A raw score is the unadjusted, original score obtained by a student or test-taker on an assessment, such as a standardized test or an educational evaluation. It represents the number or quantity of correct or earned points or items without any modification, scaling, or adjustment.
Key points about raw scores include:
- Direct Measurement: Raw scores directly reflect the student's performance on the assessment without any statistical manipulation.
- Scoring Systems: The format of raw scores can vary depending on the assessment. For example, on a multiple-choice test, the raw score might be the number of correct answers, while on an essay exam, it could be the total points awarded by the grader.
- Basis for Further Analysis: Raw scores serve as the foundation for various subsequent analyses, including the calculation of scaled scores, percentiles, and other derived measures that provide more meaningful interpretations of a test-taker's performance.
- Transparency: Raw scores are often easy to understand and interpret, making them accessible to educators, students, and parents.
- Normalization: In some cases, raw scores may undergo a process of normalization or equating to account for variations in test difficulty between different versions of an assessment.
While raw scores provide valuable information about a student's performance, they are typically used in conjunction with scaled scores, percentiles, and other metrics to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how an individual or group performed relative to established standards.
