Scoring Services FAQ

Can students use something besides a Number 2 pencil to fill out their Answer Sheets?

No, scannable portions of student Answer Sheets must be completed with a Number 2 pencil only. Ink is not allowed.

The scanner is also highly sensitive to poor erasures. Students may lose points if they do not fully erase.

What information do my students need to fill out on their Answer Sheets?

All students must fill out the following information on their Answer Sheets:

  • 8 digit person number
  • Name
  • Version of the exam (if there is more than one version)

A student's Answer Sheet will be rejected and not scored if the above information is missing.

What do I need to bring when I submit my exam for scoring?

To have exams scored, you must submit:

  • A printed copy of the Scoring Services Confirmation email. The Scoring Services Request Form can be submitted online.
  • Student Answer Sheets
  • Key Sheet (1 for each exam or version of the exam)

Where can I get student Answer Sheets?

Answer Sheets (NCS P099B) can be purchased at the University Bookstore (Follett's) in the UB Commons or directly from www.Scantron.com.

How many questions can I have on my exam?

There is a limit of 200 questions with 5 options for each question.

How many different versions of the same exam can I have?

There is a limit of 4 versions of the same exam.

How do students indicate which version of the exam they have?

NCS Form P099B Green Answer Sheet
Students must indicate which version of the exam they have taken on Side 2 of the Answer Sheet in the area labeled GRADE OR EDUCATION. For example:

  • Version A > 1
  • Version B > 2
  • Version C > 3
  • Version D > 4

Scantron Form Red Answer Sheet
Students must indicate which version of the exam they have taken in the area labeled TEST FORM. For example:

  • Version 1 > A
  • Version 2 > B
  • Version 3 > C
  • Version 4 > D

Can I omit a question from being scored?

Yes. Leave the question blank on the Key Sheet if you want to omit an exam question from being scored.

Omitting a question reduces the total number of questions considered and calculates the percentages based on the actual number of expected responses.

Can I have multiple responses for questions on my exam?

It is important to indicate how multiple responses on the Key Sheet should be interpreted. Any number or all of the bubbles can be filled in for any question and can be interpreted in one of two ways: AND or OR.

Interpreting the key responses as AND means that all the responses for an item on the key sheet are expected if the question is to be scored as correct. For example, if responses A, B, AND E are bubbled in for question 12 on the Key Sheet, then a student must select A, B and E to have question 12 scored as correct.

Interpreting the key responses as OR means that a student can select any of the bubbled in responses to be correct. Using the example above, a student must select ONE of A, B, OR E to get credit for this question. If they select 2 or more of the responses, the question is scored as incorrect.

All questions on the exam must be interpreted the same way. You cannot mix AND and OR interpretations on the same exam.

What options do I have for the reports?

Item Analysis report is a fundamental tool for assessing the effectiveness, reliability, and validity of a particular test item or test. A report is generated for each version of the exam.

Score Distribution is a combined report and displays the numbers of students who achieved each score. It can be useful in determining grade cut-off points.

Histogram is a combined report and displays the number of students achieving each percentage at 10% intervals.

Class Response is a list by student ID which displays only the incorrect responses.

Class lists are available alphabetically and by person number.

What if I have more questions?

If you need help or additional information, please contact the TLC at 645-7700 or ubtlc@buffalo.edu.