What does a positive Z-score indicate about a raw score?

A positive Z-score indicates that the raw score is above the mean of the dataset. Z-scores are calculated by taking the difference between the raw score and the mean, and then dividing by the standard deviation. When the result is positive, it means the raw score is higher than the average score of the group being analyzed. This interpretation is important in various statistical applications, such as determining how an individual’s performance compares to that of a group. Hence, a positive Z-score directly points to a score that exceeds the mean, reflecting a better-than-average performance or result.