EXM.1.AHL.TZ0.20

pestleMathematicsAIHLPaper 1EXM· ahl-4-12-data-collection-reliability-and-validity-testssource ↗

As part of the selection process for an engineering course at a particular university, applicants are given an exam in mathematics. This year the university has produced a new exam and they want to test if it is a valid indicator of future performance, before giving it to applicants. They randomly select 8 students in their first year of the engineering course and give them the exam. They compare the exam scores with their results in the engineering course.

The results of the 8 students are shown in the table.

State the name of this test for validity.

[1]

Calculate Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient for this data.

[2]

Hence determine, with a reason, if the new exam is a valid indicator of future performance.

[2]

Markscheme / solution

criterion-related A1

[1 mark]

$r = 0.414$ A2

[2 marks]

Since the value of $r$ is low (closer to 0 than +1), R1

The new exam is not a valid indicator of future performance. A1

[2 marks]

Examiners’ report

[N/A]