If a distribution is not symmetrical and the bulk of scores are on one end, it is described as which type?

• A. Normal
• B. Uniform
• C. Skewed
• D. Bimodal

Answer: (C)

Skewness describes asymmetry in a distribution. When most scores accumulate toward one end and the tail trails off toward the other, the shape is skewed. If the bulk is on the lower end with a longer tail to the higher end, that’s right (positive) skew; if the bulk is on the higher end with a longer tail to the lower end, that’s left (negative) skew. This differs from a normal distribution, which is symmetric and bell-shaped; a uniform distribution spreads values evenly across the range; a bimodal distribution has two distinct peaks. So, when the distribution isn’t symmetrical and most scores cluster at one end, the appropriate description is skewed.