FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a norm group in testing?

1. To identify students who need additional support

2. To establish performance standards for tests

3. To create individualized learning plans

4. To ensure every student passes the test

The correct answer is: To establish performance standards for tests

The purpose of a norm group in testing is fundamentally tied to establishing performance standards for tests. A norm group consists of a sample population that has been assessed to provide a comparative baseline for understanding and interpreting scores on a test. By analyzing the performance of this group, educators and test developers can determine what constitutes average, above-average, and below-average performance levels. This allows for the creation of percentile ranks and scores that help in assessing where an individual student stands relative to peers. For example, if a student scores in the 85th percentile, it indicates that they performed better than 85% of the students in the norm group. This context is critical to evaluating test results, as it guides educators in understanding a student's performance in relation to the broader population. Therefore, establishing performance standards is a key function of a norm group, as it equips educators with the necessary information to make informed decisions based on test data.