Laboratory Professionals Member Community

@ASCP BOC

With this in mind (from here):

When you answer an examination question correctly, the next question has a slightly higher level of difficulty. The difficulty level of the questions presented continues to increase until you answer a question incorrectly. Then, a slightly easier question is presented. You cannot skip questions because the CAT algorithm measures your ability level each time you answer a question.  

Consider a scenario where an examinee intentionally chooses an incorrect answer for every question to force the CAT's algorithm to present a slightly easier question. After all questions were presented, the examinee returns to question #1 and proceeds to re-choose their best answer for all questions

Is this examination strategy possible? If so, does this strategy provide an unfair advantage in achieving a passing score?

Short answer:  No.  CAT exam questions are weighted with a difficulty level based on statistics reviewed by the exam committee and the Board of Certification staff.  Successful passing is not answering a certain number of questions correctly but the overall weight of all the questions answered correctly.  If you intentionally answer incorrectly to get easy questions then you will not achieve the overall minimum passing score based on the weight of all the questions.  A better strategy is to use the tools provided by ASCP, particularly the Content Outline, to focus your study. 

Serving on a Board of Certification Exam Committee has been the most rewarding professional experience in my 43 year career as an MLS. I encourage anyone who has a passion for excellence in certification of laboratory professionals to consider volunteering.  It is hard work but truly makes a difference to patient care worldwide.  

@ASCP BOC

With this in mind (from here):

When you answer an examination question correctly, the next question has a slightly higher level of difficulty. The difficulty level of the questions presented continues to increase until you answer a question incorrectly. Then, a slightly easier question is presented. You cannot skip questions because the CAT algorithm measures your ability level each time you answer a question.  

Consider a scenario where an examinee intentionally chooses an incorrect answer for every question to force the CAT's algorithm to present a slightly easier question. After all questions were presented, the examinee returns to question #1 and proceeds to re-choose their best answer for all questions

Is this examination strategy possible? If so, does this strategy provide an unfair advantage in achieving a passing score?

This makes sense. Thank you for your response

Short answer:  No.  CAT exam questions are weighted with a difficulty level based on statistics reviewed by the exam committee and the Board of Certification staff.  Successful passing is not answering a certain number of questions correctly but the overall weight of all the questions answered correctly.  If you intentionally answer incorrectly to get easy questions then you will not achieve the overall minimum passing score based on the weight of all the questions.  A better strategy is to use the tools provided by ASCP, particularly the Content Outline, to focus your study. 

Serving on a Board of Certification Exam Committee has been the most rewarding professional experience in my 43 year career as an MLS. I encourage anyone who has a passion for excellence in certification of laboratory professionals to consider volunteering.  It is hard work but truly makes a difference to patient care worldwide.  

@ASCP BOC

With this in mind (from here):

When you answer an examination question correctly, the next question has a slightly higher level of difficulty. The difficulty level of the questions presented continues to increase until you answer a question incorrectly. Then, a slightly easier question is presented. You cannot skip questions because the CAT algorithm measures your ability level each time you answer a question.  

Consider a scenario where an examinee intentionally chooses an incorrect answer for every question to force the CAT's algorithm to present a slightly easier question. After all questions were presented, the examinee returns to question #1 and proceeds to re-choose their best answer for all questions

Is this examination strategy possible? If so, does this strategy provide an unfair advantage in achieving a passing score?

Hey,

Continuing the idea first posed to answer questions incorrectly to get easier questions,  the BOC site states the tester can mark/ label answers they are not sure about as questionable,  and if time left over can go back and reconsider those answers.  The only trick (if this would work) is to answer 100 questions twice in the 2 1/2 hour time limit.

Thoughts? 

This makes sense. Thank you for your response

Short answer:  No.  CAT exam questions are weighted with a difficulty level based on statistics reviewed by the exam committee and the Board of Certification staff.  Successful passing is not answering a certain number of questions correctly but the overall weight of all the questions answered correctly.  If you intentionally answer incorrectly to get easy questions then you will not achieve the overall minimum passing score based on the weight of all the questions.  A better strategy is to use the tools provided by ASCP, particularly the Content Outline, to focus your study. 

Serving on a Board of Certification Exam Committee has been the most rewarding professional experience in my 43 year career as an MLS. I encourage anyone who has a passion for excellence in certification of laboratory professionals to consider volunteering.  It is hard work but truly makes a difference to patient care worldwide.  

@ASCP BOC

With this in mind (from here):

When you answer an examination question correctly, the next question has a slightly higher level of difficulty. The difficulty level of the questions presented continues to increase until you answer a question incorrectly. Then, a slightly easier question is presented. You cannot skip questions because the CAT algorithm measures your ability level each time you answer a question.  

Consider a scenario where an examinee intentionally chooses an incorrect answer for every question to force the CAT's algorithm to present a slightly easier question. After all questions were presented, the examinee returns to question #1 and proceeds to re-choose their best answer for all questions

Is this examination strategy possible? If so, does this strategy provide an unfair advantage in achieving a passing score?