Personality Correlates of Students' Patterns of Changing Answers on Multiple-Choice Tests

For 65 students in two undergraduate courses in adolescent psychology, both (a) number of changes of multiple-choice answers and (b) improvement were calculated and correlated with demographic and some personality variables (depression, anxiety, assertion, introversion-extroversion). Changing answers enhanced scores for most students. A students and assertive students changed significantly fewer answers. Using a multiple regression procedure the four best predictors of number of changes, respectively, were the Lie scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory, assertiveness, course grade, and depression; the three best predictors of improvement in order were the Lie scale, marital status, and assertiveness.