What is the average mean score on most cognitive assessments?

The average mean score on most cognitive assessments is set at 100. This standardization means that scores are typically distributed around this mean, following a bell curve or normal distribution. In this distribution, approximately 68% of individuals are expected to score within one standard deviation above or below the mean, which usually falls between 85 and 115. The establishment of a mean score of 100 allows for the interpretation and comparison of cognitive abilities across different individuals and populations, aligning scores with a normative sample. This scoring convention is vital for understanding how a specific score may reflect an individual's cognitive functioning relative to the general population.