Ontario Mathematics Proficiency Practice Test

What does the term "median" refer to in the context of report cards for grades 7-12?

1. The highest grade achieved

2. The average percentage of all students

3. The midpoint of student grades

4. The lowest passing grade

The correct answer is: The midpoint of student grades

In the context of report cards for grades 7-12, the term "median" refers specifically to the midpoint of student grades. To find the median, you first arrange all the grades in numerical order. The median is then the grade that falls in the middle of this ordered list. If there is an even number of grades, the median is calculated by taking the average of the two middle values. This measure is particularly useful in assessing student performance because it provides a better indication of the central tendency of grades, less affected by extreme values or outliers, such as very high or very low grades. Thus, the median represents a more reliable point of reference for understanding overall student performance within a class or cohort compared to merely looking at the highest, lowest, or average grades.