Criterion-referenced test
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A '''criterion-referenced test''' is one that provides for translating [[Test (student assessment)|test]] scores into a statement about the [[behavior]] to be expected of a person with that score or their relationship to a specified subject matter. Most tests and quizzes written by school teachers are criterion-referenced tests. The objective is simply to see whether or not the student has learned the material. By contrast, with a [[norm-referenced test]], the translated score tells whether the test-taker did better or worse than other people who took the test. [[Robert Glaser]] originally coined both terms.<ref>Glaser, R. (1963). Instructional technology and the measurement of learning outcomes. ''American Psychologist, 18'', 510-522.</ref>
For example, if the criterion is "Students should be able to correctly add two single-digit numbers," then reasonable test questions might look like "<math>2+3 = ?</math>" or "<math>9+5 = ?</math>" A criterion-referenced test would report the student's performance strictly according to whether or not the individual student correctly answered these questions. A norm-referenced test would report primarily whether this student correctly answered more questions compared to other students in the group.
Even when testing similar topics, a test which is designed to accurately assess mastery may use different questions than one which is intended to show relative [[ranking]]. This is because some questions are better at reflecting actual achievement of students, and some test questions are better at differentiating between the best students and the worst students. (Many questions will do both.) A criterion-referenced test will use questions which were correctly answered by students who know the specific material. A norm-referenced test will use questions which were correctly answered by the "best" students and not correctly answered by the "worst" students.
Some tests can provide useful information about both actual achievement and relative ranking. The [[ACT (examination)|ACT]] provides both a ranking, and indication of what level is considered necessary to likely success in college.<ref>Cronbach, L. J. (1970). ''Essentials of psychological testing'' (3rd ed.). New York: Harper & Row.</ref> Some argue that the term "criterion-referenced test" is a misnomer, since it can refer to the ''interpretation'' of the score as well as the test itself.<ref>Haertel, E. (1985). Construct validity and criterion-referenced testing. ''Review of Educational Research, 55''(1), 23-46.</ref> In the previous example, the same score on the ACT can be interpreted in a norm-referenced or criterion-referenced manner.
Criterion-referenced testing was a major focus of psychometric research in the 1970s.<ref>Weiss, D.J. and Davison, M.L. (1981). Test Theory and Methods. ''Annual Review of Psychology, 32'',1.</ref>
==Definition of ''criterion''==
A common misunderstanding regarding the term is the meaning of ''criterion''. Many, if not most, criterion-referenced tests involve a cutscore, where the examinee passes if their score exceeds the cutscore and fails if it does not (often called a mastery test). The ''criterion'' is not the cutscore; the criterion is the domain of subject matter that the test is designed to assess. For example, the criterion may be "Students should be able to correctly add two single-digit numbers," and the cutscore may be that students should correctly answer a minimum of 80% of the questions to pass.
The criterion-referenced interpretation of a test score identifies the relationship to the subject matter. In the case of a mastery test, this does mean identifying whether the examinee has "mastered" a specified level of the subject matter by comparing their score to the cutscore. However, not all criterion-referenced tests have a cutscore, and the score can simply refer to a person's standing on the subject domain. <ref>[http://www.questionmark.com/us/glossary.htm] QuestionMark Glossary</ref> Again, the ACT is an example of this; there is no cutscore, it simply is an assessment of the student's knowledge of high-school level subject matter.
Because of this common misunderstanding, criterion-referenced tests have also been called [[standards-based assessment]]s by some education agencies,<ref>[http://www.apapdc.edu.au/archive/ASPA/conference2000/papers/art_3_9.htm Assessing the Assessment of Outcomes Based Education] by Dr Malcolm Venter. Cape Town, South Africa. "OBE advocates a criterion-based system, which means getting rid of the bell curve, phasing out grade point averages and comparative grading".</ref> as students are assessed with regards to standards that define what they "should" know, as defined by the state.<ref>[http://www.home-school.com/exclusive/standards.html Homeschool World]: "The Education Standards Movement Spells Trouble for Private and Home Schools"</ref>
==Relationship to high-stakes testing==
Many criterion-referenced tests are also [[high-stakes test]]s, where the results of the test have important implications for the individual examinee. Examples of this include [[high school graduation examination]]s and licensure testing where the test must be passed to work in a profession, such as to become a physician or attorney. However, being a high-stakes test is not specifically a feature of a criterion-referenced test. It is instead a feature of how an educational or government agency chooses to use the results of the test.
==See also==
* [[Assessment]]
* [[Evaluation]]
* [[Psychometrics]]
* [[Standardized test]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.citrus.kcusd.com/instruction.htm A webpage] about instruction that discusses assessment
[[Category:Educational psychology]]
[[Category:Psychometrics]]
[[Category:Standardized tests]]
[[Category:Education reform]]