What does norm-referenced assessment primarily compare?

Norm-referenced assessment primarily involves comparing a student's performance to a normative sample of peers. This approach allows educators and evaluators to determine how a student's performance stacks up against that of a representative group, which is typically made up of individuals who are similar in age, grade level, or other characteristics. By using this comparative method, norm-referenced assessments can yield insights about where a student falls within the distribution of scores, such as percentile ranks, which can inform decisions about educational placement or support.

In essence, the focus is on relative performance rather than absolute achievement. This type of assessment is useful in identifying students who might be performing above or below the average level of their peers, allowing for targeted interventions or further enrichment as needed.