Ratings Guide
What are Power Circle Ratings?
Power Circle Ratings (the Ratings) are an easy-to-use system developed by J.D. Power and Associates for JDPower.com. All Ratings are based on the opinions of consumers who have actually used or owned the product or service being rated. Since the Ratings are based on J.D. Power and Associates research studies that survey a representative sample of owners, they are indicative of what typical buyers may experience.
High ratings for a particular product/service/company do not necessarily mean that every customer will have a positive experience. It simply indicates that, on average, consumer perceptions of the product/service/company indicate that it stands out when compared with competitive products/services/companies.
How are Power Circle Ratings calculated?
To calculate Power Circle Ratings, J.D. Power and Associates begins with the syndicated study index scores or a specific standard of measurement which can be found, in most cases, in the associated press release. An example of an index score is found in the J.D. Power and Associates New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study,SM where home building companies are ranked according to overall index scores based upon weighted responses to several survey factors. An example of a specific standard of measurement is found in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study,SM where vehicles are ranked according to reported Problem Per 100 (PP100).
Using these measurements, Power Circle Ratings are calculated based on the range between the product or service with the highest score and the product or service with the lowest score. J.D. Power and Associates generates a Power Circle Rating of five, four, three, or two, as outlined below:
Among the best
The highest-ranking company or brand in each segment receives five Power Circles*. In highly competitive segments with many companies or brands, multiple companies or models scoring in the top 10 percent of all companies in the segment can also receive five Power Circles, indicating that consumers rate them “among the best” of all companies or models in the survey. However, only the highest ranking company in each segment receives a J.D. Power and Associates award.
Better than most
Companies or models scoring in the next 30 percent of all companies in the segment receive a rating of 4 Power Circles*, indicating that consumers rate them “better than most” among companies or models in the survey.
About average
Companies or models scoring in the next 30 percent of all companies in the segment receive a rating of 3 Power Circles*, indicating that consumers rate them “about average” among all companies or models in the survey. Also, note that the survey average is established within this score range, with 10 percent of companies or models rating “about average” receiving a numerical score above the survey average and 20 percent of companies or models rating “about average” receiving a numerical score below the survey average.
The rest
Companies or models scoring in the next 30 percent of all companies in the segment receive a rating of 2 Power Circles*, indicating that consumers rate them lower than other companies or models in the survey. J.D. Power and Associates does not publish a rating lower than two Power Circles.
*Please note that Power Circle Ratings may not include all information used to determine J.D. Power and Associates awards.
What makes JDPower.com Power Circle Ratings different?
Power Circle Ratings are one of the only sources of consumer ratings based on independent and unbiased feedback from a representative sample of verified product and service owners. Representative means that the study results represent the general population of buyers/owners of that particular product or service, and verified means that the respondent actually owns, has owned, or used the product or service being rated.
Although many Web sites provide consumer ratings and feedback, in most cases product or service ownership is not verified. Verification of ownership is important because ratings on other sites may be based on information collected from online surveys, discussion forums, or chat rooms. In many cases, this type of consumer feedback lacks sufficient rigor. In some instances, a respondent is providing feedback on a product or service that they do not own.
Scoring Legend
Among the best
Better than most
About average
The rest
