FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

If a student scored at the 80th percentile on a standardized reading achievement test, what does this indicate?

1. The student needs additional support

2. The student is in the top 20% of the norm group

3. The student has mastered reading skills

4. The student has average reading skills

The correct answer is: The student is in the top 20% of the norm group

When a student scores at the 80th percentile on a standardized reading achievement test, it indicates that the student performed better than 80% of the students in the norm group who took the same test. This percentile ranking means the student is in the top 20% of that group, signifying a strong performance compared to their peers. This score does not directly imply that the student has mastered all reading skills, as mastery is not solely determined by a percentile rank; there may still be specific areas for improvement. Additionally, performing at this level does not mean the student needs additional support, as a score in the 80th percentile generally suggests the student is doing well academically, contrary to what may be indicated by needing extra help. Finally, a score in the 80th percentile indicates above-average performance, rather than merely average reading skills.