How to Read T Scores

normal distribution with t scores

Do you need to know how to read t scores? We are all used to seeing scores or test results where 100 was the best. However, if you have ever received a report that used t scores, the number may look much different. These steps will tell you how to read t scores so that they are meaningful to you.

Things You'll Need

• A t score.

Instructions

1. ***Identify the T score you want to interpret.***

   A T score is a score that is given with some standardized tests. It is sometimes used in psychological tests and in certain medical tests. It may be found in other tests as well. If you are given a report and it has T scores in it then it should say that the score is a T score. However, too often professionals writing reports forget that the report is written, not only for other professionals, but also for the client and the client may not know what a T score is.

   A T score is a type of standardized score that can be mathematically transformed into other types of standardized scores.

2. ***Look at your T score on the normal distribution.***

   The picture beside the title is a picture of a normal distribution. Double click on it to enlarge it (only if you are really interested because this is not absolutely necessary information for reading t scores, but it is useful and good if you want the detail). You will see a bell shaped curve that is broken down into 8 sections with a percentage in each section. If you look down further towards the bottom you will see a row that says "T scores." The bell curve never changes and neither does the distribution.

3. ***Compare your score to the average T score.***

   Start to read T scores by knowing that T scores have an average of 50.
   If you look at the very center of the curve and follow it down to the row for T scores, you will see that the T score in the center of the curve is "50." That means that 50 is an average score for a T score.

4. ***See where your score falls within the average range.***

   T scores have an average range of 40 to 60 and about 68% of the population would score within that range. That may be all you need, or want, to know about how to read T scores. What that tells you is that you should not be alarmed if you see a score of 60 and it is a t score. After all, we are used to a 60 in school as failing, but for a t score it means that your score is above average and is on the upper end of the average range. That may be a good thing or it may be a bad thing. I'll explain that in step 5.

   If you really are super interested, look at the curve in the picture (double click to enlarge it) and you will see that the two sections in the center of the curve each say 34.13%. Now if you look at the row for t scores, you will see that the center score is 50 and the scores in the two sections nearest the center say 40 and 60. What that means is that 34.13% of the population would score between 40 and 50 and another 34.13% would score between 50 and 60. So 68.26% would score between 40 and 60. That is the average range for a t score.

5. ***Look at what the test (and thus the T score) is measuring.***

   If the test you took is measuring something good (like IQ), then you would want a higher score so a score of 60 would be great. You have an above average level of IQ or whatever else the test is measuring that is good. However, if the test is measuring something that is not desired, such as maybe depression or another problem, then you would want a lower score. A score of 60 on that test would not be good. Therefore, you can read T scores just by knowing that their average is, but you can only interpret that score by knowing what they are really measuring.

Tips & Warnings

• If you take any kind of test, make sure that you are given a report with the scores and a good interpretation.

• If you are given a report with scores and it does not state what kind of score the score is or give a good interpretation of the score, then ask.