Paychological Testing Ch. 6 - 7 Test Review

How many units do Sten scores divide the scale into?

10

If a student has a z-score of -1.5, what stanine would they have?

2

If a student has a z-score of -1, what would be their stanine?

3

What is the mean of stanines?

5

What is the mean of Sten scores?

5.5

What percentage of scores falls between −1 and +1 standard deviations in a normal curve?

68%

If an individual scores one standard deviation above the mean, what stanine would they typically have?

7

According to the text, what would happen if DMVs used norm-referenced testing instead, where people would pass if they received a score above -1 standard deviation?

A) Approximately 16% of individuals would consistently fail, even with scores above 70%.

In a normal curve, what percentage of scores falls between the mean and +1 standard deviation?

A) Approximately 34%

Which method is preferred for observing the shape of a distribution, such as a frequency distribution?

A) Histogram

What do measures of variability tell us in a distribution?

A) How scores deviate around the mean.

What is the primary difference between norm-referenced testing and criterion-referenced testing?

A) Norm-referenced testing compares to a norm group, while criterion-referenced testing involves predetermined criteria.

What is the primary purpose of converting raw scores into derived scores?

A) To make test scores easier to compare with others.

Mean

Arithmetic average of a set of scores

What does the term "normal curve" also refer to in the textbook?

B) A curve that represents a predictable pattern explained by natural laws.

Why is it common to focus on the first three standard deviations in standard deviation analysis?

B) Because they cover 99.5% of the population.

When is the mode less accurate as a measure of central tendency?

B) In smaller groups of scores.

What is the advantage of being able to choose any predetermined range for class intervals when constructing a frequency distribution?

B) It allows for more flexibility in data presentation.

How can a discrepancy between achievement test scores and aptitude test scores be valuable for a teacher?

B) It indicates a potential learning disability in the student.

If a z-score results in a fraction when converting to stanines, what should be done?

B) Round up to the nearest whole number

What term is used to describe a distribution of scores that do not fall into a symmetrical shape or a normal curve?

B) Skewed distribution

What does the term "stanine" stand for in the context of standard scoring systems?

B) Standard Nines

In the context of norm group comparisons, what does the 50th percentile indicate?

B) That an individual's score is exactly average within their norm group.

What does a horizontal line on a histogram represent?

B) The frequency of scores in a specific interval.

What is the primary reason that state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) use criterion-referenced testing for their written exams?

B) To ensure that only a small percentage of individuals pass the exam.

What is the purpose of standard error of measurement (SEM)?

B) To estimate how close an individual's obtained score is to their true score.

What is the primary purpose of developing a frequency distribution for test scores?

B) To identify the most frequent scores in a dataset.

What is the primary purpose of standard scores in the context of testing?

B) To make interpretation of test material easier for the examinee.

Histogram

Bar graph of class intervals and frequency of a set of scores

Normal curve

Bell-shaped distribution that human traits tend to fall along

In a test with a mean of 52 and a standard deviation of 20, where would about 68% of the scores fall?

Between 32 and 72

Quincunx

Board developed by Sir Francis Galton to demonstrate bell-shaped curve

How is the mean calculated?

By adding all the scores and dividing by the number of scores.

In criterion referencing, how is a test score typically categorized into grades or levels?

By setting predetermined value or criterion ranges.

How is the range calculated?

By subtracting the lowest score from the highest score and adding 1.

How is the interquartile range calculated?

By subtracting the score that is 1/4 of the way from the bottom from the score that is 3/4 of the way from the bottom and dividing by 2.

When there is an even number of scores in a data set, how is the median determined?

By taking the mean of the two middle scores.

Stanines are commonly used with which type of tests?

C) Achievement tests

What does the standard deviation measure?

C) How scores vary around the mean.

Why is it convenient for test measurements that most traits and abilities of people tend to approximate a bell-shaped distribution?

C) It helps in understanding measures of variability like standard deviation.

Which measure of central tendency is sensitive to extreme values and can be affected by a few extremely high or low scores?

C) Mean

In situations involving a skewed set of scores, which measure of central tendency is generally considered more accurate?

C) Median

When trying to understand "average" salaries in a community with a few individuals who make extremely large incomes, which measure of central tendency is more appropriate to use?

C) Median

Why do psychologists often prefer norm group comparisons over raw scores?

C) Norm group comparisons allow for a more in-depth understanding of an individual's responses.

