What are common misconceptions regarding answer distributions in tests referred to as?

The term 'answer patterns' denotes the common misconceptions regarding how answers are distributed across a test. This concept refers to the belief that certain patterns in responses—such as consecutive correct or incorrect answers—might suggest the presence of underlying issues, such as question difficulty or test-taker ability. Recognizing and analyzing answer patterns can help educators make informed adjustments to test design and scoring.

On the other hand, the other options reflect different concepts. Question biases relate to how poorly designed questions may unfairly affect specific groups of test-takers. Statistical anomalies pertain to unexpected data results that deviate from predicted patterns or norms, which may not inherently suggest misconceptions about answer distributions. Pattern recognition typically involves the ability to identify regularities and trends within data but does not specifically apply to the misconceptions surrounding answer distributions in tests.