What can we learn from an admittedly small sample, comparing the scoring on three ACA exams?:
Domain 1 – Selection, Appraisal & Acquisition….86%……….71%……….79%
Domain 2 – Arrangment & Description …………….93%……….93%……….93%
Domain 3 – Reference Services & Access ………….86%……….64%……….57%
Domain 4 – Preservation & Protection ……………..64%……….57%……….50%
Domain 5 – Outreach, Advocacy & Promotion …..86%……….64%……….71%
Domain 6 – Managing Archival Programs …………79%……….79%……….93%
Domain 7 – Professional, Ethical & Legal ………….80%……….73%……….67%
The scores on Domain 2 are the first thing that sticks out. Is it mere coincidence that three different people taking the test at three different locations would all have the same score for this domain? Perhaps. Or could it also indicate that there were not many questions for that domain and that those questions were easier or more basic?
By contrast, all three people had a tough time of it with Domain 4, Preservation & Protection. Would this indicate that the questions presented for this Domain were generally more difficult, or perhaps more obscure?
The main thing that I get out of this comparison is that I think it would be very helpful if the Academy were to provide a comparison column, showing for each domain the cumulative average score of all test-takers. Did everyone, or nearly everyone taking the test this year score 93% for Domain 2? Or if I scored 64% for Domain 4, how did that compare with the rest of those taking the test? Did most people score higher?
I may just write to ACA and see if I can get that information.
