Terra Nova Test Scores | Understand Terra Nova Scores
TerraNova test results provide information about a student’s academic achievement and can show how the student’s performance compares with that of students in a national norm group.
TerraNova, Third Edition (TerraNova3) uses 2017 national norms. These norms allow schools to compare a student’s achievement with the performance of students represented in the national norming sample.
One of the most familiar scores parents may see is a National Percentile Rank (NPR). A percentile rank is a comparison score—it is not the percentage of questions the student answered correctly.
For example, a National Percentile Rank of 75 indicates that a student’s performance was as high as or higher than approximately 75% of students in the applicable national norm group.
Similarly, a score at the 50th percentile represents performance near the middle of the national norm group. It should not automatically be interpreted to mean that a student is “on grade level.” Grade-level performance and percentile rank describe different things.
Types of Scores You May See on TerraNova Reports
The scores can vary depending on the TerraNova assessment administered and the score report type the school selects. Parents may encounter measures such as the following:
Scale Score
A scale score places a student’s performance on a standardized score scale. Unlike a percentage-correct score, a scale score accounts for the assessment’s characteristics and can represent achievement on the test.
Because different reports and TerraNova assessments may provide different scoring information, parents should use the interpretive information accompanying their child’s score report rather than relying on a particular score range found online.
National Percentile Rank (NPR)
A National Percentile Rank indicates a student’s relative standing within the applicable national norm group.
For example, an NPR of 58 means the student’s performance was as high as or higher than approximately 58% of students in the comparison group.
A percentile rank should not be confused with percent correct. A student at the 80th percentile did not necessarily answer 80% of the questions correctly.
Percentile ranks also are not equal-interval scores. The difference between the 40th and 50th percentiles does not necessarily represent the same amount of achievement growth as the difference between the 80th and 90th percentiles.
Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE)
A Normal Curve Equivalent is another way of reporting a student’s performance relative to a norm group.
NCE scores are designed as an equal-interval scale, which makes them more appropriate than percentile ranks for certain statistical comparisons. The midpoint of the NCE scale is 50.
Although an NCE of 50 and a percentile rank of 50 both represent the center of the distribution, NCE scores and percentile ranks should not be interpreted as interchangeable throughout their scales.
Objective or Skill Performance Information
Depending on the score report, schools may receive information showing how a student performed in particular objectives, skills, or content areas.
This information can help educators identify relative strengths and skills that may need additional instruction or practice. Because available reports can vary, parents should refer to the definitions provided with their child’s individual TerraNova report.
How Should Parents Interpret TerraNova Test Scores?
Avoid focusing on a single number. A TerraNova score report may offer several ways to view a student’s performance.
When reviewing your child’s results, consider:
- Overall achievement
- National percentile ranks
- Performance by subject or skill area
- Areas of relative strength
- Areas that may need additional support
- Changes in performance over time, when comparable scores are available
If you are unsure what a particular score means, ask your child’s teacher or testing administrator to explain which TerraNova assessment was administered, which norms were used, and how the school interprets each score on the report.
TerraNova results can provide valuable information about academic achievement, but they represent one measure of a child’s performance. Scores are most useful when considered together with classroom work, teacher observations, other assessments, and the student’s overall academic progress.
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9 Responses
Our 2nd grader scored in 99th percentile in Reading and Science and 95th percentile in Math. On the next page of the report it showed national average norm reference and his csi score of 119, but we don’t see that it broke each of those norm references down individually for him, specifically. Is this something we can ask the school for?
I have no idea how to read my scores and I need to know if I will be in the advanced class in middle school! I really need help! I can’t even understand my score paper!
I will need more information about Terra Nova Testing for 7the grade
Under Norm-Referenced Scores the “Local Percentile/Stanine” are included on the report. What does “Local” specifically refer to? The school, city, state, etc…???
I would like more information on the Terra Nova testing for 2nd grade.
What does a 4.7 grade mean for a 4th grader?
How do I access the 100 free test questions?