Assessment where comparison of student performance with another student is made with

Norm referenced testing ranks a learner by comparing scores to a representative group called a norm sample. Results show percentile ranks or stanines rather than mastery of specific standards. Such tests help placement selection and system monitoring. However they may not inform daily teaching because they do not pinpoint skills. Criterion referenced tests instead report mastery against defined benchmarks. Balanced assessment uses both types wisely. For classroom improvement teachers prefer criterion tasks aligned to curriculum while districts may use norm data to monitor equity and resource allocation across schools and regions.