A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is plotted for a new diagnostic test. The area under the curve (AUC) is 0.55. This indicates that the test:

• A Has excellent discriminating ability
• B Is a perfect test
• C Is equivalent to a test with AUC of 0.9
• D Has discriminating ability barely above chance ✓

Explanation

AUC (Area Under the ROC Curve) of 0.5 represents a test with no discriminating ability (equivalent to random chance). AUC of 1.0 is a perfect test. An AUC of 0.55 is only marginally above chance, indicating very poor diagnostic utility. Values 0.7–0.8 are considered acceptable, 0.8–0.9 excellent, and >0.9 outstanding.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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