Psychology has a long tradition of scientific research on human behavior and personality.

Through this research, a multitude of psychological assessment scales have been developed to objectively and precisely measure various aspects of psychological functioning and personality characteristics. Psychologists are trained in the administration, scoring and interpretation of psychological tests. The use of psychological tests, in a therapeutic or diagnostic setting, should be restricted to licensed psychologists. Other mental health professionals (psychiatrists, social workers, counselors) are usually not trained in the administration, scoring and interpretation of psychological tests.

Psychological tests can be used to assess: Intellectual ability (IQ) - The concept of IQ was originally developed as a comparison between a person's chronological age and intellectual age. It was called an "intelligence quotient" because the intellectual age was divided by the chronological age to arrive at a quotient. The IQ concept was abandoned in favor of a derived standard score, which is a better way to compare the scores of different individuals, but the IQ label has been maintained. Most people do not realize that an IQ score is useless as a comparative measure of intelligence, without knowing the which test was used to obtain the score. The most well-known tests of intelligence are the Wechsler Scales, the Stanford-Binet, the Slosson, and some nonverbal scales. However, there are many other ability tests that measure intellectual functioning. Memory functioning - Most intelligence tests incorporate memory assessment as part of the assessment of intelligence, but memory can be impaired without a demonstrated decline in intellectual ability. There are several scales of memory assessment, as well as scales that are designed to measure malingered memory problems, and different types of memory. Personality traits - Psychologists have identified many different personality traits which are present in all people. Different combinations of personality characteristics contributes to the vast range of individual differences we observe among people. Some personality tests are designed to describe personality differences among "normal" individuals, while others are designed to identify abnormal patterns of personality, and still others are designed to identify specific "personality disorders" according to diagnostic characteristics. Personality assessment can be important in the selection of people for different types of

jobs (police officer, executive), in determining psychological treatment needs, and in the assessment of criminals. Pathological psychological problems - Some psychological tests identify individuals with serious psychological problems. These tests have been used in various settings, including security screening, criminal sentencing, child custody decisions, gun control, and police selection, to name a few. Psychological tests exist to measure Depression, Anxiety, Paranoia, Psychopathic Deviance, Schizophrenia, Personality Disorders, and many other clinical conditions. Life stress issues - Psychologists can assess the effects of stress on different individuals in various settings, which can be used to identify people who will need additional help to manage certain problems. Neuropsychological problems - Psychologists can identify the extent of brain damage suffered during a trauma by measuring the behavioral deficits and personality changes that have developed. These tests can provide valuable information about the extent of injuries to the brain, as well as providing a direction for rehabilitation for individuals with brain injuries. Relationship conflicts - Relationship conflicts often result from competing personality styles, differences in values or differences in attitudes. Psychologists can administer tests to couples which will highlight potential problem areas in a relationship. This is a valuable aid when helping couples resolve relationship problems. Sensori-motor problems - Some types of brain injuries and malignancies produce unusual sensory problems. Psychologists have developed assessment scales to identify these sensory problems. These test results can help plot the course of an illness, or can measure progress in cognitive rehabilitation. Motivational factors - "Why we do what we do" is an important question for employers, retailers, corrections psychologists, judges and individuals facing important life decisions. Psychologists have developed tests of motivation which help to identify what is important to different people in predicting or influencing their behavior. Child abuse risk factors - Psychologists are often asked to predict the risk of child abuse within a family that has experienced past abuse. The identification of risk factors, and the design of tests to measure those factors, can be used to lower the incidence of repeated child abuse, as well as measuring progress in the psychological treatment of abusers. This leads to greater safety for children, and also helps treating psychologists working with abusers.
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Kinds of tests Most tests are designed to measure one of several characteristics: (1) learning ability, (2) learning achievement, (3) aptitude and interest, or (4) personality. Tests of learning ability attempt to predict how well an individual will perform in a situation requiring intellectual ability. These tests are sometimes called intelligence tests, mental ability tests, academic aptitude tests, or scholastic aptitude tests. A learning ability test consists of a standard set of tasks or questions. It enables a student to demonstrate the skills learned throughout the individual's life, both in and out of school. Tests of learning ability do not measure how "bright" a person is. Educators use the terms intelligence and mental ability simply to describe a person's ability to solve certain kinds of problems typically involved in schoolwork. These terms do not reflect a person's ability in all areas. . Achievement tests try to measure how much an individual has learned about a particular subject, rather than the general ability for learning. Schools use achievement tests more than any other kind of test. Throughout primary school, secondary school, and college, most teachers rely on such tests when rating a student's progress. Special achievement tests are used to licence people in such professions as law, medicine, and accounting. Many teachers prepare achievement tests that closely follow their own method of instruction. They also use standardized achievement tests. Some schools ask students to take standardized achievement tests, as well as scholastic ability tests, for admission or placement. There are two types of achievement tests--norm-referenced and criterion-referenced. In normreferenced tests, each person's performance is compared with those of others who took the test. A student who answers some questions incorrectly would still rank highly if most other students answered a larger number of questions incorrectly. But in criterion-referenced tests, each person's performance is compared with a predetermined standard or criterion. For example, a teacher might decide that 90 per cent of the questions on a test must be answered correctly for a student to earn a passing grade. Aptitude and interest tests reveal an individual's talents or preferences for certain activities. A person who likes to tinker with machinery would probably score highly on a test of mechanical aptitude. Such a person has an aptitude for mechanical work--and at least a fairly good chance of succeeding at it. Interest tests are also known as interest inventories. In them, a person indicates his or her preferences among large groups of activities, ideas, and circumstances. One of these tests might ask, "Would you rather fix a broken clock, keep a set of accounts, or paint a picture?" Most individuals prefer certain types of activities over others. The pattern of answers reveals the strength of a person's interest in various fields.

