What is the purpose of a criterion-referenced test?

The purpose of a criterion-referenced test is to evaluate a student's knowledge on specific information. This type of test is designed to determine whether a student has mastered particular skills or content standards, independent of how other students perform. The focus is on specific objectives or criteria, allowing educators to see whether individual students meet the predetermined standards of knowledge or skill.

In this context, the criterion-referenced test provides clear guidelines on what students are expected to learn, and performance is assessed based on their ability to demonstrate that knowledge or skill. For example, if a test assesses a student's understanding of a specific math concept, the results will indicate how well the student understands that concept, rather than comparing their performance to others.

This is distinct from tests that compare students to a norm group, assess overall academic ability, or measure emotional and social development, as those tests serve different purposes and use different methods of evaluation.