Comparing Test Scores: Step-by-Step Example
27 October 2026
When your child sees lots of test scores, it can be tricky to know which group did best. By comparing the mean (average) score for each group, you can help them understand who performed better overall.
Example question
Class A scores: 78, 85, 90, 88, 92 Class B scores: 80, 82, 85, 87, 90
Step 1: Add all the scores for Class A. 78 + 85 + 90 + 88 + 92 = 433
Step 2: Divide by the number of students in Class A. 433 ÷ 5 = 86.6
Step 3: Add all the scores for Class B. 80 + 82 + 85 + 87 + 90 = 424
Step 4: Divide by the number of students in Class B. 424 ÷ 5 = 84.8
Step 5: Compare the averages. 86.6 (Class A) is higher than 84.8 (Class B)
Key insight: The mean (average) helps you see which group did better overall.
The answer: Class A performed better on average in the test.
After working through this example, your child will spot how the mean score shows which group did best in a fair way. They can now try a similar question on their own to practise comparing test scores in a set of data.
