PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

& TESTS

AMRITANSHU
LECTURER
SLMGNC
 Introduction
• Psychology has a long tradition scientific research
on human behavior and personality. Through this
research a multitude of psychological assessment
scales have been developed to measure objectively
and precisely the various aspects of psychological
functioning and personality characteristics.
• Psychological assessment is the attempt of a skilled
professional usually a psychologist to evaluate
thinking, learning and behavior of a person be it
general or specific.
 Types of psychological test: Based on
Construction and Administration
• Individual Test and Group Test: The term intelligence refers to the individual differences
in mental ability. Intelligence tests can be administered individually or in a group.
• Individual Tests:
• A test can be said individual test in the sense that they can be administered to only one
person at a time. Many of the tests in these scales require oral responses from the
examinee or necessitate the manipulation of the materials.
• Individual intelligence tests are preferred by the psychologist in clinics, hospitals and
other settings where clinical diagnoses are made, and where they serve not only as
measures of general intelligence but also as means of observing behavior in a standard
situation.
• Group Test:
• Group test was developed to meet a pressing practical need. Group test can be
administered to a group of persons at a time.
• Group tests were designed as mass testing instruments; they not only permit the
simultaneous examination of large groups but they also use simplified instruction and
administration procedures. There by requiring a minimum of training on the part of
examiner.
 Speed and power test
• Speed tests and power tests are two types of psychometric tests that measure
different aspects of cognitive ability.
• Speed tests assess an individual's ability to perform a task quickly and
accurately under time pressure. They typically have a time limit that forces
individuals to work at a rapid pace. The focus is on how quickly an
individual can complete the test, rather than the accuracy of their responses.
Speed tests are often used to measure processing speed, which is the ability
to decode information and execute mental operations quickly.
• Power tests, on the other hand, assess an individual's maximum ability to
perform a task, regardless of time constraints. They do not have a time limit,
and individuals are allowed to take as much time as they need to complete
the test. The focus is on the accuracy of an individual's responses, rather
than the speed at which they complete the test. Power tests are often used to
measure cognitive abilities such as vocabulary, reasoning, and problem-
solving.
 Computer-assisted test
• These are a means of administering psychological
tests to large group of application wherein an
applicants wherein an applicants response determines
the level of difficulty of succeeding items. In this
form of testing the individual does not have to waste
time answering questions below hi s level of ability.
The computer program begins with a question of
average difficulty and with the individual clicking
the correct answer proceed to questions of greater
difficulty. If not it poses less difficult question.
Paper pencil and performance tests
• Paper pencil test are administered using
printed forms with answer sheets. However
such test formats are not appropriate for
carrying out performance tests as they are
meant to assess complex skills, such as word
processing and mechanical ability.
 Classification based on skills and Abilities
they are Designed to measure
• An achievement test is an assessment tool used to measure a
student's knowledge, skills, or competencies in a specific subject
area. It is designed to evaluate the level of mastery or
accomplishment attained by an individual in relation to
predetermined learning objectives or standards.

Achievement tests are typically administered at the end of a

course, unit, or academic year to gauge the extent to which
students have acquired the intended knowledge and skills. These
tests provide valuable information about students' academic
performance, identifying areas of strength and areas that may
require further attention.
 Aptitude test
• An aptitude test is an exam used to determine
an individual's skill or propensity to succeed in
a given activity. Aptitude tests assume that
individuals have inherent strengths and
weaknesses and a natural inclination toward
success or failure in certain areas as a result.
Aptitude tests are widely used in schools, by
employers, and to help individuals make
career decisions.
 Intelligence test
• An intelligence test is defined as a series of questionnaires and
exercises that are designed to measure the intelligence of an
individual. These assessments can be conducted on children as
well as adults. Although different assessments cover a variety
of skills, these tools generally cover aspects of cognition such
as:
• Verbal intelligence: One's ability to understand and apply
language skills such as vocabulary and reading comprehension.
• Numerical intelligence: An individual's ability to calculate.
• Spatial intelligence: The ability to solve spatial problems.
• Logical intelligence: The ability of an individual to reason and
apply logic in order to solve problems.
 Interest test
• These psychological tests are assess a person’
interest and preferences and are primarily used
in career counselling. For: Example, Interest
Inventory.
 Neuropsychological Test
• Neuropsychological testing is a way to measure
the cognitive skills of a person. It is used to assess
the mental condition of people who have suffered
from brain injury, stroke, or other neurological
conditions. These types of tests are generally used
to measure a person’s psychological function —
those known to be linked to a particular brain
structure or neural pathway. Example: Benton
Visual Retention, Wecshler Adult Memory Scale
Development of Psychological Test
Analysis of the situation

