Final answer:
An 85th percentile rank suggests that an individual scored better than 85 percent of the population in that metric, whether it is a test score or another measure such as wait time at the DMV. In the context of a test score, a higher percentile is favorable, indicating higher achievement, whereas, for wait times, a lower percentile is more desirable as it indicates a shorter wait.
Step-by-step explanation:
A percentile rank, such as an 85th percentile score, provides a measure of how a specific value compares with the rest of the data in a distribution. For example, if a student's score is at the 85th percentile in a test, this implies that the student scored higher than 85 percent of the other test-takers. Therefore, only 15 percent of the test-takers scored higher than the student being considered.
In the context of waiting at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), an 85th percentile wait time would indicate a longer wait time compared to most other people.
It signifies that 85 percent of people experienced shorter wait times, and only 15 percent had wait times equal to or exceeding that of the individual. In such a scenario, a higher percentile is undesirable as it represents a longer wait.
When analyzing test scores, percentiles are particularly valuable for large populations and allow for a relative comparison between individuals. For instance, in admissions processes, colleges might require an SAT score at or above a certain percentile, indicating a score higher than that of the majority of candidates.