Norm-Referenced vs.

Criterion-Referenced

Psychological measurement is the process of using tools to evaluate one or more

psychological trait or variable. Psychological traits include personality traits and emotional

function as well as cognition. Cognition is a term that includes the processes of attention,

learning, memory, language, perception, and thought. Specific tests have been designed to

measure individual aspects of cognition, personality traits, and emotional function. These

tests take a variety of forms.

Because of the number of assessments that exist to assist in psychological

measurement, it is important for practitioners to understand major test descriptors. Two key

testing descriptors are 'norm-referenced' and 'criterion-referenced.' These descriptors refer to

the way in which the test is scored.

Norm-referenced: test results are compared to the results of a similar group of people and

testers are ranked in relation to other testers.

Criterion-referenced: test results are compared to a set standard or criteria and testers are

ranked in relation to the body of tested knowledge.

Practitioners should know the differences in testing and scoring for norm-referenced

vs. criterion-referenced tests when selecting and performing psychological testing.

Norm-Referenced Test: Definition

A norm-referenced test is a type of standardized test (that is, a test that is identical for

every test-taker). After the items on a norm-referenced test are scored, the scores are

compared to those of a comparison group, or norming group. Because the test-taker is

compared to other people, the results can be considered subjective.

To develop a norm-referenced test, the test developers select a statistically relevant

group of individuals and administer the test items. The scores of this norming group are used

to create the scoring system for that test. The composition of the norming group depends on
the test, but factors considered usually include age or grade level, and may also be narrowed

down by other demographic information. In addition, some tests are normed for more than

one group. If so, a test administrator gives the test, then chooses the correct scoring system

based on the subject's qualifications (i.e., the administrator uses a different scoring chart for a

seven-year-old than for a twelve-year-old).

The norm-referenced test definition indicates that the results are reported as a

percentage or a percentile ranking. The purpose of this number is to tell the test-taker what

percentage of the norming group scored above and below them. Many test developers use a

bell curve to organize their data. This means that they expect the largest percentage of test-

takers to score in the middle range of the test, with smaller numbers of test-takers performing

below average and above average.

Assessments

Norm-referenced assessments are used when the goal is to rank test-takers in

relationship to their peers. Another benefit in norm-referenced assessment is that it makes up

for errors in test development. Results are not compromised if a test is too easy or too hard,

because testers are being compared to others and not merely to the testing tool.
Examples of norm-referenced tests include:

Test Description

School readiness assessments Assessments used to test academic readiness

and academic skill level are often norm-

referenced, such as the Woodcock-Johnson

Test of Achievement, the Peabody

Individual Achievement Test, and the

Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic

Skills.

Learning disability screenings Psychologists screening for learning

disabilities often include IQ tests such as the

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children

(WISC) and Stanford Binet Intelligence

Scale, both of which are norm-referenced.

College entrance exams The SAT, ACT, and others are norm-

referenced tests used in college admissions.

Program-specific entrance exams such as

the LSAT for law school can also be norm-

referenced.

Mental health screenings Numerous screening tools are available to

practitioners and are selected based on the

needs of the individual being tested.

Baby growth percentile rankings The growth charts used by pediatricians to

assign a percentile ranking to a baby's

height, weight, and head size are based on

child's size to that of other children of the

same age

Criterion-Referenced Test: Definition

A criterion-referenced test is an objective assessment that compares a test-taker's

performance to a set of fixed standards or objectives. Some criterion-referenced tests are

standardized, while others are not. Criterion-referenced tests come in many formats and may

be administered on a large-scale or small-scale basis. What makes a test criterion-referenced

is the scoring process. The reported score represents the number of correct answers out of a

total, rather than the test-taker's performance in comparison to others.

Examples of Criterion-Referenced Assessments

Criterion-referenced tests are found in many contexts. Some examples of criterion-

referenced tests are:

Test Description

Program entrance exams Some college level programs require

entrance exams that are criterion-referenced,

used by some nursing schools.

Academic achievement tests The AP (Advanced Placement) exams are a

well-known example of a criterion-

referenced test given to high school

students.

Discipline-specific screening tools An example is the Rosetti Infant-Toddler

Language Scale used in speech and

language testing. Various checklists are used

to assess individuals for characteristics of

disorders, and other issues.

Readiness scales A readiness scale may be designed for

kindergarten entrance, program admission,

or changing levels in an extracurricular

program. What these scales have in

common is a collection of skills necessary

for a specific thing and a way to record if an

individual has mastered the skills.

College final exams Most college courses have final exams

designed to determine if students have met

the criteria deemed necessary to pass the

course.

Classroom assessments Many classroom assessments are criterion-

referenced as teachers check if students

have met learning objectives.