Standard Scores

In particular, a score can be interpreted more meaningfully if we know the mean and variabilityof the
other scores where that single score belongs. Knowing this, a raw score can be converted into standard
scores.
 Z-score. There are many kinds of standard scores. The most useful is the z-score, which is often used
to express a raw score in relation to the mean and standard deviation. This relationship is expressed
in the following formula:
x−x
z=
S
Recall that x – x is a deviation score. With this difference, we are able to know whether your test
score, say, x is above or below the average score. However, you cannot say whether your test score or grade
is better or worse than the average score. Again, the importance of knowing the standard deviation is
highlighted here.
The standard deviation helps you locate the relative position of the score in a distribution.
The equation above gives you the z-score, which can indicate the number of standard deviations the
score is above or below the mean. A z-score is called a standard score, simply because it is a deviation
score expressed in standard deviation units.
 T-score. A z-score may also be a repeating, or non-repeating decimal, which may not be comfortable
for others. One option is to convert a z-score into a T-score, which is a transformed standard
score. To do this, there is scaling in which a mean of 0 in a z-score is transformed into a mean of 50,
and the standard deviation in z-score is multiplied by 10. The corresponding equation is:
T-score = 50 +10z
For example, a z-score of -2 is equivalent to a T-score of 30. That is:
T-score = 50 + 10(-2)
= 50 – 20
= 30
 Stanine Scores. Another standard score is stanine, shortened from standard nine. With nine in its
name, the scores are on a nine-point scale.
In a z-score distribution, the mean is 0, and the standard deviation is 1. In this scale, the mean is 5,
and the standard deviation is 1. In this scale, the mean is 5, and the standard deviation is 2. Each stanine is
one-half standard deviation-wide. Like the T-score, stanine score can be calculated from the z-score by
multiplying the z-score by 2 and adding 5. That is,
Stanine = 2z + 5