Sample interview questions: Have you conducted any research on the impact of guessing on test scores and how to account for it in scoring procedures?
Sample answer:
Impact of Guessing on Test Scores:
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Random Guessing: When test-takers lack knowledge or understanding, they may resort to random guessing. This can lead to inflated test scores, as even random selections have a chance of being correct.
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Strategic Guessing: In some cases, test-takers may use strategic guessing techniques to improve their scores. This can involve eliminating obviously incorrect answers or making educated guesses based on prior knowledge and test-taking experience. While strategic guessing can be advantageous, it can also lead to incorrect answers if the test-taker’s assumptions are flawed.
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Item Difficulty: The difficulty of test items can influence the impact of guessing. Easier items are more likely to be answered correctly through random or strategic guessing, while more difficult items are less likely to be answered correctly by chance alone.
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Test Format: The format of the test can also affect the impact of guessing. Multiple-choice tests typically have a higher probability of correct answers through guessing compared to essay or short-answer tests, where knowledge and understanding are more critical.
Accounting for Guessing in Scoring Procedures:
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Correction for Guessing: One common method for accounting for guessing is the correction for guessing formula. This formula adjusts test scores to remove the contribution of random guessing. It involves subtracting a fraction of the number of incorrect answers from the total score.
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