What does the term "norm-referenced" mean in the context of psychological tests?

The term "norm-referenced" in the context of psychological tests refers to a method of scoring where an individual's performance is compared to the scores from a relevant sample population. This approach provides a framework for interpreting the results within a broader context, rather than in isolation.

In norm-referenced testing, a participant's score is evaluated against a standard, established by the average scores of a norm group. This allows for a clear understanding of how an individual’s performance aligns with that of their peers. For example, if a test is norm-referenced, a score that is above the mean of the norm group suggests that the individual has performed better than most others in that sample.

Other options may have their own specific functions or implications, but they do not encapsulate the essence of what "norm-referenced" signifies in psychological assessments. Some may only pertain to individual performance or specific test attributes, but they miss the critical component of comparison to a larger statistical sample, which is foundational to the norm-referenced approach. This comparison allows practitioners to derive meaningful conclusions about an individual's abilities and traits, relative to a defined population.