CRITERION-REFERENCED CUT SCORES What is a criterion-referenced cut score? The concept underlying the criterion-referenced cut score is to set the point on the test at which a test taker could be considered a “minimally competent candidate”, or one who is sufficiently competent for a beginning position in the chosen field. This was operationally defined as: What a candidate should 1) know and 2) be able to do on their very first day on the job in order to perform duties in a safe and effective manner. Who helped NOCTI set the criterion-referenced cut scores? For each assessment, a group of 10 to 15 subject matter experts (SMEs) were recruited and trained by a NOCTI facilitator to participate in the rating process. Each group was recruited from a variety of states across the country and included a mix of educators in the field and those practicing within the industry. In addition, each SME was required to have a minimum of 3 years of current work experience in either industry or education (or both). Should I use criterion-referenced cut scores? The criterion-referenced cut scores are provided on the standard score reports for applicable assessments. NOCTI considers the criterion-referenced cut score to be the NOCTI passing score. The NOCTI criterionreferenced cut score should not be used as an alternate for state or locally-determined benchmarks, but can be used in addition to those benchmarks for the purposes of earning the NOCTI Workforce Competency Credential. Where do I find the criterion-referenced cut score? Criterion-referenced cut scores are displayed on standard score reports, specifically on the Analysis of Scores report, for Job Ready and Pathway assessments. A criterion-referenced cut score will be displayed for both written and performance components, if appropriate. A list of the current criterion-referenced cut scores is provided on the following pages.
Do criterion-referenced cut scores change? When an assessment is revised, the criterion-referenced cut score is also revised. The cut score process begins once the test is released (September) and is generally completed by January. Until cut scores for new or revised tests are available, the following table will display TBD (To Be Determined).
November 2017
NOCTI Job Ready and Pathway National Criterion-Referenced Cut Scores
Test Title 21st Century Skills for Workplace Success Accounting - Advanced Accounting - Basic Administrative Assisting Administrative Services (Pathway) Advertising and Design Agricultural Biotechnology (Pathway) Agriculture Mechanics Animal Systems (Pathway) Apparel and Textile Production and Merchandising Architectural Drafting Audio-Visual Communications Automotive Technician - Advanced Automotive Technician - Core Banking and Related Services (Pathway) Biotechnology Broadcasting and Journalism (Pathway) Building Construction Occupations Building Trades Maintenance Business Financial Management (Pathway) Business Information Processing Cabinetmaking CAD CAD-CAM Career Skills Carpentry Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology NOCTI Criterion-Referenced Cut Scores
Test Title Collision Repair Commercial Foods Computer Networking Fundamentals Computer Programming Computer Repair Technology Computer Technology Construction (Pathway) Construction Masonry – Block Construction Masonry – Brick Cosmetology Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Advanced Culinary Arts Level 1 - Prep Cook Culinary Arts Level 2 - Cook Dental Assisting Design and Pre-Construction (Pathway) Diagnostic Services (Pathway) Diesel Technology Early Childhood Development and Services (Pathway) Early Childhood Education and Care - Advanced Early Childhood Education and Care - Basic Education and Training (Pathway) Electric Power and Distribution Electrical Construction Technology Electrical Occupations Electronics Electronics Technology Emergency and Fire Management Services (Pathway) Emergency Medical Services (Pathway) Family and Community Services (Pathway) NOCTI Criterion-Referenced Cut Scores
Test Title Fashion Merchandising Financial and Investment Planning (Pathway) Financial and Managerial Accounting Floriculture Floriculture - Greenhouse Forest Products and Processing Fundamentals of Construction General Management (Pathway) Graphic Production Technology Health Assisting Healthcare Core Health Informatics (Pathway) Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Repair Home Health Aide Horticulture - Landscaping Hospitality Management - Food and Beverage Hospitality Management - Lodging Human Resources Management (Pathway) HVAC HVAC-R HVAC-R Installation and Start-up HVAC-R Service and Repair Industrial Electricity Industrial Electronics Industrial Maintenance Mechanics Information Support and Services (Pathway) Interactive Media (Pathway) Interior Decorating and Design IT Exploration Legal Services (Pathway)
Test Title Lodging (Pathway) Logistics Technology/Distribution Center Services Maintenance Operations (Pathway) Manufacturing Technology Mechanical Drafting and Design Mechatronics Level I Medical Assisting Natural Resources Systems (Pathway) Network Systems (Pathway) Nursing Assisting Performing Arts (Pathway) Personal Care Services (Pathway) Plumbing Practical Nursing Pre-Engineering/Engineering Technology Precision Machining Production Agriculture Protective Services Recreation, Amusements, and Attractions (Pathway) Restaurant, Food, and Beverage Services (Pathway) Retail Commercial Baking Retail Merchandising Security and Protective Services (Pathway) Small Animal Science and Technology Small Engine Technology Technical Drafting Television Production Therapeutic Services (Pathway) Travel and Tourism (Pathway) Visual Arts (Pathway) NOCTI Criterion-Referenced Cut Scores
Visual Communications and Interactive Media Design Web Design Welding Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Workplace Readiness Workplace Success Skills for Middle School
