2024 Norms for the COPSystem VIA Assessments

Norms for the COPSystem VIA are based on data gathered from 2023 through 2024 from a sample of individuals spanning from 7th graders to college-graduate adults. Our broad national sample includes subjects from the four main geographic regions of the United States (as identified by the 2020 U.S. Census Report). The average age for the COPS norm sample  was 32.8 years (n = 21,949). Table 1 illustrates a breakdown of our sample, grouped by region and gender. These groupings were leveraged to explore possible geographical or social mean differences in vocational interests, values, and abilities. Even though no significant regional differences were uncovered, each table in this post is segmented by region to illustrate the breadth of test implementation across the country.

Table 1 - Summary of 2024 COPS Normative Data by Region and Gender

In  the analysis of the data gathered for the COPS Interest Inventory, comparisons were made between gender, grade level, and region. Gender was the only categorization to reveal practically-significant mean differences in occupational interest. Cohen’s d values indicating small mean differences were observed for the Science (Professional and Skilled) and Business (Professional and Skilled) clusters. Cohen’s d values indicating medium or large mean differences were observed for the Technology (Professional and Skilled) clusters, the Arts, Skilled cluster, and the Service, Professional cluster. Similar to our findings in 2022, these observations suggest that certain scale means should be interpreted differently for males and females. No other normative groupings were formed for the COPS Interest Inventory. 

Responses from the COPES values survey (n = 19,052) and CAPS ability battery (n = 22,677)  were also grouped and analyzed. Our COPES analyses did not reveal any significantly large between-group mean differences, so separate normative distributions were not produced for scoring. In other words, gender and level of education are not considered when a COPES score report is produced. Table 2 presents the regional distribution of the COPES.

Table 2 - Summary of COPES Normative Data by Region

Past analyses of the CAPS Abilities test battery have revealed significant mean differences as a function of grade level. These findings have been replicated with the current sample through between-subjects ANOVAs and subsequent post-hoc tests. As such, we will continue publishing three separate scoring profiles: Grades 7 through 9, Grades 10 through 12, and High School Graduates through Doctoral Graduates. Table 3 summarizes the regional and educational group-related sample sizes observed during the norming process.

Table 3 - Summary of CAPS Normative Data by Region and Educational Level

International analyses were also conducted. Across the three COPSystem assessments, the average composite scores of our Canadian sample (n = 3,486) did not meaningfully differ from those from our United States sample. In line with our previous norming analyses, our Spanish-language sample sizes were quite low, even when analyzing data collected between 2018 and 2024. Regardless, the Spanish COPS (n = 375) and COPES (n = 334) scale scores were not meaningfully different from the norming sample. Conversely, save for similar Language Usage (LU) means, the Spanish CAPS (n = 651) scale scores were all meaningfully lower than the norming sample. The values were not meaningfully different from our past Spanish CAPS norming results, so the 2022 stanine scores were preserved. These results may be a symptom of sampling error. The vast majority of our Spanish assessments are administered within English-speaking environments, so it is reasonable to assume that our Spanish sample is most likely not fully representative of the Spanish-speaking job-seeking population.

The multiple scoring profiles and analyses discussed here were implemented according to general psychometric best practices. Our primary goal throughout this process is to ensure that the recommendations made by those who rely on our products are effective, meaningful, and reflective of the populations they serve.

For additional information, questions, comments, or concerns, please email us at service@edits.net.

Learn more about the career clusters measured by the COPSystem.