Which statement best describes the 84th percentile on the PAI?

• A. It indicates results equal to the general population.
• B. It indicates results slightly below the general population.
• C. It indicates results far below the general population.
• D. It indicates results greater than the general population and therefore clinically significant.

Answer: (D)

Percentile rank shows where a score sits compared with the normative group. Being at the 84th percentile means your score is higher than about 84% of people in the general population. On the PAI, higher scores reflect more of the measured trait or symptoms, so this position indicates you are above average relative to the general population. In many clinical interpretations, upper-percentile scores are treated as clinically meaningful because they exceed common thresholds used to flag concern. So this statement correctly describes being greater than the general population and being interpreted as clinically significant.