A norm-referenced test measures a candidate's mark against what other people are achieving in the same test.

Woman taking a test in a classroom

It can be compared with a criterion-referenced test, which measures a candidate's mark against a series of criteria and produces a description of level based on those criteria. Norm-based tests are useful for indicating the level of an individual learner in comparison with others.

Example
The SAT test in the United States is a norm-referenced test.

See also:
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/achievement-test
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/criterion-referenced-test
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/diagnostic-test
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/objective-test
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/proficiency-test
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/subjective-test

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