CMI Scoring
Sten Scoring in the Coaching Mindset Index
The Coaching Mindset Index (CMI) uses a scoring system known as Standard Tens, or Stens for short. Individual sten scores range from 1 to 10, and each one comprises a range of values, defined according to a standard normal distribution. Thus, each sten score indicates your position within the entire range of scores, comparing you to all other respondents.
Due to the imprecision inherent in any test of this nature, we encourage respondents to think in terms of five broad categories, intuitively labeled as “high,” “medium,” “low,” and so on. Sten scores of 5 and 6, comprising 38% of all scores, are considered medium. Sten scores of 4 or 7, each comprising 15% of all scores, are considered medium-low and medium-high, respectively. Sten scores of 1-3 are considered low, and sten scores of 8-10 are considered high. These high and low categories each comprise 16% of all scores.
The chart below shows how sten scores are aligned with a standard normal distribution:
Calculation of Sten scores involves a two-step process. First, raw scale scores are determined by averaging the items in that scale. The raw score is then converted to a Z-score using the formula:
Z-score = (raw scale score – mean scale score) / standard deviation
Means and standard deviations for each scale are determined by our normative data set, which is constantly growing. These benchmarks are updated on a regular basis as more and more individuals take the CMI.
Second, standardized scores are converted to sten scores by assigning scores that approximate the percentages of a standard normal distribution. (See chart)