Which of the following best defines norm-referenced tests?

• A. A test designed to indicate how an individual performs in relation to same-age peers; IQ tests are common examples; administered the same way to everyone.
• B. A test that measures performance against predetermined criteria.
• C. A pre-instruction screening.
• D. An observation checklist.

Answer: (A)

Norm-referenced tests are about how an individual performs relative to a normative group, typically same-age peers. The key idea is ranking your performance within a distribution so you can see where you stand compared to others, using standardized procedures so everyone is tested the same way. That standardization is crucial because it makes scores meaningful comparisons across people. IQ tests are classic examples because they were designed to place an individual within a reference group and provide relative standing, not just whether they met a specific skill level.

The other descriptions describe different purposes. Measuring performance against predetermined criteria focuses on whether you have mastered specific skills, not how you compare to peers. A pre-instruction screening is used to identify potential needs before teaching, and an observation checklist records behaviors or tasks rather than providing a norm-based ranking. So the option that emphasizes performance relative to same-age peers and standardized administration best captures what norm-referenced testing is.