Missed NFHS Test Question

[johnnyg08]

I haven't even received my packet for MN yet...I suppose it's because our season starts later than where it's not -40 degrees?

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by mbyron

When you take these tests, please bear in mind that the test makers intend that no one receives 100%. If they have to write impossibly worded questions to achieve that result, they will.

The rationale behind that goal is that folks who miss questions will be more motivated to go to the books. We might quibble with the pedagogy, but the evidence here is that the means suit the end.

There are too many gunmen on your grassy knoll!

Do you know any of the test makers? And they told you this? I seriously doubt what you say is true.

There is no way a test maker, in his effort to make sure nobody scores a 100%, would purposely create a question that would result in an overwhelming consensus about it being COMPLETELY SCREWED UP.

Just as we who take the tests have pride in doing well; those who create the tests have pride in creating fair and challenging questions.

Most poorly worded, or convoluted questions, are well-intended - it just comes out wrong. Something gets lost in the translation. In other words, they are the result of honest mistakes.

The guys who make the questions also have pride. I do not accept the notion (as you are inferring) that they sit down and deliberately conjure up screwed up questions that are designed to mislead and create false impressions.

Whoever authored this screwed up IFF/intentionally dropped ball question would probably openly admit (in retrospect), "Yeah, I worded that horribly. That's not what I intended to say. Crap! Sorry - bad question."

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[umpjong]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

There are too many gunmen on your grass knoll!

Do you know any of the test makers? And they told you this? I seriously doubt what you say is true.

There is no way a test maker, in his effort to make sure nobody scores a 100%, would purposely create a question that would result in an overwhelming consensus about it being COMPLETELY SCREWED UP.

Just as we who take the tests have pride in doing well; those who create the tests have pride in creating fair and challenging questions.

Most poorly worded, or convoluted questions, are well-intended - it just comes out wrong. Something gets lost in the translation. In other words, they are the result of honest mistakes.

The guys who make the questions also have pride. I do not accept the notion (as you are inferring) that they sit down and deliberately conjure up screwed up questions that are designed to mislead and create false impressions.

Whoever authored this screwed up IFF/intentionally dropped ball question would probably openly admit (in retrospect), "Yeah, I worded that horribly. That's not what I intended to say. Crap! Sorry - bad question."

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

You are more correct than you know....(great and accurate post!!)

[UmpJM]

Hmmm....

Having thought about it some, there is really nothing wrong with the wording of this question.

The only thing wrong is the answer key.

JM

[DG]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Hmmm....

Having thought about it some, there is really nothing wrong with the wording of this question.

The only thing wrong is the answer key.

JM

I agreed with you 41 posts ago.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Hmmm....

Having thought about it some, there is really nothing wrong with the wording of this question.

The only thing wrong is the answer key.

JM

The wording "in effect" is confusing to many. Does "in effect" mean IFF has been incorrectly called or are conditions prior to the bunt right for IFF? I don't think an umpire test needs to be written in such a fashion that a Bill Clinton parsing of the words needs to take place.
I believe if it was as simple as changing the answer key IL would not have thrown out the question.

[Tim C]

I was in NFHS meetings in Indianapolis on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I asked one of the test writers about this question.

The answer was:

"The question was written exactly as the rules committee requested.

"The only thing left open to interpretation is the term "in effect" and at no time does the question state an infield fly was called.

"The committee contends that the rules are clear that any ball intentionally dropped by a fielder becomes dead in this situation.

"If a reader of the question jumps to the conclusion that "in effect" means an infield fly was called then it is their issue that they are overreading the words in the question."

Take this as you want. I am not sold on the defense of the question but it is time to move on.

Regards,

Tim Christensen

Publication Committee Member
NFHS

"High School Today"

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by CO ump

I believe if it was as simple as changing the answer key IL would not have thrown out the question.

It is that simple.

Originally Posted by JJ

In Illinois the test key was changed so "TRUE" would be the correct answer.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by LDUB

It is that simple.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ

Originally Posted by JJ

In Illinois the test key was changed so "TRUE" would be the correct answer.

Perhaps they changed the key to 'true' previously, however since then they have thrown out the question.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I am not sold on the defense of the question but it is time to move on.

As I truly expected this thread to die out around eighty posts ago, I would
concur with your statement, and would request that this thread be locked,
but not deleted.

[BretMan]

Yeah, I swore off this thread a week ago. Pretty much said what I had to say and didn't think I had any more to add.

But every "official" explanation that gets posted from Indianapolis just puts their foot deeper in the pile of...whatever.

Tim has now offered another- directly from one of the test writers, at that. The explanation lays out a clear reasoning why the answer to this question should be TRUE! (And then goes on to say that the "confusion" is due to the reader's lack of comprehension, over-reading or false conclusions).

I would disagree. The question is quite simply written. The rules that apply are quite clear. The Case Play that covers this is clear, too.

The "confusion" seems to be on the part of the FED testmakers, who in their own answer key have declared the correct answer to be FALSE!

There still seems to be some sort of disconnect here. Way to botch the test, then blame the confusion on the guys that have to take the test. Nice.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I


"The committee contends that the rules are clear that any ball intentionally dropped by a fielder becomes dead in this situation.

Tim Christensen

Then why do they insist the answer is "false?" This statement you've made would indicate the answer should be "true."

Either the writer you talked to hasn't read the question, or hasn't seen the FED answer sheet, or doesn't know the rule.

[Tim C]

Garth:

This test writer said that the question was considered TRUE all along.

Regards,

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Garth:

This test writer said that the question was considered TRUE all along.

Regards,

How about the answer?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Garth:

This test writer said that the question was considered TRUE all along.

Regards,

So, then, (dare I ask) why is "FALSE" given as the correct answer on the FED answer sheet and by Indianapolis?

Man, I'm getting a headache.