Scaled Scores

Scaled scores provide a useful measuring tool for assessment programs and are particularly useful in providing a basis for long-term comparisons of examination results.

What Are Scaled Scores?

Scaled scores are transformed raw scores that use a numerical procedure that involves the overall test mean, the standard deviation and the original raw score. For every possible raw score on a test form, there is a corresponding scaled score. When multiple forms of a test are used, or when results are compared from year to year, scaled scores are needed to adjust for possible differences in test forms.

Why Eliminate Raw Scores?

Scaled scores are intended to make scores more meaningful by defining a scale of measurement that is not tied to a particular form of a test. Scaled scores help resolve confusion among users of the score reports when there are changes in the testing program.

A major benefit of scaled scores for test takers is that it provides a way for them to compare their level of performance from one administration of the exam to another. A reporting scale that remains constant across test forms enables candidates to make comparisons on how they did.

ACF Scaled Score

Assessment programs use different types of scaled scores. ACF, upon the advice of Comira, our CBT partner, uses a scaled score between 200–400 with 300 being the passing score.