WGU OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT EXAM 2026/2027 | QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS Competency-Based | Actual Questions &
Verified Answers | Western Governors University Competency
Assessment | Pass Guarantee
DOMAIN 1: Analytical Reasoning & Problem-Solving (Questions 1–15)
1. A community-health dashboard shows the following quarterly trend:
● Q1 average BP: 132/84 mm Hg
● Q2 average BP: 128/82 mm Hg
● Q3 average BP: 126/80 mm Hg
● Q4 average BP: 130/85 mm Hg
Which inference is best supported?
A. The intervention was effective only in Q3.
B. Systolic pressure shows a significant linear decline.
C. The Q4 uptick warrants re-evaluation of the program.
D. Diastolic pressure remains above target regardless of intervention.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Competency in data-driven quality improvement requires recognizing when a
trend reverses. Q4’s return to Q1 levels suggests the intervention’s effect was not
sustained, requiring root-cause analysis.
2. A project manager must choose between two software upgrades. Upgrade A
costs $120 k and saves 1 200 staff hours/year (fully loaded hourly cost = $80).
Upgrade B costs $75 k and saves 900 hours/year. ROI after 1 year is highest for:
A. Upgrade A (net
3. 24k)B.UpgradeB(net
, 4. –3 k)
C. Upgrade A (net $96 k)
D. Upgrade B (net $3 k)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 1 200 h × $80 = $96 k savings; subtract $120 k cost → –$24 k year-1, still
better than B’s –$3 k.
3. A school district’s standardized reading scores drop 8 % after adopting a new
digital platform. The best next analytic step is:
A. Revert to the previous platform immediately.
B. Compare subgroup performance (grade, ELL, SPED).
C. Increase platform subscription to premium tier.
D. Dismiss the vendor contract.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disaggregating data identifies whether the drop is systemic or confined to
specific populations, guiding targeted interventions rather than blanket decisions.
4. A hospital’s post-operative infection rate is 3.5 % (national benchmark 2 %). A
control chart shows the last eight points above the mean but within upper control
limit. This indicates:
A. Common-cause variation; no action needed.
B. A special-cause trend requiring investigation.
C. Benchmark is outdated.
D. Sampling error; increase sample size.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eight consecutive points on one side of the mean (run rule) signals
special-cause variation even if inside control limits.
5. Root-cause analysis of medication-error incidents reveals most occur during 7
a.m. medication pass on medical floors. Which tool best identifies contributing
factors?
A. Pareto chart
, B. Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram
C. Histogram
D. Gantt chart
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fishbone diagrams systematically explore potential causes (staffing,
environment, process, equipment) underlying a defined problem.
6. A logistic-regression output shows an odds ratio of 1.8 (95 % CI 1.1–2.9) for
readmission among patients with HbA1c > 8 %. The best interpretation is:
A. Readmission risk is 80 % higher for poor glycemic control.
B. Readmission is 1.8 times as likely; true effect lies between 1.1 and 2.9.
C. Confidence interval includes 1; result is not significant.
D. Adjusted risk reduction is 1.8 %.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OR > 1 indicates increased likelihood; CI not crossing 1 confirms statistical
significance at α = 0.05.
7. A retail chain tests a loyalty program in 30 stores (pilot) and compares Q2 sales
to 30 matched controls. Which design threat is most plausible?
A. History effect—external events affect both groups.
B. Selection bias—stores self-selected into pilot.
C. Regression to the mean—extreme performers chosen.
D. Maturation—stores naturally improve over time.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Non-random self-selection into pilot undermines internal validity even with
matched controls.
8. A nurse-led fall-prevention bundle reduces falls from 5.2 to 3.8 per 1 000
patient-days (p = 0.04). The most accurate statement is:
A. The bundle caused the reduction.
B. The reduction is unlikely due to chance.
CORRECT ANSWERS Competency-Based | Actual Questions &
Verified Answers | Western Governors University Competency
Assessment | Pass Guarantee
DOMAIN 1: Analytical Reasoning & Problem-Solving (Questions 1–15)
1. A community-health dashboard shows the following quarterly trend:
● Q1 average BP: 132/84 mm Hg
● Q2 average BP: 128/82 mm Hg
● Q3 average BP: 126/80 mm Hg
● Q4 average BP: 130/85 mm Hg
Which inference is best supported?
A. The intervention was effective only in Q3.
B. Systolic pressure shows a significant linear decline.
C. The Q4 uptick warrants re-evaluation of the program.
D. Diastolic pressure remains above target regardless of intervention.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Competency in data-driven quality improvement requires recognizing when a
trend reverses. Q4’s return to Q1 levels suggests the intervention’s effect was not
sustained, requiring root-cause analysis.
2. A project manager must choose between two software upgrades. Upgrade A
costs $120 k and saves 1 200 staff hours/year (fully loaded hourly cost = $80).
Upgrade B costs $75 k and saves 900 hours/year. ROI after 1 year is highest for:
A. Upgrade A (net
3. 24k)B.UpgradeB(net
, 4. –3 k)
C. Upgrade A (net $96 k)
D. Upgrade B (net $3 k)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 1 200 h × $80 = $96 k savings; subtract $120 k cost → –$24 k year-1, still
better than B’s –$3 k.
3. A school district’s standardized reading scores drop 8 % after adopting a new
digital platform. The best next analytic step is:
A. Revert to the previous platform immediately.
B. Compare subgroup performance (grade, ELL, SPED).
C. Increase platform subscription to premium tier.
D. Dismiss the vendor contract.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disaggregating data identifies whether the drop is systemic or confined to
specific populations, guiding targeted interventions rather than blanket decisions.
4. A hospital’s post-operative infection rate is 3.5 % (national benchmark 2 %). A
control chart shows the last eight points above the mean but within upper control
limit. This indicates:
A. Common-cause variation; no action needed.
B. A special-cause trend requiring investigation.
C. Benchmark is outdated.
D. Sampling error; increase sample size.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eight consecutive points on one side of the mean (run rule) signals
special-cause variation even if inside control limits.
5. Root-cause analysis of medication-error incidents reveals most occur during 7
a.m. medication pass on medical floors. Which tool best identifies contributing
factors?
A. Pareto chart
, B. Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram
C. Histogram
D. Gantt chart
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fishbone diagrams systematically explore potential causes (staffing,
environment, process, equipment) underlying a defined problem.
6. A logistic-regression output shows an odds ratio of 1.8 (95 % CI 1.1–2.9) for
readmission among patients with HbA1c > 8 %. The best interpretation is:
A. Readmission risk is 80 % higher for poor glycemic control.
B. Readmission is 1.8 times as likely; true effect lies between 1.1 and 2.9.
C. Confidence interval includes 1; result is not significant.
D. Adjusted risk reduction is 1.8 %.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OR > 1 indicates increased likelihood; CI not crossing 1 confirms statistical
significance at α = 0.05.
7. A retail chain tests a loyalty program in 30 stores (pilot) and compares Q2 sales
to 30 matched controls. Which design threat is most plausible?
A. History effect—external events affect both groups.
B. Selection bias—stores self-selected into pilot.
C. Regression to the mean—extreme performers chosen.
D. Maturation—stores naturally improve over time.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Non-random self-selection into pilot undermines internal validity even with
matched controls.
8. A nurse-led fall-prevention bundle reduces falls from 5.2 to 3.8 per 1 000
patient-days (p = 0.04). The most accurate statement is:
A. The bundle caused the reduction.
B. The reduction is unlikely due to chance.
