Procedures for Assessing the Statistical Significance of the Difference between an Individual's Scores on Two Standardized Tests

Abstract

The scores an individual obtains on standardized tests are frequently used for educational guidance. Often it is the differences between the scores which are important. This paper presents the general argument underlying the statistical evaluation of the significance of the difference between an individual's scores on a pair of standardized tests. Two simple methods of evaluating the statistical significance of such a difference are provided and certain cautions and restrictions on the use of these methods are given.