What does a percentile score produced by norm-referenced tests indicate?

A percentile score from norm-referenced tests provides insight into how a student's performance relates to that of a broader group, known as the norming group. Specifically, a percentile score indicates the percentage of students in the norming group that scored lower than the student in question. For example, if a student is in the 80th percentile, this means that they performed better than 80% of the students in the norming group. This comparison is crucial because it helps educators understand a student's performance in the context of their peers, rather than in absolute terms or specific score values.

Understanding this metric allows educators to identify where a student stands relative to others, which can inform instructional decisions and interventions. The other options describe concepts that are not reflective of what a percentile score represents in this context.