What is a limitation of normative data?

• A. They may become outdated or biased if the reference sample isn’t representative of current populations.
• B. They are always up-to-date and universally applicable.
• C. They require no standardization of testing procedures.
• D. They are not influenced by sample characteristics.

Answer: (A)

Normative data are reference benchmarks created from a specific group to interpret an individual’s test score by comparing it to that group's performance. A key limitation is that they may become outdated or biased if the reference sample isn’t representative of current populations. As demographics and contexts change—differences in culture, language, education, or socioeconomic factors—the way people perform on the test can shift, so old norms may not accurately reflect today’s test-takers. This drift can cause scores to be interpreted as higher or lower than they truly are for the current population. Because norms depend on who was included and how the test was administered, they need periodic updating and careful matching to the population being assessed.