What type of test evaluates a student's performance against a set standard?

A criterion-referenced test evaluates a student's performance against a predefined set of standards or learning objectives. This type of assessment identifies whether each student has successfully met specific criteria, rather than comparing their performance to that of other students. It is often used in educational settings to measure mastery of material or skills, ensuring that all students understand the required content, regardless of how their peers perform.

For instance, in a criterion-referenced test, if the standard is that students must answer at least 75% of the questions correctly to demonstrate proficiency, then the focus is solely on whether each student meets that benchmark. This approach helps educators understand individual student achievement and areas needing improvement, rather than simply ranking students against each other.