Types of Psychological Testing
• What is it?
• Why is it
done?
• Types of
tests
• Next
steps
When administered and evaluated properly, psychological tests are accurate tools used to diagnose
and treat mental health conditions. When you hear the words “psychologic” all
kinds of questions and thoughts may run through your mind. What will they ask?
Will my answers be considered right or wrong? If my answers are wrong, what
will that say about me?
Don’t panic.
Psychologists use psychological testing in the same way
medical doctors use lab work, X-rays, and physical exams: to determine the
cause of your symptoms and recommend treatment, when necessary.
What is psychological testing?
Psychological testing is the basis for mental health
treatment. These tools are often used to measure and observe a person’s
behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. Tests are performed by a psychologist who
will evaluate the results to determine the cause, severity, and duration of
your symptoms. This will guide them in creating a treatment plan that meets
your needs.
Tests can either be objective or projective:
• OPrbjective
testing involves answering questions with set responses like yes/no or
true/false.
• ojective
testing evaluates responses to ambiguous stimuli in the hopes of uncovering
hidden emotions and internal conflicts.
Both provide valuable insight into your symptoms and help
psychologists see your overall level of functioning and distress. Psychological
tests can include formal, or “norm-referenced,” tests to measure your ability
to comprehend different concepts. They can come in the form of checklists and
questionnaires. Each test measure ensures the reliability, validity, and
objectivity necessary to avoid bias in scoring or interpreting your results. During
a psychological evaluation, assessments may also be used to help diagnose and
treat mental health conditions. Assessments include standardized tests as well
as informal tests, such as:
• surveys
• clinical
interviews
• observational
data
• medical
exams
• previous
educational and medical history
Why is psychological testing needed or recommended?
Psychological testing can be recommended for a number of
reasons including diagnosing mental health conditions and identifying troubling
behavior.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, the following
symptoms may indicate that a psychological test may be needed:
• increased
social withdrawal
• nervousness
• changes
in mood
• difficulty
completing normal tasks
• a
dramatic change in sleep and eating habits
• problems
with concentration
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these,
consider reaching out to a health mental
professional. You can use our Find a Therapist tool for help. Psychological
testing may also be used by researchers or scientists to test hypotheses about
a variety of topics that aren’t always related to psychology.
Other uses for psychological testing include:
• screening
job applicants
• organizational
development
• academic
placement
What types of psychological tests are there?
Psychologists use testing to examine a variety of factors,
including emotional intelligence, personality, mental aptitude, and
neurological functioning. Here’s a more in-depth look at the types of testing
available and the most commonly used tests for each category.
Type Tests and
Measures
Personality tests Measure
behaviors, emotions, attitudes, and behavioral and environmental
characteristics
Test names: Basic Personality Inventory (BPI), 16
Personality Factor Questionnaire
Achievement tests Measure
respondents’ intellectual interests, achievements, and cognitive abilities
Test names: Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery,
Kaufman Test of Education Achievement (K-TEA)
Attitude tests Measure
views of respondents based on how much they agree or disagree with a statement
Test names: Likert Scale, Thurstone Scale
Aptitude tests Measure
capabilities, skill sets, and projection of future success
Test names: Visual Reasoning Test, Abstract Reasoning Test
Emotional Intelligence tests Measure
emotional responses such as anger, sadness, happiness, and impulsivity
Test names: Mayor-Salovey-Caruso El Test (MSCEIT), Emotional
and Social Competence Inventory
Intelligence tests Measure
mental/developmental learning disabilities
Test names: Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Wechsler
Adult Intelligence Scale, Universal Nonverbal Intelligence
Neuropsychological tests Measure
cognitive abilities like memory, language, and executive functioning
Test names: Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety
Inventory, Ammons Quick Test
Projective tests Measure
feedback from external influences to identify unrealized emotions/conflicts
Test names: Rorschach Inkblot Test, Thematic Apperception
Test (TAT)
Observation (direct) tests Measure
immediate observable behavior; performed in a laboratory, clinical, or natural
setting
Next steps
Now that you have a better idea of what psychological
testing entails and you’re ready to move forward, you might be asking yourself,
“So, what’s next?”If you haven’t already done so, consider reaching out to your
primary care doctor, if you have one. They may be able to refer you to a mental
health professional who is qualified to administer testing and diagnose and
treat mental health conditions.If you’re unsure about seeking treatment,
consider joining a local or online mental health support group. Support groups
offer a great way to meet other people who are experiencing similar emotions
and situations. Knowing that you’re not alone can be encouraging and helpful Remember
during testing to be as honest as possible about your emotions, thoughts, and
behaviors. This is the best way to get the help and support you need.
Last medically reviewed on September 15, 2021
3 sources expanded
• Psychological
testing in the service of disability determination. (2015).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305233/
• Understanding
psychological testing and assessment. (2013).
https://www.apa.org/topics/testing-assessment-measurement/understanding
• Warning
signs of mental illness. (2018).
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness
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