Standard Error of Measurement

The Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) is a statistic that indicates the amount of error inherent in a test score. It reflects how much a person's observed score might vary if they took the same test multiple times under similar conditions. In essence, SEM provides an estimate of the precision of the test score, showing the range within which the true ability or knowledge level likely falls. A smaller SEM means the test scores are more reliable and consistent, while a larger SEM suggests more variability and less precision.