How are scores from norm-referenced tests typically described?

Scores from norm-referenced tests are commonly described relative to the average performance of a group. This means that an individual's score is interpreted based on how it compares to the scores of a normative sample, which typically comprises a representative group of individuals who have taken the same test.

This approach allows for meaningful comparison, as norm-referenced tests provide context by allowing educators, psychologists, and other professionals to understand where an individual stands in relation to peers. For example, if a student scores at the 75th percentile, it indicates that the student performed better than 75% of the individuals in the normative sample. This comparison is key for making decisions regarding educational placement, identifying areas of need, and assessing progress over time, as it positions individual scores within a broader framework of performance.

This ranking or percentile system highlights the relative nature of the scores rather than assessing them against a fixed standard or individual growth trajectory, which differentiates norm-referenced tests from other types of assessments such as criterion-referenced tests.