Class 8 Data Handling MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Class 8 Data Handling is one of the most important chapters in the CBSE Class 8 Maths syllabus. This chapter teaches students how to collect, organise, and represent data using tally marks, frequency tables, bar graphs, double bar graphs, histograms, and pictographs. It also explains how to calculate mean, median, and mode – the three key measures of central tendency – and introduces the basics of probability with simple examples like tossing a coin or rolling a die.

Learning data handling helps students understand real-life situations such as analysing cricket scores, rainfall data, and class marks. By practicing MCQs, extra questions, and NCERT exercise solutions for Chapter 5 Data Handling, students can build a strong foundation and score well in exams. We have also provided free PDF notes, worksheets, and solved examples for quick revision and exam preparation.

Class 8 Data Handling MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Q1. Which of the following is used to record data quickly while counting objects?
(a) Frequency table
(b) Tally marks
(c) Histogram
(d) Bar graph
Answer: (b) Tally marks
Explanation:Tally marks are short vertical lines used to record frequency while counting.
Why Others Are Incorrect:

• Frequency table: Shows the final organized data, not real-time counting.
• Histogram / Bar graph: Used to represent data graphically, not to record it.

Q2. The difference between the highest and lowest observations in a data set is called:
(a) Mean
(b) Mode
(c) Range
(d) Median
Answer: (c) Range
Explanation:Range = Highest observation – Lowest observation.
Other Options: Mean is the average, mode is most frequent, median is middle value.

Bar Graph & Double Bar Graph MCQs for Class 8

Q3. Which of the following statements about a bar graph is TRUE?
(a) Bars can be of different widths
(b) Bars must be of equal width and equal spacing
(c) Bars can overlap
(d) Bars must always be vertical
Answer: (b) Bars must be of equal width and equal spacing
Explanation: This ensures a fair visual comparison of data.
Why Others Are Incorrect:

• (a) Different widths distort data.
• (c) Bars must not overlap.
• (d) Bars can be horizontal or vertical.

Q4. Double bar graphs are used when:
(a) Only one type of data is shown
(b) We compare two related sets of data
(c) We need to draw a histogram
(d) We have only frequency table
Answer: (b) We compare two related sets of data
Explanation: Double bar graphs show two sets of data side by side for comparison (e.g., marks of boys and girls in a class).

Histogram MCQs for Class 8

Q5. Which of the following is TRUE about a histogram?
(a) It is used for continuous (grouped) data
(b) It always has gaps between bars
(c) It is used only for discrete data
(d) It cannot represent class intervals
Answer: (a) It is used for continuous (grouped) data
Explanation: In a histogram, bars are drawn without gaps because class intervals are continuous.
Why Others Are Incorrect:

• (b) Gaps are present only in bar graphs, not histograms.
• (c) Histograms are not for discrete data.
• (d) They are specifically for class intervals.

Mean, Median, and Mode MCQs for Class 8

Q6. The mean of 5 observations is 12. The sum of the observations is:
(a) 12
(b) 60
(c) 5
(d) 17
Answer: (b) 60
Explanation: Mean = Sum ÷ Number of observations → Sum = Mean × Number = 12 × 5 = 60.

Q7. If the marks of 7 students are 15, 20, 10, 15, 25, 15, 30, the mode is:
(a) 15
(b) 20
(c) 30
(d) 10
Answer: (a) 15
Explanation:Mode is the most frequent value; here 15 occurs 3 times, more than any other number.

Q8. The median of the data 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 is:
(a) 7
(b) 10
(c) 12
(d) 5
Answer: (b) 10
Explanation: Median is the middle value when data is arranged in ascending order. Here, 10 is the middle value.

Probability MCQs for Class 8

Q9. The probability of getting a head when a coin is tossed once is:
(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 1/2
(d) 2
Answer: (c) 1/2
Explanation: Probability = Favourable outcomes / Total outcomes = 1 (head) ÷ 2 (head or tail) = 1/2.

Q10. A die is thrown once. The probability of getting a number greater than 4 is:
(a) 1/6
(b) 1/2
(c) 2/6
(d) 3/6
Answer: (c) 2/6
Explanation: Favourable outcomes are 5 and 6 → 2 outcomes out of 6 → Probability = 2/6 = 1/3.

Q11. The marks of 5 students are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. The range is:
(a) 60
(b) 20
(c) 50
(d) 40
Answer: (c) 40
Explanation: Range = Highest – Lowest = 60 – 20 = 40.

Q12. In a survey, 40 students like cricket, 30 like football, 20 like hockey. The total number of students surveyed is:
(a) 70
(b) 80
(c) 90
(d) 100
Answer: (c) 90
Explanation: Total = 40 + 30 + 20 = 90.

Extra Data Handling MCQs for Class 8

Q13. In a bar graph, the length of the bar represents:
(a) The name of the data
(b) The value or frequency of data
(c) The width of data
(d) The type of data
Answer: (b) The value or frequency of data
Explanation: The longer the bar, the higher the value or frequency.
Why Others Are Incorrect:

• (a) Name of data is shown on x-axis.
• (c) Width of bar must be equal for all bars.
• (d) Type of data is not represented by length.

Q14. The mean of 6, 8, 10, 12 is:
(a) 10
(b) 8
(c) 9
(d) 11
Answer: (a) 10
Explanation: Mean = (6 + 8 + 10 + 12) ÷ 4 = 36 ÷ 4 = 10.
Why Others Are Incorrect: Other options are either below or above the correct average.

Q15. Which of these events is impossible?
(a) Getting a number less than 7 on a die
(b) Getting a head on a tossed coin
(c) Getting 8 on a die
(d) Getting an even number on a die
Answer: (c) Getting 8 on a die
Explanation: A die has faces numbered 1 to 6, so 8 can never appear. Probability of an impossible event is 0.

Q16. A histogram is drawn for marks scored by students in a test. The highest bar shows 25 students. This means:
(a) 25 marks were scored by all students
(b) 25 students scored within that class interval
(c) 25 is the average of all marks
(d) 25 students scored 100% marks
Answer: (b) 25 students scored within that class interval
Explanation: Each bar shows the number of students in that class interval (frequency).

Q17. If the probability of winning a game is 0.4, then probability of losing the game is:
(a) 0.6
(b) 0.5
(c) 0.4
(d) 1.4
Answer: (a) 0.6
Explanation: Probability of all outcomes = 1 → Losing probability = 1 – 0.4 = 0.6.
Why Others Are Incorrect:

• (b) 0.5 would mean equal chances.
• (c) 0.4 is the probability of winning, not losing.
• (d) Probabilities cannot be more than 1.