FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is true about norm-referenced tests?

1. They directly measure individual student's knowledge

2. They provide the same scores for all test-takers

3. They compare a student's performance to that of a norm group

4. They are primarily used for diagnostic purposes only

The correct answer is: They compare a student's performance to that of a norm group

Norm-referenced tests are designed to compare an individual student’s performance to the performance of a specific group, known as the norm group. This norm group typically consists of students who have taken the test under similar conditions, which allows for meaningful comparisons across a larger population. The results of such tests indicate how a student ranks relative to their peers, providing insights into their performance level in comparison to others who took the same assessment. This method is particularly useful in identifying how a student measures up against a broader educational context, rather than focusing solely on the mastery of a specific set of knowledge or skills. The purpose of norm-referenced assessments is not to determine what a student knows in absolute terms, but rather how they perform compared to others, which can inform decisions regarding placement, eligibility for programs, or general educational progress.