What is indicated by a norm-referenced score?

A norm-referenced score is designed to assess an individual's performance in relation to a specific group, often referred to as the norm group. This type of scoring allows evaluators to understand an individual's standing compared to others, highlighting whether the individual performs above, at, or below the average level of the group. This method is commonly used in educational settings, standardized testing, and various assessments where the goal is to measure relative performance rather than an absolute level of achievement.

In contrast, scores compared to a specific standard measure performance against set criteria, while perfect performance indicates flawless execution, which is not the focus of norm-referenced scores. Absolute measurements provide fixed evaluations but do not account for the performance of peers, unlike norm-referenced scores that contextualize individual achievement within a broader framework.