WGU C955 Applied Probability and Statistics Final Exam Actual
2026/2027 Questions with Detailed Verified Answers Grade A+
(GUARANTEED PASS)
INTRODUCTION
Mastering applied statistics is a core milestone for many higher education paths,
balancing mathematical logic with real-world research analysis. This foundational
guide bridges the gap between raw formulas and practical data interpretation to
boost your test-day confidence.
Question 1
An analyst wants to determine if a new software training program directly
increases employee typing speed. She randomly selects 50 employees, records
their starting speeds, has them complete the training, and then records their final
speeds. What type of study is this?
A) Observational study
B) Experimental study
C) Survey
D) Longitudinal case study
Answer: B) Experimental study
Explanation: This is an experimental study because the researcher actively
applies a treatment (the new software training program) to the subjects
and measures the resulting change in the dependent variable (typing
speed). Observational studies do not manipulate or introduce variables.
,Question 2
Which of the following measurements is an example of continuous quantitative
data?
A) The number of students who passed the final exam
B) The exact weight of a shipping parcel
C) A customer satisfaction rating scale from 1 to 5
D) The zip code of a residential home
Answer: B) The exact weight of a shipping parcel
Explanation: Weight is continuous data because it can take on any infinite
value within a range (e.g., 12.345 lbs) and is obtained by measuring. The
number of students is discrete (counted), satisfaction is
ordinal/categorical, and a zip code is nominal data.
Question 3
A dataset containing the test scores of 15 students has a severe outlier that is
much lower than the rest of the scores. If this outlier is removed from the
dataset, what will happen to the mean and the median?
A) The mean will increase significantly; the median will remain relatively
unchanged.
B) The mean will decrease; the median will increase significantly.
C) Both the mean and the median will decrease by the exact same value.
D) The mean will remain unchanged; the median will increase.
Answer: A) The mean will increase significantly; the median will remain
relatively unchanged.
,Explanation: The mean is highly sensitive to extreme outliers because it
factors the actual value of every data point into its calculation. Removing a
very low outlier causes the average to go up. The median is resistant to
outliers because it only represents the middle position of the data.
Question 4
A normal distribution of test scores has a mean (\(\mu \)) of 75 and a standard
deviation (\(\sigma \)) of 5. According to the Empirical Rule (68-95-99.7 rule),
approximately what percentage of students scored between 65 and 85?
A) 68%
B) 95%
C) 99.7%
D) 50%
Answer: B) 95%
Explanation: The score range of 65 to 85 represents exactly two standard
deviations below and above the mean (75 - 2(5) = 65, and 75 + 2(5) = 85).
The Empirical Rule states that approximately 95% of data falls within \(\pm
2\) standard deviations of the mean in a normal distribution.
Question 5
Evaluate the following expression using the correct order of operations (PEMDAS):
\(12+4\times (9-6)^{2}-8\)
A) 136
B) 40
, C) 28
D) 52
Answer: B) 40
Explanation: First, simplify inside the parentheses: \(9 - 6 = 3\). Next,
calculate the exponent: \(3^2 = 9\). Then perform multiplication before
addition/subtraction: \(4 \times 9 = 36\). Finally, perform addition and
subtraction from left to right: \(12 + 36 - 8 = 48 - 8 = 40\).
6. Module 1: Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
Evaluate the following expression: \(4 + 3 \times (8 - 2^2) \div 2\)
A. 14
B. 10
C. 12
D. 8
VERIFIED ANSWER: B. 10
EXPLANATION: Following PEMDAS rules, evaluate the exponent inside the
parentheses first: \(2^2 = 4\). Next, solve the operations inside the
parentheses: \(8 - 4 = 4\). The expression now reads \(4 + 3 \times 4 \div
2\). Perform multiplication and division from left to right: \(3 \times 4 =
12\), and then \(12 \div 2 = 6\). Finally, perform the addition: \(4 + 6 =
10\).
