Which statement best describes how response-code scoring maps student responses to a proficiency level?

• A. Scores are determined by averaging all tasks.
• B. Proficiency is derived from the pattern of labeled responses on a test.
• C. The final grade is determined by course attendance.
• D. Scores are based on time spent on the assessment.

Answer: (B)

Response-code scoring treats each student answer as a signal about understanding. Each item is given a code that reflects how well the student demonstrated knowledge—mastery, partial understanding, or remaining confusion. The proficiency level is then derived from the overall pattern of these labeled responses across the assessment, not from simply averaging scores on individual tasks. This pattern-based approach reveals where a student consistently shows strength and where gaps emerge, giving a more accurate picture of proficiency. Time spent or attendance don’t indicate mastery, so they aren’t used to determine proficiency. By focusing on the sequence and distribution of coded responses, the system maps a student’s knowledge to a clear proficiency level.