Computer-Scored Test Answer Marks, aka Bubble Marks: How Individual Are They?

Funding for schools is increasingly based on the results of standardized tests administered to the student. In administering these tests, many states and education-related organizations use computerscored answer sheets. On these sheets, a writer indicates his or her answers by using a pencil to fill in printed circles or ovals, making what are sometimes called bubble marks or grid marks. These answer sheets are then graded or scored electronically.
Document examiners are sometimes asked to examine computer-scored test answer sheets in order to determine whether they were completed by a specific student or whether they were each fully completed by one person. Since the sheets typically contain handwriting other than the answer marks themselves, the opinion reached, if any, is often based primarily on evidence in the handwritten text. However, sometimes the answer marks themselves become the issue.
The questions studied in this project are (1) whether writers have a consistency in making answer marks, (2) whether answer marks have individuality, (3) what conditions need to exist in order to reach a meaningful opinion about these marks, and (4) how the marks should be examined.