In testing the mean of a sample, calculating a negative value of the t-statistic (t) indicates ______.

A) the sample mean is less than the hypothesized population mean
B) the score is less than the mean
C) is greater than
D) you have made an error in your calculations

T-statistic

A statistic used in hypothesis testing, specifically to determine the significance of the difference between two sample means.

Hypothesized Population Mean

The expected value of the mean for a population, as proposed in a hypothesis, that is tested for accuracy against sample data.