Learn how to skillfully draw meaningful comparisons and highlight variations from quantitative data.
The "Command of Evidence" question type on the digital SAT is designed to test students' comprehension, analytical, and reasoning prowess as they interact with diverse text passages and informational graphics.
This guide will focus on the quantitative variant (for the text variant, see our Command of Evidence (Textual) Guide), which requires students to skillfully gather, understand, assess, and blend information from quantitative data usually in the form of a table or graph, encouraging a comprehensive approach to various kinds of information.
These questions may seem like they are math questions, and they do require very basic understanding of mathematical principles such as numbers and percentages, but the core challenge is to identify the right pieces of evidence and use them to complete a passage, a very reading-comprehension-heavy task.
Survey on Public Trust in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Implementations in Various Health Sectors
| Sector | Low Trust (%) | Moderate Trust (%) | High Trust (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Procedures | 31 | 17 | 52 |
| Surgical Assistance | 68 | 12 | 20 |
| Mental Health Counseling | 39 | 18 | 43 |
| Physical Therapy | 22 | 19 | 59 |
| Medical Data Analysis | 15 | 11 | 74 |
Note: Rows in the table may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
Researchers Laura Cortes and Elijah Kemp, specialists in AI ethics, conducted a survey to gauge public trust in the potential application of AI in various health sectors. The participants were asked to express their level of trust regarding the effectiveness of AI in performing different health-related tasks. The trust levels varied significantly among different health sectors, illustrating that ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the sentence?
A) 74% of respondents have high trust in AI's effectiveness in medical data analysis, contrasting with only 20% who express the same level of trust for its role in surgical assistance.
B) 43% of respondents have high trust in the effectiveness of AI in mental health counseling, but 39% have low trust in the same sector.
C) 17% of participants exhibit moderate trust in the use of AI in diagnostic procedures, which is a similar percentage to those who have moderate trust in AI for mental health counseling.
D) 68% of participants express low trust in AI's potential effectiveness in surgical assistance.
First, you need to grasp the researchers' goal: they are analyzing public trust levels concerning AI in various health sectors. Recognize that the statement you need to complete should ideally draw a comparison or highlight a notable trend or contrast within the data.
Mini Question
What is the main purpose of Cortes and Kemp's study?
Before looking at the options, analyze the table. Notice the sectors where trust is highest and where it is lowest. You're looking for stark contrasts or surprising similarities that are noteworthy.
Mini Question
Based on the table, which sector garnered the highest level of “High Trust” from respondents?
Given the data and still without looking at the answer choices, think about what an insightful completion to the statement might be. Don't focus on details such as the wording of the statement - just focus on the general idea of the statement.
Mini Question
What type of information would be most relevant to complete the sentence insightfully?
Go through each option and consider whether it reflects an insightful use of the data:
Choice A draws a direct contrast between the highest and lowest trust levels, highlighting a significant difference in public perception.
Choice B discusses high and low trust within a single sector, missing the opportunity to compare different sectors.
Choice C makes a less impactful point by comparing moderate trust levels, not the most significant statistic in the context.
Choice D only presents a negative aspect, not utilizing the data's comparative potential.
Systematically rule out the less effective options. B, C, and D don't draw meaningful comparisons between sectors, which would most effectively illustrate the sentence's point about variation in trust
Confirm that choice A not only seems correct based on the data but also that it logically completes the sentence in a way that aligns with the study's intent. It should make a meaningful comparison that underscores the public's varied trust in AI across different health sectors.
Take a moment to fully grasp what the table shows and what the accompanying text says. The correct answer often hinges on correctly understanding the scenario.
Think about what you expect the sentence completion to be based on the data. Formulating your insight can guard against getting misled by tricky options.
In data interpretation, options that draw meaningful comparisons or contrasts between data points are often more insightful.
Be cautious of options that state a fact from the table but don't effectively complete the sentence in a way that aligns with the research's main point or objective.
Ensure your choice is logically sound and completes the sentence in a contextually relevant and insightful way. The option should match the study's focus and intent.
Now that you've mastered this question type, it's time to test your skills
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