7. Module 1: Number Classifications
2026/2027 Questions with Detailed Verified Answers Grade A+
(GUARANTEED PASS)
INTRODUCTION
Mastering applied statistics is a core milestone for many higher education paths,
balancing mathematical logic with real-world research analysis. This foundational
guide bridges the gap between raw formulas and practical data interpretation to
boost your test-day confidence.
Question 1
An analyst wants to determine if a new software training program directly
increases employee typing speed. She randomly selects 50 employees, records
their starting speeds, has them complete the training, and then records their final
speeds. What type of study is this?
A) Observational study
B) Experimental study
C) Survey
D) Longitudinal case study
Answer: B) Experimental study
Explanation: This is an experimental study because the researcher actively
applies a treatment (the new software training program) to the subjects
and measures the resulting change in the dependent variable (typing
speed). Observational studies do not manipulate or introduce variables.
,Question 2
Which of the following measurements is an example of continuous quantitative
data?
A) The number of students who passed the final exam
B) The exact weight of a shipping parcel
C) A customer satisfaction rating scale from 1 to 5
D) The zip code of a residential home
Answer: B) The exact weight of a shipping parcel
Explanation: Weight is continuous data because it can take on any infinite
value within a range (e.g., 12.345 lbs) and is obtained by measuring. The
number of students is discrete (counted), satisfaction is
ordinal/categorical, and a zip code is nominal data.
Question 3
A dataset containing the test scores of 15 students has a severe outlier that is
much lower than the rest of the scores. If this outlier is removed from the
dataset, what will happen to the mean and the median?
A) The mean will increase significantly; the median will remain relatively
unchanged.
B) The mean will decrease; the median will increase significantly.
C) Both the mean and the median will decrease by the exact same value.
D) The mean will remain unchanged; the median will increase.
Answer: A) The mean will increase significantly; the median will remain
relatively unchanged.
,Explanation: The mean is highly sensitive to extreme outliers because it
factors the actual value of every data point into its calculation. Removing a
very low outlier causes the average to go up. The median is resistant to
outliers because it only represents the middle position of the data.
Question 4
A normal distribution of test scores has a mean (\(\mu \)) of 75 and a standard
deviation (\(\sigma \)) of 5. According to the Empirical Rule (68-95-99.7 rule),
approximately what percentage of students scored between 65 and 85?
A) 68%
B) 95%
C) 99.7%
D) 50%
Answer: B) 95%
Explanation: The score range of 65 to 85 represents exactly two standard
deviations below and above the mean (75 - 2(5) = 65, and 75 + 2(5) = 85).
The Empirical Rule states that approximately 95% of data falls within \(\pm
2\) standard deviations of the mean in a normal distribution.
Question 5
Evaluate the following expression using the correct order of operations (PEMDAS):
\(12+4\times (9-6)^{2}-8\)
A) 136
B) 40
, C) 28
D) 52
Answer: B) 40
Explanation: First, simplify inside the parentheses: \(9 - 6 = 3\). Next,
calculate the exponent: \(3^2 = 9\). Then perform multiplication before
addition/subtraction: \(4 \times 9 = 36\). Finally, perform addition and
subtraction from left to right: \(12 + 36 - 8 = 48 - 8 = 40\).
6. Module 1: Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
Evaluate the following expression: \(4 + 3 \times (8 - 2^2) \div 2\)
A. 14
B. 10
C. 12
D. 8
VERIFIED ANSWER: B. 10
EXPLANATION: Following PEMDAS rules, evaluate the exponent inside the
parentheses first: \(2^2 = 4\). Next, solve the operations inside the
parentheses: \(8 - 4 = 4\). The expression now reads \(4 + 3 \times 4 \div
2\). Perform multiplication and division from left to right: \(3 \times 4 =
12\), and then \(12 \div 2 = 6\). Finally, perform the addition: \(4 + 6 =
10\).
7. Module 1: Number Classifications
