A test which compares test takers to each other rather than against external criteria is called what?

• A. Norm-referenced test
• B. Criterion-referenced test
• C. Diagnostic test
• D. Proficiency test

Answer: (A)

This question is about how test results are interpreted—whether they’re used to see how a person stacks up against peers or against predefined standards. A norm-referenced approach compares each test taker to a reference group, producing rankings or relative standing. The test is designed so scores form a distribution, and you can read them as percentiles, standard scores, or z-scores to see where someone sits relative to others in the same group. This is common in admissions testing or any setting where comparing individuals is the goal.

In contrast, criterion-referenced interpretation asks whether a person has mastered specific skills or criteria, regardless of how others perform. The focus is on meeting predefined standards, not on ranking. Diagnostic tests specify exactly which skills need work, and proficiency-type assessments gauge ability to perform within a domain against a threshold of competence.

So, because the key idea here is comparing test takers to each other rather than to external criteria, the norm-referenced interpretation is the best fit.