Words for results: level, band, confidence, composite
Four words describe a result under AIRS-J/1: level, band, confidence and composite. Each entry gives the Standard's own wording, a plain reading, where the word appears and what it is not.
Judgment is how well a person decides once AI has given the answer. AIRS-J/1, the AIR APAC Standard for Judgment in AI-Enabled Work, describes it as nine dimensions, grouped in four domains: Structure, Test, Engage and Perform (Section 5).
A result under the Standard uses four words: level, band, confidence and composite. Each entry below gives the Standard's wording, a plain reading, where the word appears and what it is not.
Level
The Standard's wording. "Every observation is scored 0 to 4." (Section 7). The Section 7 table gives each level a label:
- 0: Not demonstrated
- 1: Emerging
- 2: Competent. "Threshold level."
- 3: Proficient
- 4: Exemplary
"Levels are cumulative." (Section 7.4). "A prompted response caps at Level 1 for that observation." (Section 7.1). "Level 4 is not seniority." (Section 7.2).
In plain words (a plain reading). A level describes one observation of one dimension, read against the published anchor for that level. Each level includes everything the level below it requires. A response that the instrument prompted counts at Level 1 at most.
Where you see it. In the anchor sets of Section 7.5, which describe each level for each of the nine dimensions.
Not the same as. A band: a level belongs to one observation, and a reading from practice or a training session carries no level (Section 3).
Band
The Standard's wording. "Certified results are reported in bands, not raw composites, to prevent false precision and league-table misuse." (Section 12.4). The Section 12.4 table sets three bands (its printed ranges are written here with "to"):
| Band | Composite | Additional condition |
|---|---|---|
| Certified | 2.3 to 2.9 | All floors met |
| Certified with Merit | 3.0 to 3.4 | No dimension below 2.5 |
| Certified with Distinction | 3.5 and above | No dimension below 3.0 |
In plain words (a plain reading). A band is the name a certified result carries. The composite and the lowest score allowed on each dimension (a floor) decide which band it is. A band gives a range rather than an exact number. This keeps a result from being read as more exact than the evidence allows, and from being used to make ranked lists of people.
Where you see it. In the candidate's report (Section 12.5) and in the register, which records the band (Section 14.1).
Not the same as. A rank: "AIR APAC provides no rank order of applicants; the band is the reading (Section 12.4)." (Section 12.6).
Confidence
The Standard's wording. "A statement of evidential sufficiency attached to every result (Section 10)." (Section 3). "Confidence describes evidential sufficiency, not the candidate's ability." (Section 10). Section 10 sets four values: High, Moderate, Provisional and Insufficient. "Certification may be issued at Moderate or High only." (Section 10).
In plain words (a plain reading). Confidence says how much evidence stands behind a result. It depends on how many observations there are for each dimension, from how many scenarios, and how widely the scenarios covered different kinds of consequence. It says nothing about how able the person is. Provisional and Insufficient results are development readings: they carry no band and are not certification (Sections 10 and 10.1).
Where you see it. "Confidence is printed on the credential and shown in the register." (Section 10).
Not the same as. A person's self-confidence: no level is inferred from it (Section 7.3). Nor is it the certainty that an AI tool states about its own answer.
Composite
The Standard's wording. Section 12.2.1 says: "the composite is the arithmetic mean of all nine dimension scores." Rule 3 of Section 12.2 requires an "Overall mean at or above 2.3". Section 12.3 gives its own example. "A profile at exactly 2.0 across all nine yields a composite of 2.0 and fails rule 3, so the composite is the binding constraint on a flat profile."
In plain words (a plain reading). The composite is one number for the whole result: the average of the nine dimension scores. A certified result needs a composite of 2.3 or more. It also needs the other five rules met, so the composite alone does not decide certification. A flat profile has the same score on all nine dimensions. At exactly 2.0 on all nine, no dimension or domain is below 2.0. The composite of 2.0 is below 2.3, so the composite stops certification.
Where it matters. With the lowest score allowed on each dimension, it decides which band a certified result carries (Section 12.4).
Not the same as. The pass decision. "Strength in one domain does not offset weakness in another." (Section 12.1). All six rules must be met (Section 12.2).
How the four fit together
Each observation is scored at a level from 0 to 4. A dimension score is the mean of its valid observations, and a domain score is the mean of its dimension scores. The composite is the mean of the nine dimension scores (Section 12.2.1). A certified result is reported as a band, which the composite and the lowest score allowed on each dimension decide (Section 12.4). Confidence says how much evidence stands behind the result, and certification is issued only at Moderate or High (Section 10).
What this does not claim
- This glossary gives no level, band, composite or confidence for any person. Its only figures are the Standard's own rules and its Section 12.3 example. It gives no result as a percentage or a rank.
- It does not say that the composite alone decides certification, or that confidence measures ability. It does not say that a practice or training reading has a level or a band.
- It does not say that a result shows a person suits a particular job. A result describes the person's judgment in AI-enabled work at the level certified (Section 12.6).
- The plain readings explain the Standard. They are not its text, and where they differ, the Standard governs.
AIR APAC publishes the standard for judgment in AI-enabled work, certifies people against it through its official instrument, and stands behind every result.