What is a norm-referenced assessment?

A norm-referenced assessment is one that evaluates an individual's performance by comparing it to the performance of a larger sample group or population. This type of assessment provides context for understanding where an individual stands relative to their peers, allowing for a comparison against a predefined standard or average. The results help determine how well a person performs in relation to others, which can be particularly useful in educational and psychological evaluations, as it highlights relative strengths and weaknesses within a larger context.

In contrast to other types of assessments that might focus solely on individual progress or subjective outcomes, norm-referenced assessments emphasize relative performance, which can inform decisions related to instruction, placement, or other educational strategies.