A Three-Part Guide to Understanding Your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Exam Score
Part 3: Interpreting Your Percent Correct Scores
The percent correct scores provide numerical details about your performance, both overall and in specific content areas. This also helps in Understanding Your ServSafe® Exam Scores.
Total Percent Correct Score
This score shows the proportion of questions you answered correctly on the exam. It is calculated by dividing your raw score (total number of correct answers) by the total number of scored questions (currently 80).
For example, 56 correct answers divided by 80 scored questions yields a 70% score.
- Frame of Reference: This score is most meaningful when compared to the cut score. This comparison helps you gauge how far above or below the “minimally qualified” criterion you performed.
- Limitations: It is generally inappropriate to compare your total percent correct score with others or to draw conclusions about how much more you know than another examinee. The score does not suggest anything about how your performance compares to the national average of examinees.
Percent Correct Scores by Content Domain
The examinee report also breaks down your score by content domain (area of food safety knowledge).
- Domain Scores as Relative Strengths/Weaknesses: These scores should not be interpreted as “subtest” scores to draw definitive conclusions about your knowledge in each area. Instead, they are best used to get a sense of your relative strengths and weaknesses.
Understanding Your ServSafe® Exam Scores
- No Domain Cut Scores: There are currently no criteria (like cut scores) for domains, so you shouldn’t view a domain score as “good” or “bad” in an absolute sense. Focus on whether the score is significantly higher or lower than your other domain scores to guide your improvement efforts.
Understanding the context and limitations of your ServSafe® exam scores allows you to move beyond superficial numbers and truly interpret your results to better your career38.