ADMINISTER PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
Psychologicaltest refers to a device or procedure designed to measure variablesrelated to psychology e.g. personality, intelligence, aptitude,values etc (Cohen et al, 2013). Tests differ in their administrationprocedures as well as in their scoring and interpretation procedures.Counselorsmake use of tests for assessment and guidance to assist individualsto increase their sense of self-knowledge, make sound decisions andto acquire new behaviours in their lives. There are five stepsinvolved in administeringpsychological tests.
Thefirst step involves selecting the sources of information to be use inthe process. After defining the purpose for testing, the counselorproceeds to look at the variety of sources of information onavailable tests. These may include review books, journals, testmanuals, and textbooks on testing and measurement (Anastasi, 2010).
Thesecond step involves administering the test. While administeringpsychological test administration manual instructions need to befollowed in order to make comparison of an individual`s score withthe test`s norm group. Tests used in counseling programs are bestadministered under controlled circumstances. Issues of individualversus group administration also need to be consideration (Cohen etal. 2013).
Thethird step involves scoring the results of the test. Scoring of testsusually adhere to the instructions stipulated in the test manual. Thecounselor is at liberty to have the test electronically scored ratherthan hand scored. It is however preferred by most psychologists thatthe test is score is best done by a electronically as this reduceschances of it been biased.
Thefourth step in the process of administering test is interpreting theresults. It is essential to assert that the interpretation depends onthe views of the counsellor. In this regard, it is evident that theinterpretation may be brief or complex. Additionally, theinterpretation may be detailed or plain theory (Tinsley& Bradley, 2010).
Thelast step in administering the test is communicating. Giving feedbackof the result of the tests to the client completes the process oftesting. In this stage the therapeutic skills of counselors comefully into play as the counselor may choose to use either verbal ornon-verbal form of communication to convey the output to the client(Tinsley & Bradley, 2010).
Inconclusion, test results provide both descriptive and objectiveinformation that enable counselors to assist clients in making thechoices that will impact their lives.
Anastasi,A. (2012). Psychologicaltesting(6th ed.). New York: Macmillan.
Tinsley,H. E. A., & Bradley, R. W. (2010). Testinterpretation. Journal of Counseling & Development,64(7), 462-466. (EJ 333 980).
Cohen,R. J., Swerdlik, M. E., & Sturman, E. D. (2013). PsychologicalTesting and Assessment: An Introduction to Tests and Measurement[8th Ed.]. New York: McGraw-Hill.