Testing Statistics (Frequency Distribution)

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The intent of state testing is to determine a student’s skills and knowledge based on our state learning standards in English language arts, math, and science. The score on each test (see sample score reports) is a snapshot of a student’s performance. Overall academic performance, not just a student’s state testing scores, should always be taken into account.

OSPI is providing the following “frequency distribution” report because families have expressed an interest in knowing where their child’s scores fall in comparison with other students from around the state.

How to read the report:

  • The first column is the scale score, which are the numbers you see on a student score report (e.g., a student scored a 400 on the ELA test)
  • The second column is the frequency, or number of students, who obtained a specific score (e.g., 720 students finished with an ELA score of 366)
  • The third column represents the percent of students who obtained a specific score (e.g., 2.2 percent of students scored a 401 on the ELA test)
  • The fourth column represents the percentile ranking of where a student’s score fell overall (e.g., a student’s score of 463 on the ELA test placed the student at the 96.9 percentile when compared to all students who took that test)
  • The yellow highlighted lines represent the cut scores between Levels 1 and 2, 2 and 3 and 3 and 4 (e.g., a student’s score of 386 is a Level 2 score)

Frequency Distribution Report