Statistics in the life of a student who wants to pass international exams

Statistics is a fundamental branch of mathematics involving the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. It plays a very important role in international exams such as the SATs, A Levels and International Baccalaureate, exams that test not only theoretical knowledge but also the ability to apply concepts in a practical way. Unfortunately, these statistical notions are not always covered by the Romanian educational curriculum, which leads students aspiring to study at universities abroad to turn to private tutoring.

On the SAT test, one of the most important assessments for university admissions in the United States and Europe, statistics questions focus on the ability to know and profile statistical data and information. Among the concepts you must master are median, arithmetic mean, mode, modulus, frequency distribution, and probability. The median is the value in the middle of an ordered list, and the arithmetic mean is calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the total number of values. The mode, on the other hand, is that value that occurs most frequently in a data set.

Frequency distribution is used in organizing date in a chart or graph. You will also encounter questions about interpreting graphs, charts and percentages, as well as probability problems related to rolling dice, for example, or drawing cards from a deck.

Ph.D. Georgiana Popovici, a mathematics and statistics teacher with more than 20 years’ experience and founder of a learning center dedicated to students preparing for international exams, explains why statistics is such an important branch for success in these exams. “Statistics is not just a part of mathematics, but a way in which we learn to read and interpret the world around us”, says Ph.D. Popovici. “Students need to be able to analyze data, understand distributions, averages, means, modes, and probabilities – these are all concepts that come up frequently in everyday life, not just on the exam”.

Ph.D. Popovici confides that preparing for an exam such as the SAT, requires more than just memorizing formulas. “It’s more about logical thinking than actual calculations. Students who learn to think critically and make connections between data are the ones who will be successful. Statistics helps them see the big picture and understand how to extract information from the data in front of them”.

Georgiana Popovici is the founder of the Center of Excellence in Education – Creative Learning Hub, a training environment that offers special preparation for these international exams. Students not only learn theoretical concepts, but are also guided to apply these concepts in practical and complex problems, similar to those encountered in exams.

“Preparing for international exams is a different process from what students are used to in Romania. It is about adapting to a different style of testing, more applied and dynamic. In our center, we focus on developing these skills and building a solid foundation of knowledge that allows students to tackle any type of problem with confidence”, adds Ph.D. Popovici.

With the help of an experienced teacher and dedicated preparation, students can overcome the difficulties encountered in these assessments and access prestigious educational opportunities. Ph.D. Georgiana Popovici believes that statistics is not just a set of formulas, but an understanding and interpretation of the world. And once students realize this, math becomes much more interesting and accessible.