Which examination is cited as an example of a criterion-referenced test?

• A. TOEFL exam
• B. IELTS
• C. GRE
• D. SAT

Answer: (A)

Criterion-referenced testing measures whether you have achieved specific, predefined standards in a domain, rather than comparing you to other test-takers. The TOEFL exam fits this approach because it assesses four targeted English-language abilities—reading, listening, speaking, and writing—against explicit performance criteria and uses fixed cut scores to indicate whether you meet the required level of academic English proficiency. This means your score reflects mastery of the defined standards, not your rank relative to others. In contrast, GRE, SAT, and similar tests are typically interpreted in a norm-referenced way, emphasizing how your performance stacks up against a reference group rather than whether you have reached a particular standard.