Can excessive guessing on a section invalidate a score?

[feartheturtle]

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So I took the PCAT for the first time this afternoon and did rather well (i.e. 90 composite). However, I was really pressed for time on the final math section and for like the last 10-15 or so questions I had to quickly pick an answer as I was literally under the 2 minute mark. So for most of the answers I picked "C" just for the sake of answering that question. So do you think this would fall under Pearson's rule that if "responses to test items show that an unusually large proportion of responses are all the same answer option (for example, an unreasonable preponderance of “A” choices)" then they may cancel the score? Am I worrying about nothing and just be happy that I got a good score? I really want my scores to stick.

 

[arri]

So I took the PCAT for the first time this afternoon and did rather well (i.e. 90 composite). However, I was really pressed for time on the final math section and for like the last 10-15 or so questions I had to quickly pick an answer as I was literally under the 2 minute mark. So for most of the answers I picked "C" just for the sake of answering that question. So do you think this would fall under Pearson's rule that if "responses to test items show that an unusually large proportion of responses are all the same answer option (for example, an unreasonable preponderance of "A" choices)" then they may cancel the score? Am I worrying about nothing and just be happy that I got a good score? I really want my scores to stick.

I get where you're coming from and I think I would have the same concerns. But I think they'll notice the timing and since you were clearly pressed for time you clicked away with any answer (which they will see when they are investigating the scores). I'd call them just to double check. But I think you should be fine. COngrats on the 90!!!

 

[pharmdx92]

You are worrying for nothing. I had a few friends frantically guess 10 or so questions and schools did not give them any troubled. 90 is a great score. Congratulation.

 

[feartheturtle]

Alright, sounds good then. Thanks for the replies.

 

[feartheturtle]

Alright, sounds good then. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Amicable Angora]

So I took the PCAT for the first time this afternoon and did rather well (i.e. 90 composite). However, I was really pressed for time on the final math section and for like the last 10-15 or so questions I had to quickly pick an answer as I was literally under the 2 minute mark. So for most of the answers I picked "C" just for the sake of answering that question. So do you think this would fall under Pearson's rule that if "responses to test items show that an unusually large proportion of responses are all the same answer option (for example, an unreasonable preponderance of “A” choices)" then they may cancel the score? Am I worrying about nothing and just be happy that I got a good score? I really want my scores to stick.

I get where you're coming from and I think I would have the same concerns. But I think they'll notice the timing and since you were clearly pressed for time you clicked away with any answer (which they will see when they are investigating the scores). I'd call them just to double check. But I think you should be fine. COngrats on the 90!!!

DO NOT CALL. Do not fix what is not broken. Let your score be (it should be permanent).