Which term is a method used to set the standard score for passing a test?

Which term is a method used to set the standard score for passing a test?

• A. Antitrust
• B. Appeal
• C. Angoff method
• D. Appraisals

Answer: (C)

Setting a passing score on a test often uses a standard-setting method, where experts determine what level of performance constitutes minimally competent. The Angoff method does this by having subject-matter experts estimate, for each item, the probability that a minimally competent candidate would answer it correctly. When these probabilities are combined across all items, they produce a recommended cut score that defines what it means to pass. This ties the passing threshold to the actual difficulty and content of the test, rather than relying on generic statistics alone. The other terms don’t describe how to establish a passing score: antitrust refers to competition law, an appeal is a process to challenge a decision, and appraisals are performance evaluations.

Setting a passing score on a test often uses a standard-setting method, where experts determine what level of performance constitutes minimally competent. The Angoff method does this by having subject-matter experts estimate, for each item, the probability that a minimally competent candidate would answer it correctly. When these probabilities are combined across all items, they produce a recommended cut score that defines what it means to pass. This ties the passing threshold to the actual difficulty and content of the test, rather than relying on generic statistics alone.

The other terms don’t describe how to establish a passing score: antitrust refers to competition law, an appeal is a process to challenge a decision, and appraisals are performance evaluations.