How is an age equivalent score determined?

An age equivalent score is determined by looking at the student's actual age rather than their grade level. This score indicates the level of performance a student has achieved in comparison to typical age-related developmental milestones. It is calculated by examining the average performance of students within a specified age group on standardized assessments. This means that an age equivalent score represents the age at which a typical student would be expected to achieve the same level of performance, making it a useful tool for understanding where an individual student stands relative to their peers in terms of age milestones.

In contrast, determining scores based on grade level would not provide a clear indication of whether a student is meeting age-appropriate benchmarks. Similarly, using a student's IQ score could provide insight into their cognitive abilities but does not directly correlate with age-based achievement measures. Lastly, basing an age equivalent score on the school's curriculum would not yield an objective measure of a student's performance compared to age peers, as curricula can vary greatly between different schools and systems.