What is the primary purpose of norm-referenced tests?

The primary purpose of norm-referenced tests is to compare a student's performance to that of their peers. These tests are designed to indicate how an individual student performs relative to a broader population, providing insights into where they stand within a group. This method allows educators and parents to understand not only individual achievement but also how that achievement fits into the larger context of classroom or national performance levels.

Norm-referenced tests typically result in a score that reflects the percentage of students who score lower than the test-taker. This allows for the identification of strengths and weaknesses in an educational context compared to that of peers. This information can be particularly valuable in understanding a student's relative performance on certain skills or concepts, which can guide instructional decisions and interventions.

Other options, while significant in educational assessment, do not capture the essence of norm-referenced testing. Assessing individual improvement focuses more on personal growth rather than comparison to peers, and comparing to specific standards relates to criterion-referenced tests, which measure performance against predetermined goals. Measuring progress over time is indicative of formative assessments and tracking a student's development, again not centered on peer comparison.