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On The Answer-Arrangement Bias Of Professional Certification Examinations In Accounting, Marshall A. Geiger, Mark M. Higgins

Accounting Faculty Publications

The test construction literature has emphasized the randomization of answers within multiple-choice items as a way to eliminate test construction bias. This study examines the answer placement bias of the multiple-choice portion of the 1987 - 1992 CIA, CMA, and CPA exams. The results indicate a consistent bias toward the "A" position in the CIA exam and against the "A" and "E" positions on the CMA exam. Also, all three exams were found to have significantly fewer correct answer runs (e.g., four "A's" in a row) than would be expected from the random placement of answers. A discussion of test …