What is a norm-referenced test primarily used for?

A norm-referenced test is designed to compare the performance of an individual student to the performance of a group or norm population. This type of testing allows educators and researchers to understand how a student's performance stacks up against that of their peers. The primary purpose of norm-referenced tests is to highlight achievement differences among students, identifying where a student falls in relation to a broader sample.

The focus on comparison with a normative group enables insights into not just individual performance but also the relative standing of students within a specific context, such as a grade level or demographic group. This information is often used to inform decisions regarding placement, interventions, and identification for gifted programs. Norm-referenced tests yield scores that can be interpreted in terms of percentiles or standard scores, making it easier to see how one student compares to the average performance of the group.

While other assessments serve different purposes, such as measuring growth over time or providing feedback on understanding, the central feature of norm-referenced tests is their ability to reveal differences in achievement levels among a population of students.