What is the simplest measure of variability?

C) Range

What is one advantage of norm group comparisons mentioned in the paragraph?

C) They allow for a direct comparison of test results between different tests.

What do measures of central tendency, such as mean, median, and mode, tell us about a group of scores?

C) They provide information about the middle of the distribution.

What is the main reason many states have adopted criterion-referenced testing for students, as mentioned in the text?

C) To comply with federal mandates, such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation.

Why is it beneficial to convert a frequency distribution into a histogram or frequency polygon?

C) To create a visual representation that is easier to understand.

What are derived scores primarily used for?

C) To make further comparisons of an individual's score with their norm group.

When is the interquartile range most useful?

C) With skewed curves to provide a representative picture of where scores fall.

Which of the following is associated with norm-referenced testing?

Comparing each individual's test score to a norm group's average score.

Norm referencing

Comparison of individual test scores to average score of a group

Criterion referencing

Comparison of test scores to a predetermined standard

Derived score

Converted score based against a norm group

How are class intervals typically represented on a histogram?

D) Along the x-axis with a vertical line.

How does a frequency distribution help individuals understand their test scores?

D) By comparing individual scores to the group's average.

Why is understanding an individual's relative position in a group important when making judgments about their test score, as mentioned in the text?

D) It allows for comparisons with a norm group.

How can a cumulative distribution, or ogive curve, be helpful in analyzing test score data?

D) It conveys information about percentile rank.

Why might a school counselor be interested in comparing the self-esteem scores of fifth-graders to those of third-graders?

D) To understand how age and grade level influence self-esteem.

Standard scores

Derived score based on mean and standard deviation

Range

Difference between highest and lowest score plus 1

Class interval

Grouping scores by a predetermined range

Standard deviation

How scores vary from the mean

Frequency polygon

Line graph of class intervals and frequency of a set of scores

Cumulative distribution

Line graph to examine percentile rank of a set of scores

Frequency distribution

List of scores and number of times a score occurred

Positively skewed curve

Majority of scores at lower end

Negatively skewed curve

Majority of scores at upper end

What is the most commonly used measure of central tendency?

Mean

Interquartile range

Middle 50% of scores around the median

Mode

Most frequently occurring score

What are the two different ways of understanding test scores mentioned in the text?

Norm referencing and criterion referencing.

Percentiles

Percentage of people falling at or below a score

RULE NUMBER 1: Raw Scores Are Meaningless

Raw scores alone tell us little, if anything, about how a person has done on a test. We must take an individual's raw score and do something to it to give it meaning.

Median

Score where 50% fall above and 50% below

RULE NUMBER 2: "God Does Not Play Dice with the Universe." (Einstein Paraphrased*)

So perfect are the laws of nature that some see this as the creation of a perfect God who has set in motion the wheels of the universe. Whether or not you believe this is a God-inspired phenomenon, it has great implications for testing. Concepts such as the bell-shaped curve are crucial to our understanding of norm-referenced testing and allow us to compare individuals.

z-score

Standard score with mean of 0 and SD of 1

Deviation IQ

Standard score with mean of 100 and SD of 15

Stanines

Standard score with mean of 5 and SD of 2

Sten score

Standard score with mean of 5.5 and SD of 2

T-score

Standard score with mean of 50 and SD of 10

Skewed curve

Test scores not falling along a normal curve

What does the median represent in a data set?

The middle score with 50% above and 50% below.

What does a z-score of -1 represent on a normal curve?

The score is 1 standard deviation below the mean.

What is true of a normal curve when it is split in half?

There are the same number of scores in both halves of the curve.

If a person scored at the 99th percentile on a test, what does this indicate?

They scored higher than 99% of the individuals who took the test.

Raw score

Untreated score before manipulation or processing

How is the standard deviation calculated?

Using the formula (X - M) / N.

All Measures of central tendency:

mean, median, and mode

n a skewed distribution, the ______ is a better measure of central tendency

median

All Measures of variability:

range, interquartile range, and standard deviation.

Normal curve equivalent Standard score

with mean of 50 and SD of 21.06

RULE NUMBER 3: z-Scores are Golden*

z-Scores are great for helping us see where an individual's raw score falls on a normal curve and are helpful for converting a raw score to other kinds of derived scores. That is why we like to keep in mind that z-scores are golden and can often be used to help us understand the meaning of scores.

he most fundamental standard score is called a ___

z-score