Answer:
as a reference group.
Step-by-step explanation:
A reference group can be defined as a social group that typically serves as a standard, reference point or point of reference for an individual in making decisions, choices or evaluation of their behavior. Thus, a reference group is used by an individual or group of people as a standard or point of reference to compare themselves with.
In this scenario, Shawn always asks his friends what grade they received on tests and uses this as a standard to understand how well he performed on the test. Therefore, Shawn is using his friends as a reference group.