Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

What type of score interpretation compares an individual's performance with an established external standard?

1. Norm referenced

2. Self referenced

3. Criterion referenced

4. Construct referenced

The correct answer is: Criterion referenced

Criterion-referenced score interpretation focuses on how an individual's performance compares to a predefined standard or criterion. This approach evaluates whether a person meets specific performance criteria, rather than comparing their results to those of others. For example, in educational settings, a student might be assessed based on whether they have achieved the necessary competencies or skill levels outlined in a curriculum. In this context, passing a test is determined by how well the student meets the benchmark, such as correctly answering a certain percentage of questions rather than how their score ranks compared to other test-takers. This method contrasts with other interpretations such as norm-referenced, which compares individual scores against the average performance of a group. In self-referenced interpretations, performance is compared to one's own past performances, while construct-referenced interpretations deal with how well an assessment measures the theoretical construct it is intended to assess. Thus, criterion-referenced score interpretation is distinct in its objective of evaluating against external standards.