What does a norm referenced test compare?

A norm-referenced test is designed to evaluate an individual's performance in relation to the performance of a specific reference group. This means that the results of the test provide an understanding of how an individual's scores compare to those of their peers. The reference group often consists of a larger population that has already been assessed, allowing for a baseline to compare individual results against. This type of testing is beneficial for understanding relative standing—such as whether a student is performing better or worse than average, facilitating decisions about educational support or placement.

In contrast, other options pertain to different types of measurement. Mastery criteria focus on the extent to which an individual meets predefined benchmarks, which is characteristic of criterion-referenced tests. Measuring performance against educational standards also reflects a criterion-referenced approach, aimed at aligning with specific skills or knowledge bases. Lastly, subjective measures of personal improvement are not standardized and do not yield comparative data across a population, making them inherently different from the objective nature of norm-referenced assessments.