Smoothing Methods for Estimating Test Score Distributions

Abstract

Frequency distributions of test scores may appear irregular and, as estimates of a population distribution, contain a substantial amount of sampling error. Techniques for smoothing score distributions are available that have the capacity to improve estimation. In this article, estimation/smoothing methods that are flexible enough to fit a wide variety of test score distributions are reviewed. The methods are a kernel method, a strong true–score model–based method, and a method that uses polynomial log–linear models. The use of these methods is then reviewed, and applications of the methods are presented that include describing and comparing test score distributions, estimating norms, and estimating equipercentile equivalents in test score equating. Suggestions for further research are also provided.

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