Psychological tests are standardized measures designed to assess various aspects of an individual’s psychological functioning, such as cognitive abilities, personality traits, emotional states, and mental health. They are usually “normed,” meaning they are used on thousands of people so your results can be compared and contrasted with people from various backgrounds and presenting concerns. Psych tests are organized into “batteries” groups of assessments to add to their conclusions’ power and depth. These psychological test batteries are uniquely designed for each client.
Psychological Tests: Types
There are several major types of psychological tests:
- Intelligence Quotient (IQ) evaluates a person’s cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, reasoning, and problem-solving. These include the WAIS for adults, the WISC for children, the Stanford-Binet, and others.
- Personality evaluation assesses an individual’s traits, attitudes, and behavioral tendencies. We use many personality measures, including the MMPI and PAI measures.
- Emotional Tests measure emotional states and emotional intelligence. We often use projectives to measure emotional states, and we also use questionnaires like the Beck Depression Inventory.
- Neuropsychological Tests evaluate cognitive and behavioral functions related to brain dysfunction. The Trail-Making and Wisconsin Card-Sorting Tests assess different aspects of cognitive function.
- Projective Tests present ambiguous stimuli (like images or words) and ask the individual to respond, revealing underlying thoughts and feelings. Examples include the Rorschach Inkblot and the Thematic Apperception measures.
Psychological Tests: How They Are Made
The development of psychological tests is a complex and rigorous process that involves several stages to ensure their validity, reliability, and effectiveness. Here’s an overview of how psych tests are typically created:
Conceptualization and Planning
The first step involves identifying the purpose, the specific constructs or traits it aims to measure, and the target population (e.g., children, adults, and individuals with a particular condition). Researchers and developers also review existing literature and related measures to understand the concepts and methods. Soon after that, individual items or questions are chosen. Items should be clear, relevant, and representative of the measured construct. Developers may generate items using qualitative methods, expert input, and literature reviews.
Reviews and Pilot Testing
In the next step, a panel of experts (psychologists, educators, clinicians) reviews the generated items. They assess the clarity, appropriateness, and relevance of each item. Items that are ambiguous or do not meet the intended criteria are refined or discarded. Then, a small sample of the target population is used to administer the measure in its preliminary form. This helps identify any issues with item wording, instructions, or other aspects of the assessment administration. Feedback from pilot administrations informs necessary revisions.
Data from the pilot administrations is analyzed to examine the items’ psychometric properties. This includes examining item difficulty (how many people answered correctly), item discrimination (whether the item effectively differentiates between high and low scorers), and item reliability. After item analysis and refinement, the final version is constructed. The sequence of items, instructions, and scoring procedures are established. Experts often review the final version for approval.
Norming, Reliability, and Validity
To interpret an individual’s scores, they are typically compared to a representative sample of the population, known as a norm group. Norming involves administering the measure to a large and diverse group of people to establish the norms and distribution of scores. Test Reliability refers to the consistency of scores over time and across different administrations. Statistical Validity refers to whether it measures what it claims to measure. Various methods, such as retake reliability and construct validity studies, are conducted to assess these properties. Finally, the administration procedures and scoring guidelines are standardized to ensure consistent administration and interpretation across different people and settings.
Psychological Tests Publication
Once a measure has undergone rigorous development, validation, and standardization, it is published and made available for purchase or use by professionals. Manuals provide information on administration, scoring, interpretation, and the test’s psychometric properties. We stay up-to-date on the scoring and interpretation of each measure, as well as any more general changes in the field. Advancements in assessment methods and user feedback contribute to ongoing improvement.
How Psych Tests Are Used
Psychological tests are used for a variety of purposes in the field of psychology and related disciplines. Here are some common ways in which we use them in our practice:
Psychological Tests in Clinical Assessment
Psych tests are often used to diagnose and assess mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism. They help make accurate diagnoses, explore the specific nature of the diagnosis, rule out other diagnoses, and help develop plans for treatment of accommodations. Personality evaluation is the main focus here, and it is used to assess an individual’s traits, values, and behavioral tendencies.
Psych Tests in Clinical Assessment Example
John reports feeling persistently sad, having difficulty sleeping, and losing interest in activities he once enjoyed. He also mentions having trouble concentrating at work and feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks. We gather background information, understand the patient’s history, and assess current symptoms. We decide on the following battery of psych tests:
- Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II):
- Purpose: To assess the severity of depressive symptoms.
- Results: John scores a 27, indicating severe depression.
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2):
- Purpose: To evaluate personality structure and psychopathology.
- Results: John’s profile suggests high levels of anxiety and a tendency toward introversion, with significant elevations on scales related to depression and social withdrawal.
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV):
- Purpose: To assess cognitive functioning, including working memory, processing speed, and verbal comprehension.
- Results: John’s IQ falls within the average range, but he shows significant weaknesses in processing speed and working memory, which could be contributing to his difficulties at work.
Based on the clinical interview, test results, and behavioral observations, we feel that John has Major Depressive Disorder, moderate to severe, and we suggest Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) To address negative thought patterns and improve coping strategies. We also give him self-help strategies to improve his working memory, mindfulness strategies to reduce anxiety, and cognitive strategies to improve processing speed.
Psych Tests and Educational Assessment
In education, psych tests assess a student’s cognitive abilities and academic achievement. These results can be compared to reveal possible learning disabilities that would respond well to specific accommodations and interventions. These assessments can also inform educators about a student’s strengths and weaknesses, helping to tailor instructional strategies.