Personality tests attempt to measure an individual's personal traits scientifically. Some standardized personality tests consist of lists of personal questions requiring yes or no answers. The answers can be analysed for various characteristics. For example, a person might score high in social introversion, which would indicate a strong preference for being alone. Such a person might find scientific research more satisfying as a career than teaching science in a classroom. Another type of personality test, the projective test, requires individuals to tell what certain images mean to them. In a Rorschach test, for example, a person describes what he or she sees in a number of standardized inkblots. A trained counsellor can often recognize behavioural tendencies in these descriptions. Psychologists use personality tests as clues for further study of an individual. They do not regard them as conclusive evidence about the individual's personality. Most personality tests are less reliable and less valid than the other kinds of tests discussed here. Some people criticize their use as an invasion of privacy. http://www.a2zpsychology.com/articles/importance_of_testing_in_psychology.htm

I would like to take a test .... You need to consider why you need to be tested and what you would like to get out of being tested. If you would like to practice taking a sample test, please visit 'Companies that offer Practice Tests'. You may also be interested in A Test Taker's Guide and The Code of Good Practice in Psychological Testing, as well as some Frequently Asked Questions. About Educational Testing Educational testing can be useful in matters concerning childrens learning, well-being and development. It is also relevant to adult learning. Educational testing is often used in determining a childs special educational needs. This form of testing can be undertaken by the following:

Some teachers and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators are trained to assess some learning difficulties - please check with your local school/college or Local Authority; Qualified testers who hold the Societys Test User: Educational, Ability & Attainment qualification (CCET), who have demonstrated their competence in using tests of ability in educational settings; Chartered Educational and Child Psychologists with expertise in assessment can undertake a broader range of assessments with children of all ages and adult learners. Please see the Directory of Chartered Psychologists. This has a searchable database and you should be able to find a psychologist in your area. Psychologists charge professional fees comparable with other professionals.

About Health Testing Testing and assessment in this area is used for a wide range of circumstances. This includes adult, child and family mental health services, services for people with learning disabilities, neurological assessment following illness or injury, physical and sensory impairments, counselling, and services for people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It can also help promote self-awareness of individuals. This form of testing can be undertaken by Chartered Psychologists who are trained in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology or Clinical Neuropsychology. Please see the Directory of Chartered Psychologists. This has a searchable database and you should be able to find a psychologist in your area. Psychologists charge professional fees comparable with other professionals. A qualification in psychological testing in health and social care settings is currently under development by the Society. About Occupational Testing Testing and assessment is used by employers in recruitment, selection, promotion and development of staff, and to facilitate better working practices. Testing in this area can also be used by individuals for career counselling and self-development purposes. This form of testing can be undertaken by the following: Chartered Psychologists specialising in Occupational Psychology can provide testing services. Please see the Directory of Chartered Psychologists. This has a searchable database and you should be able to find a psychologist in your area. Psychologists charge professional fees comparable with other professionals. Human Resources Officers (Personnel) who hold the Societys qualifications in test use and a current entry on the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU) are employed by many organisations. Careers guidance advisers, outplacement counsellors and coaches who also hold the Societys qualifications in test use and a current entry on the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU). Some qualified occupational test users offer independent services and can be found by visiting the subscription-based listings on the Directory of Qualified Testers. For those of you who are unfamiliar with assessment and testing terminology used in a work and organisational setting, you may want to refer to Getting to grips with terminology
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Psychologists primarily use tests to supplement or assist in various phases of treatment. Test results are used along with clinical discussions to help you move from one phase of treatment to the next. Tests that measure symptoms provide a picture of what needs to change, and tests that reveal unique traits give the psychologist an idea of how to assist you. From the initial assessment to the closing of treatment, tests results provide vital information that keeps the therapeutic experience relevant for you.

Assessment
Psychologists use tests during one of your fist few sessions to assess your problem. A psychologist tests at this point to supplement his clinical interview and to determine the severity, duration and extent of your problems. A test such as the Beck Depression Inventory, for example, aids in making these measurements.
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Setting Goals
Psychologists use test results to help you set goals for improvement. Psychologists use unusual results, such as a high occurrence of depression, to develop specific and measurable goals. Goals such as "reduce the frequently of depression to half of that initially discovered" are clear and can be measured to show improvement.

Determining Interventions
Psychologists also use tests to identify the most effective interventions for you. Personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, can reveal much about how you think and the way you relate to other people. These tests reveal your strengths as well as your weaknesses. For example, if your test results reveal that you are a highly analytical person, interventions such as reading and rational analysis of problems may be effective in helping you make desired changes.

Reviewing Progress
Most psychologists use tests as a way of reviewing what you have accomplished in treatment. If you scored high on the Beck Anxiety Inventory in your initial assessment, re-taking the test three months later may reveal lower anxiety and provide you with momentum to keep up the work.

Closure

A psychologist does not want to keep you dependent on her. Her goal is to build your competence and confidence so you can manage your problems on your own. Psychologists often use tests as a way of ending treatment. Tests results are used as evidence in closing discussions about the progress you have achieved.
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