1. In all sorts of fields or endeavors, tests are often taken. The purposes of testing can vary, from determining if a subject has been mastered to determining where someone ranks in relation to his or her peers. There are two common ways to understand the meaning of scores on a test. These are called norm-referenced scores and criterion-referenced scores.
Norm-referenced scores are scores that are compared to others who have taken the test. This allows a comparison of where the test-taker ranks among his or her peers. A common example of a norm-referenced test is the SAT exam. The score reports on the SAT do not reference the number of correct or percentage of correct items, but rather a score and percentile rank. This allows test administrators to determine how well a test-taker has done compared to others who have taken the test, not only at the same time, but in years past and in years to come.
Criterion-referenced scores do not compare test-takers with others. Instead, a set standard or criterion is used to which the scores are compared. For example, a written driver's test might require a minimum of 20 out of 25 correct answers, a school district might require a minimum reading level in order to attain graduation, or an airline might require a minimum proficiency level in a variety of tests in order to certify a pilot. In such cases, the individual scores are being measured against a single standard, not against a group of other scores. In a criterion-referenced system, it is possible that no pilots would reach certification during a given month, but under a norm-referenced system, there would always be a top percentile. Therefore, the main difference between criterion-referenced scoring systems and norm-referenced systems is that criterion-referenced systems have a set standard, and norm-referenced systems do not.
2. Any assessment instrument that has been normed on youths living in a university town is ...