Biostatistics: box-and-whisker plot: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Biostatistics: box-and-whisker plot

Sample item

A graph summarises a continuous variable using a box from the 25th to the 75th percentile with a line at the median, whiskers to the extremes, and individual dots for outlying values. Which graph is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Box-and-whisker plot

A box-and-whisker plot shows the median, the interquartile range and the spread of the data with outliers marked separately. A histogram shows the frequency distribution of a continuous variable. A scatter diagram shows two variables together, and an ogive plots cumulative frequency.

Option by option

  • A. Box-and-whisker plot (correct)

    Correct. A box from the quartiles with median line and whiskers is a box-and-whisker plot.

  • B. Scatter diagram

    A scatter diagram plots pairs of values for two variables.

  • C. Histogram

    A histogram uses adjoining bars for class frequencies and does not mark quartiles.

  • D. Ogive

    An ogive is a cumulative frequency curve.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Box-and-whisker plot. A box-and-whisker plot shows the median, the interquartile range and the spread of the data with outliers marked separately.

Why is "Scatter diagram" not the answer?

A scatter diagram plots pairs of values for two variables.

Why is "Histogram" not the answer?

A histogram uses adjoining bars for class frequencies and does not mark quartiles.

Why is "Ogive" not the answer?

An ogive is a cumulative frequency curve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Biostatistics: box-and-whisker plot in PSM. A histogram shows the frequency distribution of a continuous variable. A scatter diagram shows two variables together, and an ogive plots cumulative frequency.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Biostatistics: box-and-whisker plot?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.