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Innocuous Exam Features? The Impact of Answer Placement on High-Stakes Test Performance and College Admissions

Author

Listed:
  • Franco, Catalina

    (Centre for Applied Research, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration)

  • Povea, Erika

    (Dept. of Economics, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration)

Abstract

We exploit randomness in college entrance exams in Colombia to study how the placement of answers impacts multiple-choice test results and access to college. Using administrative data, we find that: first, applicants are 5% less likely to answer correctly when the correct answer is the last in the choice set (option D). And, second, that one SD higher share of correct answers in D in the math section reduces applicants’ overall performance and their preferred major admission rate by 3%. Considering lifelong college access implications, we show how seemingly innocuous exam features disproportionately affect unlucky test takers.

Suggested Citation

  • Franco, Catalina & Povea, Erika, 2024. "Innocuous Exam Features? The Impact of Answer Placement on High-Stakes Test Performance and College Admissions," Discussion Paper Series in Economics 4/2024, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:nhheco:2024_004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Multiple-choice tests; answer placement; performance; admissions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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