In probabilistic matching, which statement about matching scores is true?

• A. Scores reflect only exact matches
• B. Scores can indicate varying degrees of similarity
• C. Scores are binary only
• D. Scores always lead to an automatic match

Answer: (B)

Probabilistic matching relies on scores that reflect how similar two records are, not just whether they are exactly the same. These scores capture partial agreement across multiple fields—such as a slightly misspelled name, a birth date that matches, and a different address—so you can see varying degrees of similarity. Because of this, scores are typically continuous or ordered, not just yes/no. After scoring, a threshold is applied to decide matches, and some cases may require manual review rather than being automatically labeled a match. This is why the statement that scores can indicate varying degrees of similarity is the best answer. The other ideas—that scores reflect only exact matches, are binary, or always lead to automatic matches—do not fit how probabilistic matching actually works.