Identify the type of test that has been administered. Aptitude tests are predictors of future academic success while intelligence (I.Q.) tests measure current achievement. State tests are mandatory tests that all public schools must administer as a result of state and federal legislation. Norm-referenced tests compare individual ability to others in the same testing population such as grade level. Criterion-referenced tests are based on established standards.
Master the vocabulary used in explaining test results. State mandated test results often use proficiency ratings -- such as "partially proficient," "proficient" and "advanced proficient" -- which are based on the number of questions answered correctly. To be proficient means to have achieved a certain competency score. A partial proficient score is below the competence score range, while an advanced proficient score is above the competence range. For example, the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge sets the proficient range as a score between 200 and 250. Below 200 is partially proficient and above 250 is advanced proficient.
Understand the difference between more than one set of scores. For example, norm-referenced tests provide a raw score and a percentile score. The raw score is based on the number of correct answers compared to the highest possible score. The percentile is the percent of students who scored lower than that student. For example, scoring in the 60th percentile means that the student's score is higher than 60 percent of all students who took the test.
Grade equivalent scores are used to assess grade competency. In some cases a second grader's reading equivalent score may be 4.2, indicating that the student is reading on a level equivalent to a fourth grader during the second month of the school year.
Inquire as to how the test will be used. Aptitude tests are typically used for admittance into advanced placement (AP) courses in high school. Intelligence tests are used for placement into gifted and talented programs. Norm-referenced tests are often used in schools that are not required to administer state-mandated tests. State-mandated test results may be used to place students into classes for low performing students requiring extra help or specific accommodations. Standardized test results are typically not used for grading, promotion or retention decisions.