What type of assessment involves comparing a student's score to the scores of other test-takers?

Norm-referenced assessment is designed specifically to evaluate a student's performance in relation to the performance of a larger group of students, often referred to as the norm group. In these assessments, scores are typically reported as percentile ranks or standardized scores, allowing educators to see how an individual student measures up against peers.

This type of assessment is often used to determine a student's standing compared to others, helping to identify where they fall within a broader context. For instance, if a student scores in the 75th percentile, it indicates that they performed better than 75% of the students in the norm group. Such comparisons can be valuable for making decisions about instructional strategies, curriculum planning, and identifying areas where additional support may be needed.

In contrast, criterion-referenced assessments measure a student's performance against a fixed set of criteria or learning standards, summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period, and formative assessments are used to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback during the learning process. Each type serves a different purpose in the educational landscape, but norm-referenced assessments specifically emphasize comparison with a broader group.