
You may have had an experience where you took a test for a class, and the instructor showed you the class’s results afterwards. The results probably mapped out into the infamous “bell-shaped curve”, with a few people scoring on the low end of the curve, the majority clustering in the middle, and a few people scoring on the high end. What you may not have known is that this is a normal distribution found in norm-referenced testing.
Norm-referenced tests (or NRTs) compare an examinee’s performance to that of other examinees. Standardized examinations such as the SAT are norm-referenced tests. The goal is to rank the set of examinees so that decisions about their opportunity for success (e.g. college entrance) can be made.
Criterion-referenced tests (or CRTs) differ in that each examinee’s performance is compared to a pre-defined set of criteria or a standard. The goal with these tests is to determine whether or not the candidate has the demonstrated mastery of a certain skill or set of skills. These results are usually “pass” or “fail” and are used in making decisions about job entry, certification, or licensure. A national board medical exam is an example of a CRT. Either the examinee has the skills to practice the profession, in which case he or she is licensed, or does not.
ALTA’s exams, which measure the candidate’s performance against pre-defined criteria (the performance levels), are also an example of criterion-referenced tests. Based on the passing level set by ALTA or the client, the results can then be used to determine whether or not the candidate meets the performance requirements of the job from a language standpoint.
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Lorena Pena
Posted at 15:15h, 27 Marchthank you, thank you! it was very easy explained and it cleared my doubt.
collins
Posted at 08:33h, 13 Apriltoo shallow men expand on it
somia
Posted at 15:32h, 23 Aprilit has been a great help in understanding both the ideas especially examples have made it easier. thanks really…
ibrahim
Posted at 08:11h, 17 Junethanks greatly ,really I have agreat idea about both kinds of tests but Iwant to know about using them in mock exams
Santanu
Posted at 02:09h, 24 JuneThank you for clarifying my long-lasted doubt with lucid illustration
anne
Posted at 05:31h, 25 Junethank you for the info, it was well elaborated.
Mudansir lawan
Posted at 05:06h, 20 JulyI need more explanation on norm reference and criterion reference test
radha
Posted at 10:09h, 04 Augustgood information
marvin senobio
Posted at 22:39h, 07 Septemberthanks.
neha malhotra
Posted at 10:01h, 08 Septemberthanks it will help me but i some more information about their comparison anyways thanks
heather kelly
Posted at 09:20h, 02 Novemberthanks. this helped me a lot on my test
Imo Inyang
Posted at 02:43h, 17 NovemberThanks. I’ve been cleared
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Posted at 22:51h, 05 January[…] To me the most important concept for teachers and administrators alike is the distinction between norm-referenced and criterion-referenced testing that I have explained in a number of my publications. In terms of the important decisions that most […]
Pingback:Norm-referenced assessment is better than Criterion-referenced assessment | Psychology Diary
Posted at 10:59h, 13 May[…] […]
liz-d
Posted at 03:23h, 30 OctoberWhy?
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Posted at 08:32h, 17 January[…] (https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2008/05/22/norm-referenced-vs-criterion-referenced-language-tes… ) Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was posted in Uncategorized by materesaeds103. Bookmark the permalink. […]
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Posted at 10:30h, 17 January[…] 4) https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2008/05/22/norm-referenced-vs-criterion-referenced-language-tes… […]
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Posted at 12:49h, 17 January[…] Norm-referenced tests (or NRTs) compare an examinee’s performance to that of other examinees.( https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2008/05/22/norm-referenced-vs-criterion-referenced-language-tes…) […]
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Posted at 06:40h, 18 January[…] Danielle. (2008, May 22). norm-referenced vs. criterion-referenced testing. Retrieved January 16, 2013 from https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2008/05/22/norm-referenced-vs-criterion-referenced-language-tes… […]
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Posted at 06:21h, 18 March[…] [4] https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2008/05/22/norm-referenced-vs-criterion-referenced-language-tes… […]
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Posted at 00:05h, 07 August[…] Norm-Referenced vs. Criterion-Referenced Testing. Retrieved from https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2008/05/22/norm-referenced-vs-criterion-referenced-language-tes…. […]
mkhoba wejotsholo
Posted at 16:49h, 22 Februarythanks a lot for this information
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Posted at 05:48h, 15 September[…] https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2008/05/22/norm-referenced-vs-criterion-referenced-language-tes… […]
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Posted at 04:17h, 28 February[…] Criterion-referenced tests (or CRTs) differ in that each examinee’s performance is compared to a pre-defined set of criteria or a standard. The goal with these tests is to determine whether or not the candidate has the demonstrated mastery of a certain skill or set of skills. These results are usually “pass” or “fail” and are used in making decisions about job entry, certification, or licensure. A national board medical exam is an example of a CRT. Either the examinee has the skills to practice the profession, in which case he or she is licensed, or does not.” – Norm-referenced vs. Criterion-referenced Testing […]
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Posted at 13:17h, 26 June[…] Danielle. (2008 May 22). Norm-Referenced vs. Criterion-Reference Testing. Retrieved June 24, 2015, https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2008/05/22/norm-referenced-vs-criterion-referenced-language-tes… […]
Parisa
Posted at 02:50h, 16 DecemberI’m really thankful
Oscar
Posted at 16:36h, 16 MayGlad
suryansh soni
Posted at 08:40h, 22 Decembervery nice information , thanks a lot