What is a criterion-referenced assessment?

A criterion-referenced assessment measures student performance against a fixed set of criteria or learning standards. This means that the assessment is designed to evaluate whether students have learned a specific set of knowledge or skills. For example, if a mathematics test is based on the state learning standards, it will assess whether students can demonstrate the knowledge and abilities outlined in those standards, regardless of how other students perform.

This type of assessment is particularly useful for determining whether individual students have met the expected learning objectives and can help educators identify areas where a student may need additional support or improvement. Unlike norm-referenced assessments, which compare student performance to that of their peers, criterion-referenced assessments focus solely on the individual’s ability to demonstrate mastery of the defined criteria.