Calculation of the percentage score obtained by the test-taker for a question
For each answer option in a multiple-choice question, a percentage score can be assigned, ranging from -100% to 100%. To calculate the responder's question score, the percentage scores of all the selected options are summed up. There are three exceptions to this scoring mechanism.
If the sum exceeds 100%, it is set to 100%.
Conversely, if the sum falls below -100%, it is set to -100%
In the case where a threshold score is configured and the sum of the selected options is below the designated threshold value, the responder's score is set to 0%.
The scoring mechanism, coupled with the exception rules, ensures that the responder is awarded a score within the range of -100% to 100%, depending on their selection of answer options.
The responder is limited to selecting only one option from the given choices. The option labeled as "Yellow" represents the fully correct answer, while the option labeled as "Green" represents the partially correct answer. All other options are incorrect.
Assigning negative scores to answer choices
Assigning negative scores to answer choices allows you to penalize the selection of some options. If a selected answer choice has a negative percentage score, it will
affect the overall percentage score that the test-taker receives for
that question.
Suppose the responder selects 2 options with scores of 50% and -25%. In that case, the test-taker's score for the question will be the sum of these percentages, which equals 25% (50% - 25%).
Calculation of points obtained by the test-taker for a question
After calculating the percentage score obtained, if the percentage score is above 0%, it is then multiplied by the question's point value. Conversely, if the percentage score is below 0%, it is multiplied by the question's negative multiplier.
Examples
If the test-taker's percentage score is 100% and the question is worth 1 point, the test-taker is awarded 1 point(100% x 1) for that question.
If the test-taker's percentage score is 50% and the question is worth 1 point, the test-taker is awarded 0.5 point(50% x 1) for that question.
If the test-taker's percentage score is 25% and the question is worth 5 points, the test-taker is awarded 1.25 point (25% x 5) for that question.
If the test-taker's percentage score is 0% and the question is worth 2 points, the test-taker is awarded 0 point(0% x 2) for that question.
If the test-taker's percentage score is -100% the question carries a negative multiplier of 1, the test-taker will be given -1 point(-100% x 1) for that question.
If the test-taker's percentage score is -50% the question carries a negative multiplier of 4, the test-taker will be given -2 point(-50% x 4) for that question.
Establishing the point value and negative multiplier for a question
To set the point value and negative multiplier for a question, navigate to the Scoring tab of the question editor.
By default, a question's point value is set to 1, and its negative multiplier is set to 0. This indicates that a test-taker can earn a minimum of 0 points and a maximum of 1 point for answering the question, and negative points are not possible.
If a point value of 5 and a negative multiplier of 1 is assigned to a question, the responder can score between -1 and 5 points. A percentage score of 100% awards the responder 5 points, while a score of -100% results in -1 point.
Customizing the question's point values within a test
The point value and negative multiplier serve as the initial values when a question is added to a test. However, these values can be customized within the test without affecting the default point value of the question.
Previewing how the scoring functions
Turn on the Preview switch located in the upper-right corner of the Question Editor. The question will appear at the bottom of the page, where you can make any desired selections.
After selecting your answers, click on the blue scoring icon located in the lower-right corner of the page to calculate your score.
If the percentage score obtained for a question is 10% and the point value assigned to the question is 1, then the responder is granted 0.1 point.
Author
Mustafa Ekim
Mustafa Ekim, founder of TestInvite and QuizCV, brings nearly a decade of expertise in building online assessment platforms for custom, secure tests.
