In which type of testing are students assessed against others in their demographic group?

Norm-referenced tests are designed to assess a student's performance in comparison to that of a larger group usually defined by similar characteristics, such as age, gender, or socioeconomic status. This type of testing allows educators and practitioners to determine how an individual student's performance stacks up against peers, providing insights into their relative strengths and weaknesses.

The results of norm-referenced tests yield a normative score, typically using percentiles or z-scores, which indicates how a student performed in relation to the norming group. This comparison is essential for understanding a student's abilities in the context of their demographic population, making it a valuable tool for identifying areas where they may need support or assistance.

In contrast, criterion-referenced tests measure student performance against a defined set of criteria or standards, standardized tests may include both norm-referenced and criterion-referenced approaches but typically focus on a broad assessment that allows for comparison across different populations, and subjective tests are based on personal judgment or opinion, lacking the rigorous structure that characterizes norm-referenced assessments.