How is the total score for the ARE calculated?

• A. By averaging the division scores.
• B. By adding up the points earned for all correctly answered items, excluding pretest items.
• C. By counting all items equally, including pretest items.
• D. By summing only the pretest items.

Answer: (B)

Your ARE score is determined by adding up points earned on all items that count toward scoring, excluding pretest items. Each item is worth one point if you answer it correctly, and zero if you don’t. Pretest questions are included to evaluate new items and do not count toward your final score, so they don’t affect the total. In short, the total reflects only the correctly answered scored items, not any pretest questions.