What are the differences between a normed (normative) assessment and one that is ipsative and which is preferable?
Normative is a type of scoring produced by testing a large population and generating a normal bell curve distribution of the results. The distribution is then divided into standard tenths creating a quantified, normal scale with which to measure and compare individuals. (This type of scoring is typical of many of our assessments.) Normative assessments are typically validated for both pre- and post-employment use and are extremely helpful in predicting future performance. Ipsative literally means “of the self” and it is a type of scoring generated by forced choice items (e.g., select the word which MOST describes you and the word which LEAST describes you …). “Assessments” developed using such (scoring) instruments (such as the Myers-Briggs, DISC, etc.) are “innocent of any psychological meaning.” (Kline 1993). Ipsative assessments have the added burden of not containing distortion scales; and, as a consequence, should never be used in the hiring or selection process. In many cases the
