Question

When results from a scholastic assessment test are sent to test-takers, the percentiles associated with their scores are also given. Suppose a test-taker scored at the 94th percentile for their verbal grade and at the 16th percentile for their quantitative grade. Interpret these results.

A. This student performed better than 6% of the other test-takers in the verbal part and better than 16% in the quantitative part.
B. This student performed better than 94% of the other test-takers in the verbal part and better than 84% in the quantitative part.
C. This student performed better than 6% of the other test-takers in the verbal part and better than 84% in the quantitative part.
D. This student performed better than 94% of the other test-takers in the verbal part and better than 16% in the quantitative part.

Answer 1

The correct option is (D).

Explanation:

Percentiles are statistical measures that are used to interpret data. It represents the data value which is more that a specific percentage of the data set.

The nth percentile of a data set is the value that is more that n% of the data set.

⇒ It is provided that a test-taker's score was at the 94th percentile for their verbal grade.

This statement implies that the test taker scored a mark more than 94% of the other test-takers, i.e. he\she performed better than 94% of the other test-takers in the verbal grade.

⇒ Also the test-taker's score was at the 16th percentile for their quantitative grade.

This implies that the test taker scored a mark more than 16% of the other test-takers, i.e. he\she performed better than 16% of the other test-takers in the quantitative grade.

Thus, the correct option is (D).