Which of the following is a primary characteristic of a standardized measure of articulation accuracy?

• A. Procedures are specified to ensure consistent administration and scoring.
• B. A normative sample is used to identify scores that are below normal limits.
• C. The threshold level of performance required to pass is described.
• D. A hierarchy of cues is used to obtain the child's best performance.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is standardization. A standardized measure of articulation accuracy is defined by fixed, specified procedures for how to administer the test and how to score it. This ensures that every child is tested in the same way—same prompts, same elicitation methods, and the same scoring criteria—regardless of who administers it or where it’s given. That consistency is what makes the results comparable across different testers and settings and supports reliable interpretation of articulation performance.

Normative data (the second option) is important for interpreting scores—helping determine what counts as typical or below typical performance—but it’s not the defining feature of a standardized instrument. The threshold for "passing" (the third option) and the use of a hierarchy of cues to elicit responses (the fourth option) describe specific decision rules or test-taking strategies, not the essential characteristic that defines a standardized measure.