A standardized test is any test where all test takers answer the same questions in a consistent manner that is scored uniformly. There are two main types - norm-referenced tests compare performance to others, while criterion-referenced tests assess performance against a set of objectives. Standardized tests can measure achievement, aptitude, or be used for college admissions. Scores are reported using raw scores, percentiles, or stanines.

2. What is a standardized test?
 any form of test that requires all test
takers to answer the same questions, or a
selection of questions from common bank
of questions
 scored in a “standard” or consistent
manner

3. What is a standardized test?
 primarily associated with large-scale
tests administered to sizeable
populations of students, such as a
multiple-choice test
 include true-false questions, short-
answer questions, essay questions, or a
mix of question types

4. Two types of standardized test
 Norm-referenced tests compare an
individual's performance with the
performance of others.
 Criterion-referenced tests compare a
person's performance to a set of
objectives. Anyone who meets the
criterion can get a high score.

5. Advantages
 A ready-made test
 Administration to large groups can be
accomplished
 Scoring procedures are streamlined
 Assessment of an individual's mastery
of a domain of knowledge or skill

6. Disadvantages
 Inappropriate use of test
(using an overall proficiency test as an
achievement test)
 Teachers only “teach the tests”
 Misconception that students and kids
with learning disabilities perform poorly
in standardized tests

7. Forms of Standardized Test
 Achievement Tests designed to
measure the knowledge and skills
students learned in school or to
determine the academic progress they
have made over a period of time.
 Aptitude tests attempt to predict a
student’s ability to succeed in an
intellectual or physical endeavor.

8. Forms of Standardized Test
 College-admissions tests are used in
the process of deciding which students
will be admitted to a collegiate program.
 Psychological tests, including IQ tests,
are used to measure a person’s
cognitive abilities and mental, emotional,
developmental, and social
characteristics.

9. Interpreting test scores
 Raw Score – number of items a
students answer correctly
 Percentile rank – percentage of students
in the same age or grade level
 Stanine (standard nine) – range from a
low of 1 to a high of 9

11. References
 http://www.slideshare.net/kheangsokheng52/chapter-
4-standardized-testing
 http://www.slideshare.net/grove1em/high-stakes-
standardized-testing
 http://edglossary.org/standardized-test/
 http://www.slideshare.net/altheapenn/standardized-
testing-23700853
 http://worklife.columbia.edu/files_worklife/public/Pros
_and_Cons_of_Standardized_Testing_1.pdf