What type of assessment compares a student's score to that of their peers?

Norm Referenced Assessment is designed to compare a student's performance to that of a larger group, typically their peers. This method uses a normal distribution curve to evaluate the scores, determining how a particular student stands in relation to the average performance of others in the same age group or educational level. Such assessments provide insights into how a student is performing compared to others, allowing educators to identify areas of strength and weakness within a broader context.

In contrast, formative assessments focus on ongoing feedback during the learning process, often used during instruction to enhance learning, rather than comparing scores with peers. Summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing student performance against a predefined standard or benchmark, rather than peer performance. Diagnostic assessments are used to identify students' existing knowledge and skills before instruction begins, helping to tailor teaching strategies, but they do not compare students to their peers.