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The Correct Answer Trap: Pedagogically-Grounded Detection and Feedback for Hidden Misconceptions

◐ medium · 2026-06-23formative-assessment, llm, automated-grading, k-12, student-modeling

Imran and Bulathwela (2026) identify the 'correct answer trap' — automated feedback systems that judge only answer correctness reinforce rather than address misconceptions when students reach the right answer through flawed reasoning. Using 20,964 real student responses from the Eedi mathematics platform, they find fine-tuned classifiers detect only 57% of hidden misconceptions (standard ML interventions did not improve this), while open-weight reasoning models reach 84% but at a false-alarm-to-true-detection ratio of roughly 8:1 at realistic prevalence. They propose a graduated assessment rubric separating answer correctness from method validity, and a detect-verify-escalate pipeline that routes uncertain cases to diagnostic follow-up questions. Two deployment modes are offered: a teacher dashboard for review queue filtering, and an autonomous tutor where flags trigger low-cost Formative Assessment follow-up. This work directly addresses Student Modeling gaps in Intelligent Tutoring systems and has implications for Automated Grading in K 12 math education.

Connected Concepts

  • Formative Assessment
  • Student Modeling
  • Intelligent Tutoring
  • Automated Grading
  • K 12

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    • Citation

    Moiz Imran, Sahan Bulathwela (2026). The Correct Answer Trap: Pedagogically-Grounded Detection and Feedback for Hidden Misconceptions. arXiv:2606.23205. AIED PEAF 2026 Workshop