What is the primary purpose of Norm Referenced Tests (NRT)?

The primary purpose of Norm Referenced Tests (NRT) is to rank test takers, allowing educators to compare a student's performance to that of a larger group, often referred to as the "norm group." This type of assessment provides a percentile ranking, indicating how a student's score compares to others in the same age or grade level. NRTs are designed to show the relative standing of a student rather than whether they meet a specific criterion or standard. This ranking is useful for identifying students who may be above or below average, which can inform decisions about instructional strategies and interventions.

The focus on ranking differentiates NRTs from criterion-referenced tests, which aim to measure a student's performance against predetermined goals or standards. In contrast, emotional intelligence assessment pertains to various competencies in understanding personal and others' emotions, which falls outside the scope of NRTs. Lastly, the assessment of understanding a single standard does not align with the broader comparative purpose of NRTs.