Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

What is a common characteristic of criterion-referenced assessments?

1. They measure performance against a standard

2. They compare students to each other

3. They are designed to predict future performance

4. They assess innate abilities

The correct answer is: They measure performance against a standard

Criterion-referenced assessments are specifically designed to measure an individual's performance against a predetermined standard or set of criteria. This means that the focus is on whether the student has achieved specific learning outcomes or mastery of particular skills, rather than how they perform in relation to their peers. The emphasis on meeting explicit benchmarks makes criterion-referenced assessments particularly useful in educational settings where clear expectations are established—such as in standardized tests, exit exams, or competence-based evaluations. These assessments help educators gauge whether each student has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills required for a particular level of education or profession, thereby providing targeted feedback and insights for further instruction. In contrast, the other options pertain to different types of assessments. Comparing students to each other aligns with norm-referenced assessments, while predicting future performance usually involves assessments designed with longitudinal metrics in mind. Assessing innate abilities often references intelligence or aptitude tests, which do not focus on meeting specific learning objectives.