In norm-referenced assessment, the word norm refers to?

In norm-referenced assessment, the term "norm" specifically denotes the group of individuals who took the assessment, serving as a benchmark for comparison for the scores of others. This approach involves evaluating an individual's performance against the performances of a defined group, often referred to as the norming group or reference group. The purpose of using a norm is to determine how well a person performs in relation to others, making it a critical component in the interpretation of assessment results.

This contextual understanding emphasizes the role of the norming group in establishing expectations and standards for performance, as well as identifying how an individual scores relative to that established group. Thus, when interpreting test scores in norm-referenced assessments, it's essential to recognize that the derived norms are representative of that particular group, ensuring that the comparison is meaningful and contextually relevant.