A friend of yours, a senior, took the Graduate Record Exam in September and scored in the 99th percentile. In February, your friend took the same exam over again. This time your friend scored in the 90th percentile. As a research methods student, you told your friend that his/her lowered score was most likely due to:
A)testing.
B)differential selection.
C)statistical regression.
D)demoralization.
E)compensation rivalry.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Statistical regression is the most likely explanation for the lowered score. This phenomenon occurs when extreme scores on a test tend to regress towards the mean on subsequent attempts. Since your friend's first score was in the 99th percentile, it was an extreme score that was unlikely to be replicated. Therefore, it is not surprising that the second score was lower and closer to the average score.

A Friend of Yours, a Senior, Took the Graduate Record