Evaluating Statistical and Numerical Claims

LNAT passages frequently include statistical and numerical evidence — percentages, averages, survey results, comparisons, and trends. While the LNAT is not a maths test, it does test your ability to evaluate whether numerical claims genuinely support the conclusions drawn from them. Misleading use of statistics is one of the most common reasoning errors in argumentative writing.

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Why Statistics Can Be Misleading

Statistics are powerful because they appear objective and precise. But the same data can be presented in ways that support very different conclusions. On the LNAT, you need to ask not just "What does this statistic say?" but "Does this statistic actually support the argument?"

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Key Concepts

1. Percentages vs Absolute Numbers

A percentage can be impressive or alarming while the absolute number is trivial — and vice versa.

"The number of shark attacks in British waters has increased by 200% in the past decade."

This sounds terrifying. But if the number went from 1 to 3, the absolute increase is negligible. A 200% increase of a tiny number is still a tiny number.