MEANING
Concentration of scores at an instrument’s upper limit, restricting its ability to distinguish higher levels or changes.
Use it for
Use for upper-bound compression in a test, scale, or other bounded measure.Identify when a test or measure cannot separate high performers or detect further gains.
Words that belong together
- ceiling effect on a test
- ceiling effect in a scale
- avoid a ceiling effect
On the page
The advanced class’s scores clustered at maximum, revealing a ceiling effect in the quiz.
Word forms
- Base
- ceiling effect
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Usage notes
Occurs when an instrument’s upper bound compresses high scores; it can restrict variance and hide further differences.
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