The first step required for normative assessment is to determine the global score, the
RIKC, and next to generate a confidence band by creating a range of scores bounded on the
low end by subtracting the SEM from the obtained score and the high end by adding the
SEM to the obtained score. Because the SEM is a function of test variability and reliability, it
directly indexes the extent to which the scores reflect unsystematic variance (i.e., error) and
is the operationalization preferred by some experts for creating confidence bands (Sattler,
2005). This information can be used as follows—assume that an examinee obtains a RIKC
score of 115; the SEM for this Composite is 4 (SEMs for all scales and composites are
provided in the manual). In this case, chances are two out of three that the band of scores
from 111 to 119 contains the examinee's “true score,” defined as the average score that
would be obtained by repeated administrations minus sources of error such as practice,
fatigue, and so on. Once the test composite or RIKC is obtained, the other global standard
scores (Basic Reading and Advanced Reading) and individual scale standard scores and their
confidence bands can be determined. Finally, percentile ranks for all scales and composites
can be determined. Percentile ranks provide another index of relative performance. For
example, the RIKC score of 115 is at the 84 percentile rank, and indicates that that the
examinee knows as much or more than 84 out of 100 peers, as determined by comparison to
the standardization sample.