PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSESSMENT EXAM:
NORM-REFERENCED & CRITERION-REFERENCED TESTS
(WEEKS 4-6)
1. According to the provided text, at what age can you typically start using
Manual Muscle Tests (MMTs) with children?
A. 2 years of age
B. 5 years of age
C. 3 years of age
D. 1 year of age
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text states, "4 years of age and older (article asks you can start at
3 years of age)." Therefore, the correct answer based on the article's suggestion is
3 years.
2. What is the primary purpose of a norm-referenced test?
A. To track a child's progress over time.
B. To analyze the specific components of a task.
C. To determine eligibility for services.
D. To plan specific therapy interventions.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text explicitly states that norm-referenced tests are "used to
determine eligibility of services."
3. The PDMS-2 is a norm-referenced test designed for children in which age
range?
A. 4 years to 21 years
,B. 15 days to 6 years
C. 0 to 3 years
D. Birth to 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The text specifies that the PDMS-2 is for "children 15 days to 6
years."
4. What is the "ceiling" effect in the context of the PDMS-2?
A. The point where a child masters three skills in a row, indicating they have all
lower skills.
B. The maximum score a child can achieve on the test.
C. The point where testing stops because a child cannot demonstrate three skills
in a row.
D. The age at which a child is expected to have mastered all motor skills.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text defines ceiling as "where we stop scoring b/c child has not
been able to demonstrate 3 skills in a row (0)."
5. What is the basal effect in the PDMS-2?
A. The starting point of the test for a child of a specific age.
B. The point where we can assume a child has mastered all skills lower than that
point.
C. The point where a child fails three skills in a row.
D. The lowest score possible on the test.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The text states a basal is achieved when "we are able to score child
at top of skill set for 3 skills in a row; at that point we can assume child has
mastered all skills that are lower than that skill."
,6. What is the main difference between a norm-referenced test and a criterion-
referenced test?
A. Norm-referenced tests are for older children only.
B. Criterion-referenced tests compare a child to a peer group, while norm-
referenced tests compare to a standard.
C. Norm-referenced tests compare a child to a normative sample, while criterion-
referenced tests compare to a defined standard or criteria.
D. Criterion-referenced tests are only used for screening.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text highlights that norm-referenced tests compare to the
"norm" of the population, whereas criterion-referenced tests "compare
performance against described criteria."
7. How are results typically reported for a criterion-referenced test?
A. As a percentile rank.
B. As a standard score.
C. As a percentage of items achieved or an age range.
D. As a pass/fail grade.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text states that for criterion-referenced tests, "scores are
reported as a percentage of items achieved or age range."
8. Which test is a commonly used norm-referenced test that assesses both fine
and gross motor skills in children aged 4 to 21 years?
A. HELP
B. PDMS-2
C. BOT-2
D. ASQ
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text describes the BOT-2 as "commonly used" and "normed for
children 4 years to 21 years" and assesses both fine and gross motor skills.
, 9. The HELP (Hawaii Early Learning Profile) is an example of what type of test?
A. A norm-referenced test.
B. A screening tool.
C. A criterion-referenced test.
D. A diagnostic assessment.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text states "HELP (hawaii early learning profile) -compares child
to themselves (criterion)," making it a criterion-referenced test.
10. For which age group is the HELP (Hawaii Early Learning Profile) primarily
designed?
A. 15 days to 6 years
B. 4 years to 21 years
C. 0-3 years
D. 3-6 years only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text specifies that the HELP is "used fro children 0-3 years (there
are screening version, checklist and version for 3-6 years old as well)." The primary
age is 0-3.
11. What is the main goal of using a screening tool?
A. To establish a definitive diagnosis.
B. To track progress in therapy.
C. To identify children who are "at risk" and may need further evaluation.
D. To determine the specific type of therapy a child needs.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text defines screening as a way to "ID 'at risk' [and] should be
referred for further evaluation."
NORM-REFERENCED & CRITERION-REFERENCED TESTS
(WEEKS 4-6)
1. According to the provided text, at what age can you typically start using
Manual Muscle Tests (MMTs) with children?
A. 2 years of age
B. 5 years of age
C. 3 years of age
D. 1 year of age
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text states, "4 years of age and older (article asks you can start at
3 years of age)." Therefore, the correct answer based on the article's suggestion is
3 years.
2. What is the primary purpose of a norm-referenced test?
A. To track a child's progress over time.
B. To analyze the specific components of a task.
C. To determine eligibility for services.
D. To plan specific therapy interventions.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text explicitly states that norm-referenced tests are "used to
determine eligibility of services."
3. The PDMS-2 is a norm-referenced test designed for children in which age
range?
A. 4 years to 21 years
,B. 15 days to 6 years
C. 0 to 3 years
D. Birth to 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The text specifies that the PDMS-2 is for "children 15 days to 6
years."
4. What is the "ceiling" effect in the context of the PDMS-2?
A. The point where a child masters three skills in a row, indicating they have all
lower skills.
B. The maximum score a child can achieve on the test.
C. The point where testing stops because a child cannot demonstrate three skills
in a row.
D. The age at which a child is expected to have mastered all motor skills.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text defines ceiling as "where we stop scoring b/c child has not
been able to demonstrate 3 skills in a row (0)."
5. What is the basal effect in the PDMS-2?
A. The starting point of the test for a child of a specific age.
B. The point where we can assume a child has mastered all skills lower than that
point.
C. The point where a child fails three skills in a row.
D. The lowest score possible on the test.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The text states a basal is achieved when "we are able to score child
at top of skill set for 3 skills in a row; at that point we can assume child has
mastered all skills that are lower than that skill."
,6. What is the main difference between a norm-referenced test and a criterion-
referenced test?
A. Norm-referenced tests are for older children only.
B. Criterion-referenced tests compare a child to a peer group, while norm-
referenced tests compare to a standard.
C. Norm-referenced tests compare a child to a normative sample, while criterion-
referenced tests compare to a defined standard or criteria.
D. Criterion-referenced tests are only used for screening.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text highlights that norm-referenced tests compare to the
"norm" of the population, whereas criterion-referenced tests "compare
performance against described criteria."
7. How are results typically reported for a criterion-referenced test?
A. As a percentile rank.
B. As a standard score.
C. As a percentage of items achieved or an age range.
D. As a pass/fail grade.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text states that for criterion-referenced tests, "scores are
reported as a percentage of items achieved or age range."
8. Which test is a commonly used norm-referenced test that assesses both fine
and gross motor skills in children aged 4 to 21 years?
A. HELP
B. PDMS-2
C. BOT-2
D. ASQ
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text describes the BOT-2 as "commonly used" and "normed for
children 4 years to 21 years" and assesses both fine and gross motor skills.
, 9. The HELP (Hawaii Early Learning Profile) is an example of what type of test?
A. A norm-referenced test.
B. A screening tool.
C. A criterion-referenced test.
D. A diagnostic assessment.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text states "HELP (hawaii early learning profile) -compares child
to themselves (criterion)," making it a criterion-referenced test.
10. For which age group is the HELP (Hawaii Early Learning Profile) primarily
designed?
A. 15 days to 6 years
B. 4 years to 21 years
C. 0-3 years
D. 3-6 years only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text specifies that the HELP is "used fro children 0-3 years (there
are screening version, checklist and version for 3-6 years old as well)." The primary
age is 0-3.
11. What is the main goal of using a screening tool?
A. To establish a definitive diagnosis.
B. To track progress in therapy.
C. To identify children who are "at risk" and may need further evaluation.
D. To determine the specific type of therapy a child needs.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The text defines screening as a way to "ID 'at risk' [and] should be
referred for further evaluation."
