What does a percentile rank indicate in standardized testing?

• A. A numerical score achieved
• B. The percentage of test-takers scoring above a certain score
• C. The percentage of test-takers who scored below a particular score
• D. The average score of all test-takers

Answer: (C)

A percentile rank in standardized testing is a measure that indicates the relative standing of a test-taker compared to others. Specifically, it represents the percentage of test-takers who scored below a particular score. For example, if a student has a percentile rank of 70, this means they scored better than 70 percent of the students who took the same test. This measure helps to contextualize a student’s performance within a broader population, highlighting how they compare to their peers rather than just providing a raw score.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe what a percentile rank conveys. A numerical score achieved refers to the raw score itself; knowing the exact score does not provide information about a student’s standing relative to others. The percentage of test-takers scoring above a certain score is related to understanding a different aspect of scores but does not convey the percentile rank directly. Similarly, the average score of all test-takers would provide information about the overall performance of the group, rather than the individual comparison that percentile ranks offer. Thus, option C correctly captures the essence of what a percentile rank signifies in standardized testing.