Criterion-referenced assessments are designed to indicate what?

Criterion-referenced assessments are specifically designed to evaluate how well a student has mastered specific educational objectives or standards. This type of assessment focuses on measuring a student's performance against predetermined criteria or learning goals, rather than comparing that performance to the performance of other students.

By assessing mastery of specific skills or knowledge areas, criterion-referenced assessments provide insight into whether a student has achieved the learning outcomes necessary for progression in a subject. This can help educators to identify areas where students excel or where they may need additional support.

In contrast, options involving comparison to other students or performance averages do not accurately reflect the purpose of criterion-referenced assessments, which are centered on individual achievement relative to the defined objectives rather than to a comparative norm.