$H = 2.517L + 22.84$ A group of biology students conducted an experiment to study the relationship between a person's femur length and the person's height. The given equation describes the relationship between the length $L$, in inches, of a student's femur and the student's estimated height $H$, in inches, for the students in the group. Which of the following is the best interpretation of 2.517 in this context?

The increase in a student's estimated height, in inches, for each increase of 1 inch in the student's femur length

The increase in a student's femur length, in inches, for each increase of 1 inch in the student's estimated height

The increase in a student's femur length, in inches, for each increase of 22.84 inches in the student's estimated height

The estimated height, in inches, of a student whose femur has a length of $L$ inches

For a study, a group of squirrels will be selected from a habitat consisting of 240 squirrels, and a group of groundhogs will be selected from a habitat consisting of 210 groundhogs. Some of the squirrels and groundhogs will be in a treatment group, and some of the squirrels and groundhogs will be in a control group. Which of the following is necessary for this study to attempt to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables?

The squirrels and the groundhogs are randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups.

The number of squirrels in the treatment group is equal to the number of groundhogs in the treatment group, and the number of squirrels in the control group is equal to the number of groundhogs in the control group.

The squirrels and the groundhogs are randomly selected from their respective habitats.

The average age of the squirrels in the treatment group is equal to the average age of the groundhogs in the treatment group, and the average age of the squirrels in the control group is equal to the average age of the groundhogs in the control group.

Math · Problem-Solving and Data Analysis

Evaluating Statistical Claims

Judge when study results support causation, correlation, or generalization.

What the SAT Tests

You'll see short descriptions of studies and need to decide what can and cannot be concluded. The Digital SAT tests whether you know the gap between correlation and causation and when a sample is representative.

Key Tips for Evaluating Statistical Claims

Only randomized experiments can support causal conclusions.
Only random samples justify generalization to the whole population.
Observational studies can show association but never prove cause and effect.

How to recognize Evaluating Statistical Claims questions

Look for Problem-Solving and Data Analysis signals: equations, graphs, tables, variables, units, or words that describe a relationship.
Before solving, decide whether the answer should be a value, expression, coordinate, graph feature, or interpretation.
The official College Board skill label is Evaluating statistical claims: Observational studies and experiments; match your practice misses to that label when reviewing.

Fast solving workflow

Translate the givens into an equation, graph, table, or labeled diagram before using answer choices.
Choose the fastest method: mental math for one-step work, paper algebra for clean symbolic steps, Desmos for intersections/tables/roots, and substitution for ordered answer choices.
Check the final answer against the question stem, especially units, signs, and whether it asks for x, y, a sum, a coefficient, or an interpretation.

Common traps

Using the wrong denominator in a percent, rate, or probability question.
Confusing correlation with causation in data claims.
Extrapolating outside the data range when the question does not justify it.

Sample Evaluating Statistical Claims Questions

These are real practice questions pulled from our Digital SAT bank. Try each one before reading the highlighted correct answer.

Question 1 · Easy
A biologist studying woodland in Oregon estimates that there are at least 40 and no more than 55 spruce trees per acre in a certain preserve. Which of the following best represents the biologist's estimate of the number of spruce trees, $x$ , that are in a 4-acre section of this preserve?
- A. $40 \leq x \leq 55$
- B. $160 \leq x \leq 220$ Correct
- C. $40 \leq x \leq 220$
- D. $160 \leq x \leq 55$
Question 2 · Medium
$H = 2.517 L + 22.84$
A group of biology students conducted an experiment to study the relationship between a person's femur length and the person's height. The given equation describes the relationship between the length $L$ , in inches, of a student's femur and the student's estimated height $H$ , in inches, for the students in the group. Which of the following is the best interpretation of 2.517 in this context?
- A. The increase in a student's estimated height, in inches, for each increase of 1 inch in the student's femur lengthCorrect
- B. The increase in a student's femur length, in inches, for each increase of 1 inch in the student's estimated height
- C. The increase in a student's femur length, in inches, for each increase of 22.84 inches in the student's estimated height
- D. The estimated height, in inches, of a student whose femur has a length of $L$ inches
Question 3 · Hard
For a study, a group of squirrels will be selected from a habitat consisting of 240 squirrels, and a group of groundhogs will be selected from a habitat consisting of 210 groundhogs. Some of the squirrels and groundhogs will be in a treatment group, and some of the squirrels and groundhogs will be in a control group. Which of the following is necessary for this study to attempt to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables?
- A. The number of squirrels in the treatment group is equal to the number of groundhogs in the treatment group, and the number of squirrels in the control group is equal to the number of groundhogs in the control group.
- B. The squirrels and the groundhogs are randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups.Correct
- C. The squirrels and the groundhogs are randomly selected from their respective habitats.
- D. The average age of the squirrels in the treatment group is equal to the average age of the groundhogs in the treatment group, and the average age of the squirrels in the control group is equal to the average age of the groundhogs in the control group.

Practice Evaluating Statistical Claims Questions

Drill evaluating statistical claims questions in the Digital SAT Math question bank, or take a full-length practice module to see how this skill appears under test conditions.

Practice block	What to do	Move on when
Warmup	Solve 10 untimed evaluating statistical claims questions and write the rule used for each.	You can explain 8 of 10 without reading the explanation.
Timed drill	Solve 20 filtered bank questions at real module pace.	Accuracy is at least 80% and misses are not repeating.
Transfer	Take a mixed timed module and mark each Problem-Solving and Data Analysis miss.	The skill still holds up when mixed with other question types.

FAQs

What is Evaluating Statistical Claims on the Digital SAT?

How hard are evaluating statistical claims questions?

Evaluating Statistical Claims questions appear at every difficulty level on the Digital SAT Math section. The hardest versions gate access to the top scaled scores in the hard Module 2.

How do I practice evaluating statistical claims?

Use the 1600.now question bank to filter for evaluating statistical claims questions, solve at least 20 in a row, and review every miss with the written explanation.

Related Math Skills

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