Psychological Tests for Educational Assessment Example
Sarah’s teacher has noticed that she struggles with reading comprehension and math. Sarah often falls behind in class despite her efforts and seems frustrated with her schoolwork. We gather information on Sarah’s academic performance, behavior, and concerns from her teachers and parents. Sarah’s teacher and parents provide input on her difficulties in reading and math, noting that these issues have persisted for several years. There is also a family history of learning disabilities. We decide on the following battery of psych tests:
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V):
- Purpose: To assess cognitive functioning across domains, such as verbal comprehension, working memory, processing speed, and perceptual reasoning.
- Results: Sarah’s overall IQ falls within the average range, but there are significant discrepancies between her verbal comprehension (above average) and her processing speed (below average), indicating specific cognitive weaknesses.
- Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Achievement (WJ-IV):
- Purpose: To evaluate academic reading, math, and written language skills.
- Results: Sarah scores below grade level in reading comprehension and math problem-solving. Her reading fluency is particularly weak, contributing to her comprehension struggles.
- Gray Oral Reading Tests (GORT-5):
- Purpose: To assess reading fluency and comprehension.
- Results: Sarah reads slower than her peers and makes frequent errors, impacting her ability to understand what she reads.
- Conners 3 (Teacher and Parent Forms):
- Purpose: To assess attention-related issues, hyperactivity, and other behavioral concerns.
- Results: Both the teacher and parent reports indicate that Sarah has difficulty sustaining attention, which could affect her academic performance.
Based on the test results, observations, and interviews, the psychologist identifies Sarah as having a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) in reading and math. The discrepancy between her cognitive abilities and academic performance, particularly in processing speed and reading fluency, supports this diagnosis. We recommend that the school develop an IEP with accommodations such as extended time on tests, audiobooks, and small-group instruction in reading and math. We also recommend specialized reading programs that focus on improving fluency and comprehension and math interventions that break down complex problems into manageable steps. Finally, we guide her parents on supporting Sarah’s learning at home, including structured reading time and positive reinforcement.
Career Assessment with Psychological Tests
Career or vocational assessments help individuals make informed career choices based on their interests, abilities, and personality traits. They can provide valuable information for job seekers looking for the best fit, career changers making decisions about what to do next, and people considering promotions or changes at their current workplace.
Organizations hire us to use psych tests in employee development and promotion processes to evaluate skills, build teams, design training, and improve workplace performance.
Career Assessments with Psychological Tests Example
Emily is about to graduate from college with a degree in liberal arts but feels uncertain about her career path. She is unsure of which careers would align with her strengths and interests. We interview Emily to understand her background, academic history, and career concerns. She expressed interest in a career that allows her to be creative and help others but felt overwhelmed by the range of options. She mentioned previous experiences in volunteer work and internships but was unsure how these experiences translate into a career. We decide on the following psychological test battery:
- Strong Interest Inventory (SII):
- Purpose: To measure Emily’s interests in various occupations, work activities, leisure activities, and school subjects.
- Results: Emily’s results indicate strong interests in the fields of social services, arts, and education. The inventory suggests potential career paths such as counseling, teaching, or roles in creative industries like content creation or graphic design.
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI):
- Purpose: To assess Emily’s personality type and how it relates to career preferences and work environments.
- Results: Emily is identified as an INFJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging), a personality type often associated with careers in counseling, writing, education, and advocacy roles. This suggests she may thrive in roles that allow for deep, meaningful connections with others and the use of her creativity and intuition.
- CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder):
- Purpose: To identify Emily’s top strengths and how she can apply them in her career.
- Results: Emily’s top strengths include Empathy, Ideation, Communication, and Strategic Thinking. These strengths align with careers that involve understanding others’ needs, generating creative ideas, and developing strategies.
- Values Assessment (e.g., the Work Values Inventory):
- Purpose: To determine which work values are most important to Emily in her career.
- Results: Emily values work that provides a sense of purpose, opportunities for creativity, and the ability to make a positive impact. She prefers roles that offer autonomy and align with her personal values.
We discussed with Emily how her interests, personality, strengths, and values intersect. We talk about careers in counseling, education, non-profit work, and creative industries. The discussion also covers the type of work environments that might suit her (e.g., smaller teams and roles that offer flexibility and creativity). We suggest practical steps for Emily, such as informational interviews, job shadowing, and internships in fields of interest. They also discuss potential graduate programs if Emily decides to pursue further education in counseling or education.
Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychological measures evaluate cognitive and behavioral functions related to brain function. We use them to provide a deeper understanding of diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, some learning disabilities, and memory issues.
Counseling and Therapy
Sometimes, people are referred by their therapist so that the results can be used in Individual Therapy to help individuals gain self-awareness and insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This can support the therapeutic process, whether just starting or ongoing, and additional insight is desired.
Self-Exploration Through Psychological Tests
Some people come to us looking to use psych tests for self-reflection and personal growth. They may be experiencing something specific, such as a life transition or specific worry, or they want to better themselves by gaining new insights into their personality, strengths, and weaknesses.
Summary and Conclusions
Throughout the process, ethical considerations, cultural sensitivity, and the potential impact on individuals must be carefully addressed. Developing a high-quality measure requires collaboration among experts in psychology, assessment, statistics, and related fields. We are proud of the work that goes into choosing the psychological tests we use. Before we start, we are also careful to explain the possibilities and limits of using psychological tests so that our clients are fully informed.
Our Work with Psychological Tests
Psych tests play a crucial role in understanding human behavior, guiding therapeutic interventions, making educational decisions, and conducting research in psychology. Psychological testing is a great way to gain new insights and understanding that can lead to self-improvement and contentment. We carefully design each battery to answer the questions you come in with, and we may add measures along the way to give greater depth and detail.
If you have any questions or feel that psychological tests may help you reach new insights, overcome challenges, and learn new ways to succeed, contact us.
