Seek whence: Answer sequences and their consequences in key-balanced multiple-choice tests

Maya Bar-Hillel, Yigal Attali

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The producers of the SAT balance answer keys rather than randomizing them. Whereas randomization yields keys that are balanced only on average, balancing assures this in every subtest: Balancing is a well-kept trade secret, and there is no evidence of awareness that it is exploitable. However, balancing leaves identifiable traces on answer keys. We present the evidence for key balancing, its signatures, and the ways in which testwise examinees can exploit it. Exploitation can add as much as 16 points to one's SAT score.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)299-303
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Statistician
Volume56
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2002

Keywords

  • Randomization
  • SAT
  • Testwiseness

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Seek whence: Answer sequences and their consequences in key-balanced multiple-choice tests'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this