Tally Charts and Frequency Tables
Practise Tally Charts and Frequency Tables for GCSE Statistics with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA and Edexcel. Tally charts and frequency tables record how often each value or group occurs in a data set.
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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.
Topic overview
A tally chart records data as it is collected, and a frequency table summarises how often each value occurs.
Tallies are recorded in groups of five, with the fifth stroke drawn diagonally across the previous four. This makes counting quick and reduces mistakes, because the total can be found in fives rather than one at a time.
The frequency column gives the count for each value or category. The total frequency should equal the number of items in the data set, and checking this catches recording errors. Frequency tables are the starting point for calculating averages and drawing most diagrams, so accuracy here affects everything downstream.
Revision notes
Recording tallies
Each observation is recorded as one stroke. Every fifth stroke is drawn diagonally across the previous four.
This groups the tallies in fives so the total can be counted quickly and with fewer errors than counting single strokes.
The frequency column
The frequency is the number of times each value or category occurs.
It is found by counting the tallies. The total frequency should equal the total number of items in the data set — checking this is a quick way to catch a recording error.
Why the table matters
Frequency tables are the starting point for calculating the mean, median and mode, and for drawing bar charts, pie charts and histograms.
An error in the table propagates into every calculation and diagram that follows, so the total should always be checked.
Key points
- Tallies are recorded in groups of five.
- The fifth stroke crosses the previous four.
- Grouping in fives makes counting quicker.
- Frequency is the number of times a value occurs.
- The total frequency equals the number of items.
- Check the total to catch recording errors.
Worked examples
Example 1
A tally chart shows 3 groups of five and 2 extra strokes. Work out the frequency. [2 marks]
Working
Example 2
Explain why tallies are grouped in fives. [2 marks]
Working
Example 3
A frequency table has frequencies 8, 12, 5 and 9. Work out the total frequency. [1 mark]
Working
Common mistakes
Drawing the fifth stroke alongside the others.
It must cross the previous four to form a group of five.
Not checking the total frequency.
It should equal the number of items collected.
Confusing tally with frequency.
The tally is the marks; the frequency is the count of them.
Miscounting groups of five.
Multiply the number of complete groups by five before adding extras.
Exam tips
- Multiply complete groups by five, then add extras.
- Always check the total frequency.
- Draw the fifth stroke diagonally across the others.
- Keep the tally and frequency columns distinct.
Key terms
- Tally chart
- A chart recording data as strokes in groups of five.
- Frequency
- The number of times a value occurs.
- Total frequency
- The sum of all frequencies, equal to the sample size.
- Frequency table
- A table summarising how often each value occurs.
Related topics
Written and reviewed against the current AQA and Edexcel specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.