Problem CR 1

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Problem CR 1

by aditiniyer » Wed Mar 15, 2017 6:48 am
After performing poorly on multiple tests and receiving a failing grade in a particular course, a student appealed the grade to a university's office of academic affairs. The student claimed that the test did not cover subject matter highlighted in the class lectures.Which of the following would be the most useful in determining the validity of the student's claim?

a) Comparing the student's test scores with those of other students in the class.
b)Comparing the material covered in the professor's lecture notes to the material covered on the test.
c)Comparing the student's individual answers to those of a student who received high grades on the tests.
d)Determining whether it is university policy to only test subject material highlighted in course lectures.
e)Comparing the student's class notes with the material covered on the test.

The OA is B but I am stuck at D and can't understand the explanation. Expert help please.

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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Mar 15, 2017 7:08 am
aditiniyer wrote:After performing poorly on multiple tests and receiving a failing grade in a particular course, a student appealed the grade to a university's office of academic affairs. The student claimed that the test did not cover subject matter highlighted in the class lectures.Which of the following would be the most useful in determining the validity of the student's claim?

a) Comparing the student's test scores with those of other students in the class.
b)Comparing the material covered in the professor's lecture notes to the material covered on the test.
c)Comparing the student's individual answers to those of a student who received high grades on the tests.
d)Determining whether it is university policy to only test subject material highlighted in course lectures.
e)Comparing the student's class notes with the material covered on the test.

The OA is B but I am stuck at D and can't understand the explanation. Expert help please.
I can see why you might feel that answer choice D is appealing. After all, if the university has no policy that states test topics must be aligned with what was taught in class, then the student has no case, right?

HOWEVER, the question asks, "Which of the following would be the most useful in determining the validity of the student's claim? "

What is the student's claim?

The claim is that "the test did not cover subject matter highlighted in the class lectures."

If we want to test this claim, we should compare the material covered in class to the material covered on the test. (answer choice B)

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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