What term is used to describe a distribution where most scores are toward the high end with a few extreme low scores?

A distribution where most scores are concentrated toward the high end, with a few extreme low scores, is described as having a negative skew. In this scenario, the tail of the distribution extends further to the left, indicating that there are fewer low scores drawing the average downward. The bulk of the data is positioned on the right, or high end, which visually distorts the shape of the distribution, creating a leftward tail.

Understanding the term "negative skew" is important in statistics as it affects interpretations of data. It implies that while many participants might perform well (high scores), there are outliers or extreme values that lower the overall metric, such as the mean. Such details are crucial for analyzing performance metrics, psychological assessments, and many other fields where understanding data distribution is essential.