# Intro statistics gets far more good reviews than bad

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/intro-statistics-gets-far-more-good-reviews-than-bad/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from August 13 to 18, 2026. 28.1% of Americans found their introductory statistics course valuable, while 9.7% say it wasn't worth their time. Another 44.5% never took one.

Extremely valuable accounts for 11.1% and somewhat valuable for 17.0%, while 17.7% are neutral. Just 3.2% call it a waste of time.

## Topline

How valuable was your introductory statistics course?

Intro statistics gets far more good reviews than bad.

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.

- Did not take this course: 44.5%
- Neutral: 17.7%
- Somewhat valuable: 17.0%
- Extremely valuable: 11.1%
- Not valuable: 6.5%
- Waste of my time: 3.2%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-08-13 → 2026-08-18
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.2%
- Module: Verasight JSM and Quirk's Omnibus Survey
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-quirks-2026#q-20](https://reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-quirks-2026#q-20)

## Citation

JSM and Quirk's Omnibus Survey, fielded August 13-18, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-quirks-2026#q-20](https://reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-quirks-2026#q-20)