norm-referenced test
any assessment in which scores are interpreted by comparison with a norm, generally the average score obtained by members of a specified group. For example, a teacher might administer a norm-referenced reading test to the students in his or her classroom, with each person’s score indicating how well that test taker reads relative to other examinees of that age. Thus, if a student obtains a score of 70% but the standard test score (norm) for those of the same age is 90%, then the student has done relatively poorly. See also criterion-referenced test; domain-referenced test.