What term is used for the average score in a distribution of scores?

The term used for the average score in a distribution of scores is the mean. The mean is calculated by adding all the scores together and then dividing by the total number of scores. This statistical measure offers a central tendency, providing a single value that summarizes a set of data.

In contrast, the median refers to the middle value when all scores are arranged in order, while the standard deviation measures the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of scores. Percentiles indicate the relative standing of a score within a distribution, showing the percentage of scores that fall below a particular value. Understanding these distinctions helps in interpreting data more accurately, especially in educational assessments.