What are Grade-Level Equivalent Scores?
Grade-level equivalent scores are determined by giving a test that is developed for a particular grade to students in other grades. For instance, test designers establish grade-equivalents for a 4th grade test by giving that same test to students who are in the 6th and the 2nd grades. Grade-level equivalent scores are often misunderstood. If a 4th grader received a 7th grade equivalent score on a 4th grade reading achievement test, you might believe the child is ready for 7th grade material. Actually, the score means that the child reads 4th grade material as well as the average 7th grader.
