The PAI is scored using which type of scores?

• A. Tscores with M=50 SD=10
• B. Standard Scores with M=100 SD=15
• C. Z-scores
• D. Raw scores

Answer: (A)

Standardized scoring helps you compare results consistently across all scales. The PAI uses T-scores, which are standardized scores with a fixed mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. This means each 10-point step represents one standard deviation from the norm, so a score of 60 is one SD above the norm, 70 is two SDs above, and so on. Because all scales are placed on the same metric, you can easily see where someone shows elevated or diminished traits and compare different scales side by side.

T-scores come from converting the observed score to a z-score based on the normative sample, then applying T = 50 + 10·z. This keeps scores on a clear, positive scale and makes interpretation straightforward. Other formats, like raw scores, don’t allow cross-scale comparison; z-scores use a mean of 0 and can include negatives, which is less user-friendly in clinical reports. Standard scores with a mean of 100 and SD of 15 are common in some tests, but the PAI specifically reports T-scores for this consistent, easy-to-interpret framework.