Norms

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Norms AleAssessment

A performance standard that is established by a reference group and that describes average or typical performance. Usually norms are determined by testing a representative group and then calculating the group's test performance.

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Norms reflect performance for a very specific testing population (e.g., sixth graders in Massachusetts, or Oklahoma, or wherever). If an individual took a test and was told he or she was in the 20th percentile, that means that the individual scored as well or better that 20% of people in the norm group. His or her performance was 'average' or 'typical' for the 20th percentile (but not great, probably, compared to someone in the 90th percentile). 2/7/2005, April L. Zenisky.

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