How is a norm-referenced test typically reported?

A norm-referenced test is designed to evaluate the performance of an individual test taker by comparing their scores with the scores of a defined group, or norm group, of test takers. This approach allows educators and administrators to see how a student performs in relation to their peers, effectively ranking individuals within a population. The results indicate not just whether students have met certain benchmarks or standards, but how they stand relative to others, often reflecting percentiles or other comparative metrics.

The other reporting methods do not align with the purpose of norm-referenced testing. For instance, reporting based on a universal standard applies more to criterion-referenced tests, which measure a student's performance against predefined criteria rather than against other individuals. A scale of letters (A-F) typically represents grading systems that might be used in educational assessments but not specifically in the context of norm-referenced comparisons. Lastly, subjective teacher evaluations would be more qualitative and not standardized for comparison across groups, differentiating them from the quantifiable nature of norm-referenced tests.