Abstract: A method and system for deciphering answer sheets for standardized tests and surveys using multiple-choice answer sheets. Multiple-choice answer sheets are typically scanned by automatic scanning machines, where the answers are deciphered and the information is gathered. An improved answer sheet includes a character, such as a symbol, a letter or a number in each bubble-type space on an answer sheet. A device, which may be a hand-held device, scans the marked-up answer sheet. Bubbles that are filled in may sometimes be hard to distinguish from un-marked spaces. The device that scans the answer sheets is equipped with optical mark recognition (OMR) software to detect marks. The device is also equipped with optical character recognition (OCR) software. If a bubble is not marked, the OCR software detects the character and correctly interprets the bubble as not marked. This allows for correct counting of the number of answers marked per sheet.