Why ISC2 /ISACA/PMI et al. do not mark research questions in exam?

riyan

As we are all familiar with ISC2/ISACA/PMI exams format and presence of several questions that will not be counted towards final marking (research / prototype questions). I am wondering what would be wrong if they mark these so that test taker become aware of it. Do you guys/gals think of any reason or rationale behind it?

dustervoice

Well from my experience while taking the test, the questions i felt were "research" questions ive never seen anything similar to them in any of the books are other resources I've used to prepare. It would be a bit harsh to grade on questions that no cissp material has covered.

cyberguypr

For such a long exam if people are told X or Y question is "research", most likely they will not put in as much effort as a "real" question. If you want to test something you need to blend it, not stick out like a sore thumb. Completely defeats the purpose. Example: SANS exams give you your grade percentage every 15 questions. If by the last block I am tired/hungry and have very high marks I won't put much effort thinking about the answer because I'll pass no matter what.

mjsinhsv

If test takers knew the question was fluff or didn't count, they wouldn't give it their best shot.
I think the intention of ISC and ISACA is to develop a baseline candidate pool of questions to inject into the real test.
If 100% of testers answer correctly or incorrectly with no prior knowledge, it's probably not a good candidate for the real test.
If 50% (or whatever their baseline % is) answer correctly using real world experience, it may be a good candidate for the real test.
just my opinion. Have no idea what algorithms or baseline metrics they use.

riyan

Got the idea. So basically they want to ensure that test taker give those items same "RESPECT" as that of actual ones. I was writing GRE General (Graduate Record Exams) during that exam I could opt NOT TO TAKE PART in research.