A school is implementing an SAT preparation program. To study the program’s effectiveness, the school looks at participants’ SAT scores before starting the program and after completing the program. The results are shown in the table.

Question

Before
A: 1060
B: 980
C: 1140
D: 1040
E: 1000
F: 960
G: 1200

After
A: 1040
B: 1020
C: 1180
D: 1040
E: 980
F: 1020
G: 1240

Difference
A: 20
B: -40
C: -40
D: 0
E: 20
F: -60
G: -40

How can the values in the Difference row of the table be interpreted?

A) A positive difference means that the student’s score increased after the program, and a negative difference means that the student’s score decreased after the program.
B) A positive difference means that the student’s score decreased after the program, and a negative difference means that the student’s score increased after the program.
C) A positive difference means that the program was effective, and any negative differences can be ignored.
D) A negative difference means that the program was effective, and any positive differences can be ignored.

Answer 1

The correct interpretation of the values in the Difference row is:

A) A positive difference means that the student’s score increased after the program, and a negative difference means that the student’s score decreased after the program.

Here's how to understand it:

• If the difference is positive (e.g., A: 20, E: 20), it indicates that the student's SAT score increased after completing the preparation program.
• If the difference is negative (e.g., B: -40, C: -40, F: -60, G: -40), it indicates that the student's SAT score decreased after completing the program.
• A difference of zero (e.g., D: 0) indicates no change in the student's score after the program.

Thus, option A accurately describes the relationship between the differences and the SAT score changes.