FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which of the following tests relates an individual's test performance to standards rather than to the performance of others?

1. Criterion-referenced test

2. Norm-referenced test

3. Standardized test

4. Performance-based assessment

The correct answer is: Criterion-referenced test

A criterion-referenced test is designed to measure an individual's performance against a predetermined set of standards or criteria, rather than comparing that performance to the performances of other individuals. This type of test evaluates whether a test-taker has achieved specific learning objectives or skills, allowing educators and learners to identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement based on established benchmarks. In contrast, a norm-referenced test compares an individual's score to the scores of a representative group to determine relative performance. Standardized tests are typically norm-referenced and are created to ensure uniformity in administration and scoring, making it easier to compare results across different groups or populations. Performance-based assessments focus on the application of skills and knowledge in real-world contexts, but they also may not directly align with a fixed standard in the same way criterion-referenced tests do. Thus, identifying criterion-referenced testing as the correct answer highlights its unique function of assessing understanding and proficiency based on set standards, offering clarity about where a learner stands in relation to specified expectations.