What does a score in the 65th percentile indicate for a student's expressive language ability?

A score in the 65th percentile indicates that the student performed as well as or better than 65% of the individuals in the normative sample. This means that amongst all test-takers, 65% scored lower than this student, while only 35% scored higher. This percentage provides valuable insight into the student’s expressive language ability relative to peers, demonstrating that her performance is above average compared to the standard reference group.

Understanding percentile ranks is essential when interpreting test scores, as they give a clear picture of where an individual stands in comparison to others rather than just reflecting the number of correct answers. Thus, a score indicating performance relative to a broader group enhances our understanding of the student's abilities in a statistical context.