Tentative selection of the test item

Development of standardized procedure

Administration of the test to a representative group

Final selection of the test item

Evaluation of the final test

Characteristics of the psychological test
• Standardization: It refers to the consistency or uniformity
of the conditions and procedures for administration a test.
To achieve standardization people must be tested under
uniform conditions.
• Objectivity: It refers primarily to the scoring of test result.
The scoring process must be free of subjective judgement
or bias on the part of the scores.
• Test norms: To interpret the result of a psychological test,
a frame of the reference or point of comparison must be
established to compare the performance of one person with
that of the other.
• Reliability: It refers to the consistency of a person’s
scores. For example: A boy takes the a score of 100
followed by a mean score of 72 in a repeat test after
the week. This would suggest the test as unreliable
as it yields inconsistent measurement.
• Validity: It refers to the test’s accuracy in measuring
what is supposed to measure. For example, if a test
via valid measure of intelligence, people’s score on
that test should strongly be correlated with their
grades in school.
 Principles of psychological tests
• Psychological tests are should have three components i.e.
standard, content and procedure that make it possible for
anybody to administer it anywhere, anytime.
• Test should have norms to allow comparison of an
individual test score with that of a known group who
have taken the test.
• Test items are of high technical quality prepared by
experts, pre tested and selected on the basis of difficulty,
discriminating power and relationship to a clearly
defined rigid set of specifications.
• Directions for administering scores are
precisely stated so that procedures are standard
for various test users.
• A test manual and other accessory material is
provided as a guide for administering, scoring,
evaluating its technical qualities and
interpreting and using the results.
 Benefits of psychological test
• Psychological assessment is commonly suggested for specific reasons. In children, they are
used to:
• Determine the presence of developmental delay, learning disability or processing problems
• Diagnose conditions such as attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorders, emotional
disturbances (mood, anxiety disorders) or disruptive behavior disorders
• Identify giftedness or to test intelligence
• Determine vocational ability (such as for career counseling in young adults)
• Track intellectual development
• Determine socialization problems
• In adults, psychological assessment is sought for:
• Screening job candidates for possible psychopathology issues, such as personality or
depressive disorder
• Educational purposes, such as to determine one’s strengths and weaknesses
• For behavioral management
• As a requirement for the use of supportive drug therapies
• To affirm clinical findings, such as when no evidence of physical pathology is observed for a
given condition
 Limitations of psychological test
• Sole Decision-Making: One of the most significant misuses is relying solely on test results to
make important decisions, such as hiring, promotion, or admission to educational programs.
Psychological tests should be just one part of a comprehensive assessment process.
• Cultural Insensitivity: Using tests that are culturally biased or insensitive can lead to unfair
outcomes, particularly for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. This can perpetuate
inequality and discrimination.
• Over-pathologizing Normal Behavior: Some tests are designed to identify psychological
disorders. Misuse occurs when normal variations in behavior are pathologized, leading to
unnecessary diagnoses and treatments.
• Inadequate Training: Administering and interpreting psychological tests require specific
training. Misuse often occurs when individuals without proper training attempt to use these
tests, leading to inaccurate results and conclusions.
• Confidentiality Concerns: In some cases, the misuse of psychological tests can lead to
breaches of confidentiality. Test results should always be handled with the utmost care to
protect individuals' privacy.
 Interpretations of psychological tests
• Know Your Purpose: Before diving into test results, it’s essential to understand why you took
the test in the first place. Psychological tests can serve various purposes, such as those of self-
discovery, career guidance or addressing specific concerns. Knowing your goal will guide your
interpretation.
• Understand Test Types: Psychological tests come in many forms, including personality
assessments, cognitive tests, emotional intelligence evaluations, and more. Each type of test
measures specific aspects of your psyche. Make sure you’re aware of the type and scope of the
test you took.
• Consider Norms and Averages: Most psychological tests are designed to compare your
scores to a group of people who have taken the same test before. Your results are typically
reported in relation to averages and percentiles. This information can help you understand
where you stand in comparison to the general population.
• Be Open-Minded: Interpreting test results is not about labeling or categorizing yourself. It’s
about gaining insights into your traits, behaviors, or abilities. Stay open to the idea that test
results are not carved in stone but can evolve over time.
• Consult the Test Instructions: Read the test instructions or guide that comes with your
assessment. This documentation will provide valuable information on how to interpret your
results and what they mean in the context of the test design.
• Focus on the Big Picture: Remember that psychological tests offer a snapshot of
your psychological profile at a particular moment in time. Avoid overanalyzing
isolated scores or results. Instead, look for patterns and overarching themes in your
test outcomes.
• Self-Reflection and Personal Growth: Interpreting psychological test results is an
opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Use the insights gained from the
test to better understand yourself and make informed decisions about your life,
whether it’s in the context of relationships, career, or personal development.
• Recognize Outliers: Outliers are data points that significantly differ from the rest of
your results. While they may be interesting, they should not be overemphasized.
Consider whether outliers are genuine aspects of your personality or just a
momentary anomaly.
• Use Results Wisely: Ultimately, the value of psychological tests lies in how you use
the information they provide. Use your test results as a tool for personal development,
goal setting, and decision-making, but remember that they are just one piece of the
puzzle in understanding yourself.
Role of nurse in psychological assessment

• A nurse should have knowledge about all the

psychological tests, which will enable her to
clarify the patient's & relative's doubts
regarding the psychological tests have to
undergo. The nurse should reassure the patient
about the safety of the tests & confidentiality
of the observations of the psychologist.