SAT Reading & Writing · Command of Evidence (quantitative)
Researchers measured the time required for two groups to locate a target symbol in a visual display.
Researchers measured the time required for two groups to locate a target symbol in a visual display.
| Display type | Mean search time | Standard deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Low clutter | 2.8 s | 0.7 s |
| High clutter | 4.1 s | 0.8 s |
Which choice most effectively uses the data to support the claim that visual clutter was associated with slower search performance?
| Display type | Mean search time | Standard deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Low clutter | 2.8 s | 0.7 s |
| High clutter | 4.1 s | 0.8 s |
Which choice most effectively uses the data to support the claim that visual clutter was associated with slower search performance?
Answer and explanation
Answer: A: The high-clutter group’s mean search time was 1.3 seconds longer than the low-clutter group’s.
The claim concerns which condition produced slower performance, and A directly compares the two conditions' mean search times, the exact evidence needed. B and C each address the standard deviations, a measure of variability within each condition, not the average speed comparison the claim is about. D is a vague, non-quantitative observation that doesn't address the claim at all.
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