SNAP 2025 High-Scoring Data Interpretation Topics

Topics

Importance

Tables / Pie Charts / Bar Graphs / Line Graphs (DI)

• Interpretation of data from tables / graphs / mixed charts.
• Why high scoring: These are relatively straightforward once you’re comfortable with reading off data and doing quick calculations.
• How to practise: Work many past‐year DI sets. Focus on speed (since you’ll have ~20 Qs for Quant+DI in ~60 minutes) and accuracy.

Arithmetic Basics (Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Time-Speed-Distance, Time-Work, Mixtures & Alligations)

• Featured in syllabus prominently.
• Why: Strong foundational topics; many aspirants trip over time or mistakes here. If you’re crisp, you can bag them.
• How: Revise formulas & do many problems; aim for no silly errors.

Algebra (Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Surds & Indices, Progressions/Series)

• Why: Questions here tend to be formula or pattern-based; if you know the concepts you can solve fairly quickly.
• How: Make sure you recall key identities; practise solving under time pressure.

Number System / Modern Math (Base system, Remainders, Logarithms, Set Theory, Probability / Permutation & Combination)

• Why: These topics may appear moderately rarely but when they do the pool of aspirants who are comfortable is small → less competition.
• How: Identify your weaker areas among these, strengthen them so you can pick the “low‐hanging” ones confidently.

Coordinate Geometry / Geometry & Mensuration (lines & angles, triangles, circles, 2D/3D shapes)

• Why: Though they sometimes take longer, if you pick simpler ones you can score. Some recent sources also say this is “overlooked but scoring”.
• How: Focus more on simpler figures and ones that require direct formula application rather than heavy derivation.

Important Topics

Tips

Tables

• Identify totals and subtotals first.
• Use approximate calculations for ratios/percentages if allowed.
• Focus on comparison-based questions—they are faster than absolute value calculations.

Bar Graphs & Column Charts

• Read the scale carefully.
• Note trends first (highest, lowest, increasing / decreasing).
• Percentage-based questions are easier than exact value calculations.

Line Charts

• Spot intersection points and extremes quickly.
• Look for slope trends to estimate percentage change.
• Approximation works if exact values are not visible.

Pie Charts

• Check for totals (should sum to 100%).
• Convert percentages into fractions for easier calculation.
• Look for combined segment questions—they are common.

Mixed Graphs

• Treat each component separately first, then combine insights.
• Often 1–2 questions are calculation-heavy; others are observation-based.

Caselets / Passage-based DI

• Extract data into a mini-table quickly.
• Focus on relationships and percentages.
• Usually, 4–5 questions are asked from one caselet.

Venn Diagrams

• Draw quick diagrams.
• Identify overlaps clearly.
• Solve systematically (Total = Only A + Only B + Both).

Ratios, Percentages, and Averages

• Memorize shortcut formulas.
• Look for proportionality rather than absolute values.
• Approximation often works in SNAP.

Profit & Loss

• Identify profit/loss percentage first.
• Convert to common base for comparisons.
• Often combined with ratio or trend-based questions.

Time Series / Growth Analysis

• Look for the base year clearly.
• Focus on difference rather than absolute numbers if allowed.
• Trend spotting reduces calculation.

Approximation and Estimation

• Round numbers smartly (e.g., 498 → 500).
• Prioritize speed over exactness unless asked.
• Reduces calculation time significantly.