In a negatively skewed distribution, where is the tail and where is the bulk of data?

• A. Bulk of values are on the low end with a tail to the right
• B. Uniform distribution
• C. Bulk of values are on the high end with a tail to the left
• D. Symmetrical distribution

Answer: (C)

Negatively skewed distributions pull the tail toward the lower values, while the bulk of observations cluster at higher values. In this shape, most data sit on the high end, and a few unusually low values extend the left tail. That’s why the description with most values high and a tail to the left is the best fit. For intuition, imagine test scores where most students score near the top, but a few score very low, pulling the left tail longer. The other shapes describe different patterns: a uniform distribution has no single bulk or tail pattern, and a symmetrical distribution has tails that are equal on both sides.