To help distribute correct answer positions across a set of questions, which approach is advisable?

• A. Rotate the position of the correct answer across questions.
• B. Keeping the same position for the correct answer across questions.
• C. Cycling only among the first three positions.
• D. Explicitly ensuring each position serves as the correct answer for roughly equal numbers of questions.

Answer: (D)

Distributing correct-answer placements evenly across a test helps prevent answer-pattern cues and keeps scoring fair. The best approach is to plan the answer key so that each position is used as the correct choice for roughly the same number of questions. This balanced distribution reduces the chance that test-takers will guess based on where the correct answer tends to appear and prevents any one position from signaling the right choice. Rotating positions without enforcing balance can still create hidden patterns, cycling only among a few positions leaves predictable tendencies, and sticking with the same position across questions invites systematic guessing. By explicitly balancing how often each position is correct, you promote fairness and improve the quality of the assessment.