions are based on the given data, you need to figure out the actual category of persons.
Also read: How to Prepare for CAT
Basic concepts of Bar graphs questions
Calculation of absolute values when given numbers or vice versa.
- Percentage increase or decrease – Data will be given for 2 different time-period and then the candidate needed to calculate the percentage change.
- Simple bar graph – This is the most basic concept of bar graphs. It shows the relationship between one discrete and one continuous variable. Ex: Revenue generated in a company for over 5 years.
- Composite or stacked bar graph – It is a little complex representation of data related to the continuous variable and its sub-group. Ex: Manufacturing of different flavours of ice cream in a company for over 4 years.
- Deviation bar graph – Candidates may be presented with profit and loss of a company in 10 years and then asked questions around it.
- Bar graph with other graphs – Many times, CAT, XAT, IIFT, etc like to give questions with multiple charts while presenting data in the form of bar graph along with pie chart, line graph, table etc.
Types of Bar Graphs
- Simple Bar Chart
- Composite Bar Chart
- Deviation Through Bar Chart
- Stacked Bar Chart
STACKED BAR GRAPH
Stacked Bar chart are similar to composite bar charts in the sense that they are also used to display information about the sub-groups that make up different categories.
In stacked bar chart bars representing the sub-groups are placed on the top of each other to make a single column or side by side to make a single bar. The overall height or length of the bar shows the total size of the category whilst different colors or shadings are used to indicate the relative contribution of the sub-group.
Stacked bar charts are also used to show percentage contribution different sub-groups contribute to each separate category. In this case the bars representing the individual categories are all the same.
How to Prepare for Bar Graphs Questions
To prepare for Bar graph Questions, here are some Level-wise preparatory guidelines to follow
1 Level
- Learn Speed calculation: For an effective and quick calculation, be thorough with tables till 20, memorize squares till 30, and cubes till 15.
- Fraction – Percentage relation: For quick percentage calculation, memorize the fraction-percentage table. For example, 1/2 is 50%, 1/3 is 33.33%, and so on. It will help analyse percentage change, absolute value calculation etc.
- Learn percentage change formula.
- Practice basic questions like one pie chart and then move to higher level questions.
2 Level
- Move on to more complex problems, attempt beginner and intermediate level mock on concepts of Pie charts.
- Solve previous year CAT questions on Pie chart and time yourself. Do not get stuck on one question and try to solve questions for bar graph first.
- Keep attempting mocks to check your performance.
- Topic-wise mocks, provided by MBAP, can be utilized to enhance your performance.
3 Level
- For advanced level preparation, start practicing questions from Arun Sharma.
- Questions in Arun Sharma are categorized into Level of Difficulty (LOD), based upon your preparation level, start attempting 3 or 4 questions daily.
Video’s that could help aspirant.
Solved Example of Bar Graphs
For Example 1:
Questions 1: The ratio of the number of years, in which the foreign exchange reserves are above the average reserves, to those in which the reserves are below the average reserves is?
a.) 2:6
b.) 3:4
c.) 3:5
d.) 4:4
Questions 2: The foreign exchange reserves in 2006-07 was how many times that in 2003-04?
a.) 0.7
b.) 1.2
c.) 1.4
d.) 1.5
Questions 3: For each year, the percent increase of foreign exchange reserves over the previous year, is the highest?
a.) 2001-02
b.) 2002-03
c.) 2003-04
d.) 2005-06
Solution:
As you can clearly notice that all the questions asked above involves simple mathematic calculations and use of concepts such as averages, ratios, percentages etc. You just need to understand the data given in the graph and find the solution to the questions asked hereafter.
Answer 1: In this case, we first need to find the average forex reserve and then find the ratio between the years when they are above the average and below the average.
Average Forex = (2640 + 3720 + 2520 + 3360 + 3120 + 4320 + 5040 + 3120) / 8 = 3480
Now, the years that are below the average = 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2007-08
The years that are above the average = 2001-02, 2005-06, 2006-07
Hence, the ratio will be 3:5
Answer 2: This one is very simple one.
Forex in 2006-07 = 5040
Forex in 2003-04 = 3360
The answer is 5040/3360 = 1.5
Answer 3: In this question we need to use percentages,
First the years in which forex rose compared to previous year = 2001-02, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07
Percentage increase in these years compared to last year, 2001-02 = (3720 – 2640)/ 2640 * 100 = 40.9090%
2003-04 = (3360 – 2520)/ 2520 *100 = 33.33%
2005-06= (4320 – 3120)/ 3120* 100 = 37.88%
2006-07 = (5040 – 4320) / 4320* 100 = 16.67%
Hence, the ans. Is 2001-02
Question for Practice
For Example 2: The following chart represents the number of students of AMS careers at its Lucknow center who passed either the CAT exam or XAT exam or CET exam or none of these exams. (Assume that there are no students who passed more than one exam.)
Question 1: What was the percentage of students who cleared CAT in 2000?
a.) 19.56%
b.) 12.65%
c.) 14.28%
d.) 11.76%
Question 2: What was the percentage of students who succeeded in at least one of the three exams in 2000?
a.) 82.45%
b.) 82.8%
c.) 82.35%
d.) 83.3%
Question 3: Which year showed the best result in MBA entrance exam for the institute (in terms of percentage of students who cleared)?
a.) 2000
b.) 2001
c.) 2002
d.) Cannot be determined
Question 4: What is the percentage increase in the no. of students in 2002 over 2000?
a.) 30%
b.) 17.64%
c.) 117.6%
d.) 85%
In sum for CAT Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation section full guidance visit this link- https://catking.in/how-to-prepare-for-dilr-section-in-cat/
