What is the main use of scratch paper during assessments?

The primary use of scratch paper during assessments is for detailed note-taking during responses. This allows students to jot down calculations, brainstorm ideas, or structure their thoughts before writing their final answers on the official answer sheet. It serves as a helpful tool for working through problems and organizing information, enabling test-takers to clarify their thinking and approach questions methodically.

While writing final answers is important and may occur on the official answer sheet, scratch paper is not intended for that purpose. Drafting questions for instructors and recording attendance do not align with the function of scratch paper, as it is meant to facilitate the test-taking process by providing a space for preliminary work and reflections that ultimately aid in arriving at an accurate answer.