Question

suppose you take a standardized test and you are in the 14th percentile. what does this percentile mean?

• you scored 14% higher than the class average
• 14% of the scores were higher than your score
• you scored 14% lower than the class average
• 14% of the scores were your score or lower

can you say that you failed the test?

• it depends on how the rest of the class scored. if scores were really high, it is possible that i got a passing score
• yes, since 14% is below 60%
• it depends on how the rest of the class scored. if scores were really low on this exam, it is possible that i got a passing score
• no, since you scored 14% above the class average
• no, since 14% is below 60%

Explanation:

The $n$th percentile means that $n\%$ of the data values are at or below that value. So the 14th percentile implies 14% of the scores were your score or lower. Whether you failed depends on the overall performance of the class. If the class - wide scores were low, a 14th - percentile score could still be a passing score.

Answer:

1. 14% of the scores were your score or lower
2. It depends on how the rest of the class scored. If scores were really low on this exam, it is possible that I got a passing score