Abstract
If l alternative responses are provided for each of n equally‐weighted questions in a multiple‐choice examination, and the candidate correctly indicates t answers, the prior probability estimate of the number of answers actually known is given by (lt – n)/(l – 1), a result implicit in most assessment schemes. Considered as a problem in posterior probability, the value which maximizes the likelihood of indicating t correct answers is shown to be approximately one half greater than this expression, a typical value being The dependence of the ‘adjustment’ on l, n and t is so small that no amendment to marking schemes is proposed.
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