What does a grade equivalency score indicate?

A grade equivalency score provides a way to understand a student's performance in relation to their peers within a norming group. This score is typically expressed in terms of grade levels (for example, a score of 5.0 would indicate performance aligned with a fifth grader). It allows educators to ascertain if a student is performing at, above, or below the level of their expected grade based on standardized testing. The score is derived from the average performance of students at various grade levels, enabling comparisons across the spectrum of academic achievement.

In contrast, other options do not accurately capture the role of grade equivalency scores. The highest score on a norm-referenced test refers to a numeric value representing the best possible performance, not a comparative performance indicator. IQ levels relate more to cognitive ability than academic performance in specific subject areas, and while the difference between grade levels of students may inform an educator about gaps in performance, it does not directly convey where a student stands within a norming group in the way that grade equivalency scores do.