The standard score (SS) is a numeric representation of how well candidates do compared to candidate peers taking the same exam. The SS range is 20 to 80, with a score of 50 representing a candidate who fell in the middle of the raw score distribution. SS changes from exam to exam since the average computations are based on the peer group at the time the particular exam is given.
There are occurrences where the highest scoring candidate does not have a SS of 80 and the lowest scoring candidate does not have a SS of 20. These occurrences are totally dependent on the peer group taking the exam.
In general, an SS of 80 indicates a candidate scored higher than 99% of the candidates taking the exact same exam (i.e. 99th percentile). A SS of 70 indicates candidate scored higher than 98% of all candidates, 60 indicates 84%, 50 indicates 50%, 40 indicates 16%, 30 indicates 2%, and 20 indicates 1%. It is the SS, not the raw score (number of questions answered correctly) that is a component of the Final Multiple Score (FMS). Lastly – the FMS is used to rank order candidates, using the combination of all elements: exam SS, evaluations (PMA), awards, education, PNA points and service-in-paygrade. The FMS for E7 candidates is based on only two elements – SS and PMA.