FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What characteristic is typical of norm-referenced tests?

1. Everyone can score well

2. Scores are absolute and not relative

3. Results are ranked against a bell curve

4. They focus on individual growth

The correct answer is: Results are ranked against a bell curve

Norm-referenced tests are designed to compare a test taker's performance against the performance of a representative group, often referred to as the norm group. The characteristic that results are ranked against a bell curve reflects the fundamental nature of these tests, where individuals' scores are interpreted in relation to the scores of others. In this context, the bell curve illustrates the distribution of scores, showing that some individuals will score significantly higher or lower than the average. The goal of norm-referenced tests is to position each individual within the broader scoring context, allowing educators and administrators to understand where a test taker stands compared to peers. This is in contrast to other scoring methods, which may prioritize absolute scores or individual growth without comparative context. For instance, options highlighting that everyone can score well or that scores are absolute do not align with the fundamental aim of norm-referenced assessments. These tests inherently function within a framework of relative performance, which is why ranking against a bell curve is a defining characteristic.