Skip to content
VirtusAcademy

Pictograms

FoundationHigherAQAEdexcel

Master Pictograms for GCSE Statistics with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA and Edexcel. Pictograms use a symbol to represent a set number of items, explained in a key.

Free downloads

These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA and Edexcel specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.

Foundation

WorksheetFoundation · PDFMark SchemeFoundation · PDF

Higher

WorksheetHigher · PDFMark SchemeHigher · PDF

Topic overview

A pictogram uses a symbol to represent a number of items. It is simple to read but must always include a key.

The key states what one symbol represents. Part-symbols are used for values that are not whole multiples — half a symbol represents half the key value, and a quarter represents a quarter.

The main criticism of pictograms is that part-symbols are difficult to read accurately. A symbol showing three-fifths is almost impossible to distinguish from one showing two-thirds, so precise values cannot be recovered. Without a key the pictogram is meaningless, and a missing key is the most common criticism asked for in exams.

Revision notes

Reading a pictogram

The key states how many items one symbol represents.

Multiply the number of symbols by the key value. For part-symbols, work out the fraction shown and multiply by the key value, then add.

Drawing a pictogram

Choose a key value that makes the frequencies easy to represent, ideally a factor of most of them.

Draw symbols of equal size, aligned so rows can be compared. Always include the key — without it the diagram cannot be interpreted.

Advantages and criticisms

Advantage: simple, visually appealing and easy to understand at a glance.

Criticisms: part-symbols are difficult to read accurately, precise values cannot be recovered, and it is unsuitable for large or awkward numbers.

Key points

  • A pictogram uses symbols to represent items.
  • A key states what one symbol represents.
  • Part-symbols show values between multiples.
  • Multiply symbols by the key value to read it.
  • Part-symbols are hard to read accurately.
  • A missing key makes a pictogram meaningless.

Worked examples

Example 1

A pictogram key shows one symbol represents 8 items. A row has 3 full symbols and a half symbol. Work out the frequency. [3 marks]

Working

\(3 \times 8 = 24\)multiply the full symbols by the key value
\(\frac{1}{2} \times 8 = 4\)work out the value of the half symbol
\(24 + 4 = 28\)add the two parts together

Example 2

Give one criticism of using a pictogram to represent data. [1 mark]

Working

Part-symbols are difficult to read accurately, so precise values cannot be recoveredgive the criticism

Example 3

Explain why a pictogram must have a key. [2 marks]

Working

The key states how many items each symbol representsstate its purpose
Without it the number of symbols cannot be converted into a frequency, so the diagram cannot be interpretedexplain the consequence

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting the key when drawing.

    Without a key the pictogram cannot be interpreted at all.

  • Counting symbols instead of multiplying.

    Each symbol represents the key value, not one item.

  • Drawing symbols of different sizes.

    They must be equal so rows can be compared fairly.

  • Ignoring part-symbols in a calculation.

    Work out the fraction of the key value and add it.

Exam tips

  • Always include and use the key.
  • Work out full symbols and part-symbols separately.
  • Name inaccurate part-symbols as the standard criticism.
  • Draw symbols the same size and aligned.

Key terms

Pictogram
A diagram using symbols to represent frequencies.
Key
A statement of how many items each symbol represents.
Part-symbol
A fraction of a symbol representing part of the key value.
Frequency
The number of items in a category.

Related topics

Written and reviewed against the current AQA and Edexcel specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.