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SAT Math Practice
Evaluating Statistical Claims

Distinguish correlation from causation and reason about limitations of observational studies.

12 original evaluating statistical claims questions in the SAT Ranker bank, with instant scoring and an Elo-based rank once you sign up. Below are a few free samples with full explanations.

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Sample question 1 · medium

A study finds a strong positive correlation between household plant ownership and self-reported happiness. Which choice best describes a limitation of concluding that household plant ownership directly causes self-reported happiness?

A strong correlation is sufficient by itself to prove that household plant ownership causes self-reported happiness.
The correlation must be a coincidence and should be ignored entirely.
✓ Correlation alone does not establish causation; a third factor could explain why people with more free time or income may have both.
The study's sample size is automatically too small to be meaningful.

Correlation does not by itself establish causation; a confounding variable could explain the relationship (here, that people with more free time or income may have both), which is why the study alone can't prove direct causation.

Sample question 2 · medium

A study finds a strong positive correlation between a city's shoe size averages and reading ability in children. Which choice best describes a limitation of concluding that a city's shoe size averages directly causes reading ability in children?

The correlation must be a coincidence and should be ignored entirely.
✓ Correlation alone does not establish causation; a third factor could explain why both increase with a child's age.
A strong correlation is sufficient by itself to prove that a city's shoe size averages causes reading ability in children.
The study's sample size is automatically too small to be meaningful.

Correlation does not by itself establish causation; a confounding variable could explain the relationship (here, that both increase with a child's age), which is why the study alone can't prove direct causation.

Sample question 3 · medium

A study finds a strong positive correlation between a school's music program funding and its students' math scores. Which choice best describes a limitation of concluding that a school's music program funding directly causes its students' math scores?

The correlation must be a coincidence and should be ignored entirely.
✓ Correlation alone does not establish causation; a third factor could explain why overall school funding could independently affect both.
A strong correlation is sufficient by itself to prove that a school's music program funding causes its students' math scores.
The study's sample size is automatically too small to be meaningful.

Correlation does not by itself establish causation; a confounding variable could explain the relationship (here, that overall school funding could independently affect both), which is why the study alone can't prove direct causation.

Sample question 4 · medium

A study finds a strong positive correlation between ice cream sales and drowning incidents. Which choice best describes a limitation of concluding that ice cream sales directly causes drowning incidents?

The study's sample size is automatically too small to be meaningful.
A strong correlation is sufficient by itself to prove that ice cream sales causes drowning incidents.
✓ Correlation alone does not establish causation; a third factor could explain why both rise in the summer heat.
The correlation must be a coincidence and should be ignored entirely.

Correlation does not by itself establish causation; a confounding variable could explain the relationship (here, that both rise in the summer heat), which is why the study alone can't prove direct causation.

Sample question 5 · medium

A study finds a strong positive correlation between a town's number of libraries and its residents' average income. Which choice best describes a limitation of concluding that a town's number of libraries directly causes its residents' average income?

The correlation must be a coincidence and should be ignored entirely.
The study's sample size is automatically too small to be meaningful.
✓ Correlation alone does not establish causation; a third factor could explain why wealthier towns can afford to fund both.
A strong correlation is sufficient by itself to prove that a town's number of libraries causes its residents' average income.

Correlation does not by itself establish causation; a confounding variable could explain the relationship (here, that wealthier towns can afford to fund both), which is why the study alone can't prove direct causation.

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