A young man was not made a police officer because his height was less than the prescribed height. Which of the following method was used?

When we measure one’s relative position in a well defined known group, we usually use the norm-referenced test. A norm-referenced test is also a type of standardized test. The procedure followed for developing a standardized test is also followed for developing a norm-referenced test.

Key PointsJust takes an example, A young man was not made a police officer because his height was less than the prescribed height. We compare his performance with others performance in that group.

• According to Nayak and Rath (2010), the various procedures adopted for norm-referenced evaluation are as follows:
• When marks are evaluated with reference to average, it is norm-referenced evaluation because the average is based upon the obtained scores. If it is to be used, as a measure of variability which shows the scatter of the scores, should be taken into account.
• Standing in terms of grades may serve the purpose. But, sometimes, scores are converted into grades, such as A, B, C, D & E, etc. is not precise because grades cannot be added or averaged.
• Standing or a rank may be expressed by percentile norms. It is more precise than a grade report and comparable in precision with a rank report. 

Thus it is clear that the method was used is norm-referenced evaluation.

Additional Information

• The diagnostic test refers to the test which helps the teachers to know the learning problems or gaps in the learner's understanding and identify the learner's strengths, weaknesses, skills, etc. 
• Formative Evaluation is conducted more than once during the teaching-learning process to improve and enhance learning.