The GMAT Data Insights section accounts for one-third of your total score — the same weight as Quantitative and Verbal combined. With 20 questions across five distinct types in 45 minutes, the GMAT Data Insights section demands both analytical precision and smart time management.
Data Insights is one of the three core sections of the GMAT, weighted equally with Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning. Each section contributes one-third to your total score of 205 to 805. The DI section itself is scored on a 60 to 90 scale. The mean DI score based on 531,408 test-takers is 74.89, placing the average test-taker solidly in the middle of the range.
| Feature | Quantitative | Verbal | Data Insights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Questions | 21 | 23 | 20 |
| Time | 45 min | 45 min | 45 min |
| Score Range | 60-90 | 60-90 | 60-90 |
| Weight | One-third | One-third | One-third |
| Calculator | No | No | Yes |
| Question Types | Problem Solving | CR, Reading Comp | DS, GI, TA, TPA, MSR |
| Adaptive | Yes | Yes | Yes |
In the current GMAT (formerly called the "Focus Edition"), Data Insights replaced the old Integrated Reasoning section and absorbed Data Sufficiency questions from the former Quantitative section. The critical change: DI now counts toward your total score. The old IR section was scored separately on a 1-8 scale and largely ignored by admissions committees. DI is a full third of your score — a fundamental shift in how the GMAT is structured.
| Question Type | % of Section | Avg Time | Format | Key Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Sufficiency | 20-40% | 2 min | Evaluate two statements for sufficiency | Logical reasoning and number sense |
| Graphics Interpretation | 20-30% | 1.5 min | Fill-in-the-blank from graph data | Chart and graph reading |
| Table Analysis | 15-20% | 2 min | Sort table data, answer true/false | Data organization and evaluation |
| Two-Part Analysis | 10-20% | 2.5 min | Solve two linked sub-questions | Multi-step problem solving |
| Multi-Source Reasoning | 10-20% | 2.5-3 min | Synthesize data from multiple tabs | Information synthesis across sources |
Data Sufficiency is the most common DI question type, making up 20-40% of the section. Each question presents a question and two statements, then asks whether the statements provide enough information to answer the question — alone or in combination. The critical mindset shift: you never solve for the final answer. You only determine whether the information is sufficient. This type was formerly part of the Quantitative section.
GI questions present a graph, chart, or other visual and ask you to complete two sentences using dropdown menus. The graphs can be scatter plots, bar charts, line graphs, or more complex visuals. Read the axis labels and scales carefully before attempting to answer — misreading a scale is the most common error on GI questions.
Table Analysis presents a sortable data table and a set of true/false or yes/no statements about the data. You can sort the table by any column to help find the information you need. The key skill is efficiently identifying which rows and columns are relevant to each statement rather than trying to process the entire table at once.
TPA questions present a scenario with two interconnected sub-questions that share the same set of answer choices displayed in a table. These can be mathematical (find two values that satisfy a relationship) or verbal (identify two roles in an argument). The two parts are often dependent — answering one correctly can help you solve the other.
MSR is widely considered the most challenging DI type. Information is distributed across 2-3 tabbed pages — you might see a text passage on one tab, a table on another, and a chart on a third. The questions require you to synthesize information across tabs to reach a conclusion. Read the questions first, then navigate to the relevant tabs rather than trying to memorize all the data.
Question: Is the integer n divisible by 6? Statement 1: n is divisible by 3. Statement 2: n is divisible by 2.
In Data Sufficiency, you never calculate the final answer — you only determine whether the given information IS enough. This mindset shift is the single biggest key to DS success.
DI scores range from 60 to 90 in 1-point increments. This section score contributes equally with your Quant and Verbal section scores to your total GMAT score of 205 to 805. Based on data from 531,408 test-takers, the mean DI score is 74.89 — so scoring in the upper 70s to low 80s puts you above average.
Like the other GMAT sections, DI is computer-adaptive. The algorithm adjusts question difficulty based on your performance — answer correctly and the questions get harder (and more valuable for your score). Many DI questions have multiple parts, and you must answer all parts correctly to receive any credit. Partial credit is not awarded, which makes careful attention to each sub-question essential.
| Feature | Old IR Section | New DI Section |
|---|---|---|
| Counts toward total score? | No (scored separately 1-8) | Yes (one-third of 205-805) |
| Includes Data Sufficiency? | No (DS was in Quant) | Yes (DS moved to DI) |
| Number of questions | 12 | 20 |
| Time allotted | 30 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Calculator available? | Yes | Yes |
| Computer-adaptive? | No | Yes |
| Question formats | GI, TA, TPA, MSR | DS, GI, TA, TPA, MSR |
If you are using older GMAT prep materials, be aware that Data Sufficiency questions may still appear in the Quant sections rather than DI. Additionally, older strategy guides that advised spending minimal time on IR because it "didn't count" are now dangerously outdated. DI directly impacts your total score and deserves the same preparation intensity as Quant and Verbal.
Practice all five DI question types with Test Ninjas — no credit card required.
Start Practicing for FreeMany DI question types — particularly Data Sufficiency and Two-Part Analysis — rely on the same mathematical concepts tested in Quantitative Reasoning: number properties, algebra, percentages, and ratios. Study Quant fundamentals before diving into DI-specific practice. The analytical skills you build in Quant provide a solid foundation for DI, and you will find DI much more approachable once your math skills are sharp.
Spend 2-3 days on each question type before mixing them. Learn the specific format, common patterns, and strategy for each one. For example, Data Sufficiency requires a fundamentally different mindset (evaluating sufficiency, not solving) than Graphics Interpretation (reading data accurately from visuals). Trying to learn all five simultaneously creates confusion. Build competence type by type, then combine them in mixed practice sets.
With 45 minutes for 20 questions, you have an average of 2 minutes and 15 seconds per question. However, the five question types demand different amounts of time:
If you have spent more than 3 minutes on any single question, make your best guess and move on. There is no penalty for guessing on the GMAT, and spending too long on one question jeopardizes your ability to reach later, potentially easier questions. Never leave a question blank — even a random guess gives you a chance at credit, while a blank is guaranteed zero.
Plan your time allocation across the 5 Data Insights question types for 45 minutes.