Cutscore
Encyclopedia
A cutscore, also known as a passing score or passing point, is a single point on a score continuum
that differentiates between classifications along the continuum. The most common cutscore, that many are familiar with, is a score that differentiates between the classifications of "pass" and "fail" on a professional or educational test.
with a cutscore to be legally defensible and meet the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing
, the cutscore must be set with a formal standard-setting study
or equated
to another form of the test.
Continuum (theory)
Continuum theories or models explain variation as involving a gradual quantitative transition without abrupt changes or discontinuities. It can be contrasted with 'categorical' models which propose qualitatively different states.-In physics:...
that differentiates between classifications along the continuum. The most common cutscore, that many are familiar with, is a score that differentiates between the classifications of "pass" and "fail" on a professional or educational test.
Setting a cutscore
Many tests with low stakes set cutscores arbitrarily; for example, an elementary school teacher my require students to correctly answer 60% of the items on a test to pass. However, for a high-stakes testHigh-stakes testing
A high-stakes test is a test with important consequences for the test taker. Passing has important benefits, such as a high school diploma, a scholarship, or a license to practice a profession...
with a cutscore to be legally defensible and meet the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing
Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing
The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing is a set of testing standards developed jointly by the American Educational Research Association , American Psychological Association , and the National Council on Measurement in Education...
, the cutscore must be set with a formal standard-setting study
Standard-setting study
A standard-setting study is an official research study conducted by an organization that sponsors tests to determine a cutscore for the test. To be legally defensible in the USA and meet the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, a cutscore cannot be arbitrarily determined, it must...
or equated
Equating
Test equating traditionally refers to the statistical process of determining comparable scores on different forms of an exam. It can be accomplished using either classical test theory or item response theory....
to another form of the test.