DA0-002 Data Analysis Practice Question
A data analyst is working with a dataset that contains a column for 'customer satisfaction rating' on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is very dissatisfied and 5 is very satisfied. The analyst wants to summarize the central tendency of this data. Which measure of central tendency is most appropriate for this ordinal data?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that the mean is always the best measure of central tendency, but for ordinal data, the median is more appropriate due to unequal intervals.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Median
For ordinal data such as satisfaction ratings, the median is the most appropriate measure of central tendency because it does not assume equal intervals between categories. It identifies the middle value when the data is ordered, providing a robust summary that is not influenced by extreme ratings. The mean assumes equal intervals, and the mode may not represent the center, while the range measures spread.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Range
Why it's wrong here
The range is a measure of dispersion, not central tendency. It indicates the spread between the highest and lowest values but does not summarize where the center of the data lies. For ordinal data, the range can be informative about variability, but it does not answer the question about central tendency. Thus, it is not appropriate here.
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Mode
Why it's wrong here
The mode identifies the most frequent value and is useful for categorical data, but it does not necessarily represent the center of an ordinal distribution. While it can be used for ordinal data, it may not reflect the central tendency if the distribution is not unimodal or if the most common rating is at an extreme. The median is generally preferred for ordinal data.
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Mean
Why it's wrong here
The mean is suitable for interval or ratio data, where the differences between values are meaningful. For ordinal data like satisfaction ratings, the intervals between 1 and 2 or 4 and 5 may not be equal. Using the mean assumes equal spacing, which can be misleading. Therefore, the mean is not the best choice for summarizing central tendency of ordinal data.
- ✓
Median
Why this is correct
The median is the middle value when data is ordered, making it appropriate for ordinal data because it does not assume equal intervals. For satisfaction ratings, the median represents the central rating without implying that the difference between ratings is consistent. It is robust to outliers and skewed distributions, providing a more accurate summary of the typical response.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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