The Basics of Psychological Testing and Evaluation

Updated on January 24, 2023

Psychological testing and evaluation is a process used by mental health professionals to assess the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning of individuals. It can help to diagnose mental disorders, identify strengths, weaknesses, or skills deficits, gain insight into psychological problems, measure progress over time, evaluate treatment effectiveness, determine risk for harm to self or others, or provide an objective perspective for decision-making. Let’s take a closer look at the different elements involved in psychological testing and evaluation. 

What Is Psychological Testing? 

Psychological testing is a systematic process of gathering information about an individual’s psychological functioning in order to draw conclusions about their abilities, emotions, motivations, behaviors, or other psychological characteristics. This allows professionals to diagnose mental health disorders as well as develop appropriate interventions or treatments for those diagnosed with a disorder. The tests used are designed to measure certain aspects of personality, thinking ability, behavior patterns, or emotional states. 

Types of Tests 

There are a variety of tests that are commonly used in psychological evaluation. These include intelligence tests, achievement tests, personality inventories, aptitude tests, projective techniques, neuropsychological testing, and diagnostic interviews. Each type of test has its own purpose and provides information about a person’s mental functioning. 

Intelligence Tests  

Intelligence tests measure an individual’s ability to reason abstractly and solve problems. They are often used to diagnose specific learning disabilities or intellectual disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome. Common intelligence tests include the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (SBIS), and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC). 

Achievement Tests 

Achievement tests measure an individual’s knowledge in a specific area such as mathematics or reading comprehension. These tests are often used to determine if an individual has reached certain educational milestones or if they may need additional support in order to succeed academically. Common achievement tests include the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJIII) and the Stanford Test of Academic Skills (STAS). 

Personality Inventories 

Personality inventories measure an individual’s preferences for certain behaviors or activities. These tests can help identify areas where an individual may struggle with self-control or impulsivity. Common personality inventories include the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI).  

The Process 

Psychological testing typically involves several steps including administration of the selected test(s) by a qualified professional; scoring the test results; interpreting the results; formulating conclusions about the individual’s functioning based on those results; providing feedback to the individual about their results; discussing any potential treatments that could benefit them; creating a plan to monitor progress over time; and making recommendations for further services if needed. It is important that all steps are completed by someone with extensive knowledge in administering these types of assessments in order to ensure accurate interpretation and effective use of the data collected from these tests.

The Importance of Understanding Psychological Testing 

Psychological testing can be beneficial for individuals who are struggling with mental health issues because it can provide insight into underlying causes of symptoms and help craft specific treatment plans that target those causes. However, it is important for individuals to understand what psychological testing entails before they undergo any evaluation so that they know what to expect during the process and how best to prepare for it. Additionally, understanding how results from these tests are interpreted by psychologists can help individuals better understand their diagnosis and treatment plan recommendation as well as ensure that any recommendations made by the psychologist are based on accurate information gathered during the assessment phase of treatment. 

Psychological testing is an important tool used by mental health professionals in order to accurately assess an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. The process involves selecting the appropriate type(s) of assessment(s) based on what information is being sought; administering those assessments by a qualified professional; scoring the results; interpreting them appropriately; providing feedback to the individual about their results; formulating conclusions based on those results; creating a plan to monitor progress over time; discussing potential treatments that could be beneficial; and making recommendations for further services if needed. With this powerful tool available to mental health professionals today, they are able to provide more accurate diagnoses so they can better meet their clients’ needs.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.