Norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests are types of evaluation strategies. Norm-referenced evaluation involves comparing a student's score to the average score of the entire group. Criterion-referenced evaluation assesses students based on pre-determined criteria or standards, rather than in comparison to other students. An example is given of a norm-referenced environmental pollution test where the average score of 30 out of 50 became the norm against which students were judged as above, below, or at average. Criterion-referenced evaluation for the same test could involve criteria like a pass mark of 40% or distinction at 80%.

1. Norm-Referenced and
Criterion referenced Tests
Norm-referenced and criterion referenced tests
are part of corresponding evaluation strategies
which also are termed as norm-referenced
evaluation and criterion-referenced evaluation.

2. Norm-Referenced Evaluation
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What is ‘norm’?
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Word ‘norm’ has two meanings – Rule OR Average
performance of the group.
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Here,the second meaning is useful.
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Norm-referenced tests/evaluation is employed when
score of one individual is compared with the scores
of the group.
●
Here,evaluation of students is done considering the
‘norm’ as a point of reference.

3. Example
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A group of students are tested for the awareness towards
environmental pollution through a written test.The test consists of
50 objective type questions of one mark each.There was no
negative marking.The full mark of the test obviously is 50.After the
conduction of the test,it is marked by the examiner.There are 150
students in the group.Marks of all the students are added and the
additive marks are divided by 150 to find the average performance
of the group..Suppose it is found to be 30,so 30 marks is the
average in which some score 49 out of 50 and some other achieve
very less,say 12 out of 50.The 30 mark, is the average mark or
norm of this group.

4. Criterion-Based evaluation
●
The type of evaluation in which the performance of
the testees are evaluated with reference to some
pre-determined criteria is called as criterion-
referenced evaluation.
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No weightage is given to ‘norm’ or average
performance of the group in this evaluation.
●
All decisions are taken with reference to criteria set
out in advance

5. ●
Now, the evaluation of all 150 students is
done considering this 30(the norm) as a
point of reference.All students who have got
marks above 30 are considered as above
average , those below 30 are considered as
below average and those scored 30 are
considered just average.
●
There is ‘no pass’ or ‘no fail’ in this type of
evaluation as there is no set marks for
passing the test..This is called norm-
referenced evaluation and the test is called
norm-referenced tests.

6. ●
In the preceding example,if some
criteria is set before the test wuth
reference to which the performance of
each student is evaluated, it become
criterion-referenced evaluation.
●
Suppose the following criteria are
finalized for this test: PASS MARKS:
40% & Distinction: 80%
●
Fails,prizes distribution etc are based
on the criteria mentioned above.

7. THANK YOU