A standardized test is designed to be administered and scored in a consistent way. The goal is to compare results using the same rules, timing, directions, scoring scale, or test design.
Where standardized tests are used
They may be used for school accountability, admissions, placement, certification, language proficiency, or measuring progress across a large group of students.
What they can and cannot show
Standardized tests can provide comparable data, but they do not show every part of learning. Projects, class work, rubrics, interviews, and portfolios may reveal skills that one test cannot fully measure.
A standardized test is one measurement tool, not the whole picture of a student.