Criterion-referenced tests are defined as

• A. May or may not be standardized and compare student scores to a predetermined set of criteria for acceptable performance
• B. Always standardized and compare scores to peer norms
• C. Used to randomly sample knowledge from a domain
• D. Designed to measure aptitude rather than achievement

Answer: (A)

Criterion-referenced tests determine whether a student has mastered specific skills or knowledge by comparing performance to predefined criteria of acceptable performance. The key point is meeting a fixed standard, not how you rank against others. Whether a test is standardized or not is not the defining feature—the important idea is the explicit criteria you must meet.

This matches the idea that the test may or may not be standardized and is scored against a predetermined set of criteria. An example is a driving test or a classroom mastery check where you must demonstrate certain skills to pass.

Other descriptions don’t fit because norm-referenced tests compare performance to peers rather than to fixed standards, aptitude tests assess potential rather than demonstrated achievement, and some approaches describe sampling knowledge rather than basing results on established criteria for mastery.