Categorizing Question Types
Learn
Understanding the different types of questions you encounter is essential for effective error tracking. When you categorize questions, you can identify which types give you the most trouble and focus your study time more efficiently.
Common Question Type Categories
Questions on standardized tests generally fall into these categories:
- Computational: Questions that require you to calculate a numerical answer (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Conceptual: Questions that test your understanding of why something works, not just how
- Word Problems: Questions that present a real-world scenario you must translate into math
- Data Interpretation: Questions based on charts, graphs, or tables
- Multi-Step: Questions requiring two or more operations to solve
- Comparison: Questions asking you to determine which value is greater, or to find relationships
Why Categorization Matters
By labeling each question in your error log with its type, you can:
- See patterns in what trips you up most often
- Create targeted practice sessions
- Track improvement in specific areas over time
- Develop strategies tailored to each question type
Examples
Let's practice identifying question types with these sample problems:
Example 1
"What is 24 x 15?"
Type: Computational - This is a straightforward multiplication problem.
Example 2
"Maria has 48 stickers. She wants to share them equally among 6 friends. How many stickers will each friend receive?"
Type: Word Problem - You need to translate the scenario into a division operation.
Example 3
"The bar graph shows the number of books read by five students. Which student read twice as many books as Alex?"
Type: Data Interpretation - You must read values from a graph and compare them.
Example 4
"If a rectangle has a perimeter of 30 cm and its length is 9 cm, what is its area?"
Type: Multi-Step - First find the width using perimeter, then calculate area.
Practice
Identify the question type for each problem below. Write your answer, then check your reasoning.
1. What is 156 divided by 12?
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Computational - Direct division calculation required.
2. A store sells apples for $0.75 each. If Tom buys 8 apples and pays with a $10 bill, how much change will he receive?
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Multi-Step Word Problem - Requires multiplication ($0.75 x 8) then subtraction from $10.
3. According to the pie chart, which category represents exactly one-fourth of the total?
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Data Interpretation - Reading and interpreting a pie chart.
4. Why does multiplying a number by 10 add a zero to the end of the number?
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Conceptual - Tests understanding of place value, not calculation.
5. Which is greater: 3/4 or 5/8?
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Comparison - Requires comparing two fractional values.
6. The table shows temperatures for five days. What was the average temperature?
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Data Interpretation + Multi-Step - Read table values, then calculate the average.
7. Simplify: 4 + 3 x 5 - 2
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Computational - Order of operations calculation.
8. A train travels 240 miles in 4 hours. At this rate, how far will it travel in 7 hours?
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Multi-Step Word Problem - Find rate first (240/4), then multiply by 7.
9. Explain why any number divided by itself equals 1 (except zero).
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Conceptual - Tests understanding of division properties.
10. The line graph shows sales over 6 months. During which month did sales increase the most compared to the previous month?
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Data Interpretation + Comparison - Analyze changes between data points on a graph.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to confirm you understand question type categorization:
- Name three different question type categories covered in this lesson.
- Why is it helpful to categorize questions in your error log?
- What makes a "multi-step" problem different from a basic "computational" problem?
- Can a single question belong to more than one category? Give an example.
Next Steps
- Go back to recent practice problems and label each with its question type
- Add a "Question Type" column to your error log
- Notice which types appear most frequently in your errors
- Continue to the next lesson: Timed Practice Drills