If a student consistently improves their performance on multiple-choice economics assessments after implementing effective strategies such as identifying keywords and pre-formulating answers, what is the likely underlying cause of this improvement?

The likely underlying cause of the student's improvement in multiple-choice economics assessments is their enhanced understanding of the material and test-taking skills. By identifying keywords, the student learns to focus on what each question is really asking, which helps them to eliminate incorrect answers more effectively. Pre-formulating answers allows the student to think critically about the question before looking at the choices, leading to better decision-making. For example, if a question asks about the effects of supply and demand, the student can recall key concepts and relate them to the options provided, increasing their chances of selecting the correct answer. Overall, these strategies build confidence and improve the student's ability to think analytically during assessments.