In test results, what do scores and norms provide?

• A. A basis for comparing an individual's performance to a reference group.
• B. A qualitative narrative of client functioning.
• C. The instrument's theoretical background.
• D. Descriptive opinions of the clinician.

Answer: (A)

Scores and norms provide a basis for comparing an individual's performance to a reference group. In standardized testing, raw scores are translated into normed scores from a representative sample, letting you see how someone stacks up against peers of the same age or background—often through percentiles or standard scores. This context makes the score meaningful: it indicates whether performance is around average, unusually high, or unusually low. Without norms, a numeric score lacks interpretive value. While the test’s theoretical background or a clinician’s qualitative impressions are important in other ways, scores and norms specifically furnish the comparative context across a reference group.