What kind of assessment uses norms to compare scores against a reference group?

• A. Standardized test
• B. Norms
• C. Percentile rank
• D. Recode

Answer: (A)

A standardized test is designed to be given and scored in a consistent way, and its results are interpreted using normative data from a reference group. That normative data provides a benchmark so you can see how a student’s score compares to a representative set of test-takers. Because of this, scores are understood in relation to that peer group, often yielding percentile ranks or standard scores. The term norms isn’t describing a test itself but the reference data used for interpretation, while percentile rank is just one way of reporting where you stand, and recode is simply transforming data.