TEXAS LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
LICENSING EXAM ACTUAL 2026 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
COMPREHENSIVE & RATIONALE|INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
1. A 34-year-old psychologist is evaluating a client with
recurrent panic attacks. During intake, the client
reports experiencing sudden episodes of intense fear,
palpitations, trembling, chest discomfort, and fear of
dying that occur unexpectedly. Which feature most
strongly differentiates panic disorder from
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Persistent muscle tension
B. Excessive worry lasting at least six months
C. Unexpected recurrent panic attacks followed by
persistent concern about additional attacks
D. Difficulty concentrating
Answer: C. Unexpected recurrent panic attacks
followed by persistent concern about additional
attacks
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent
unexpected panic attacks followed by at least one month
of persistent concern about additional attacks or
1
,maladaptive behavioral changes. Generalized anxiety
disorder is primarily characterized by chronic excessive
worry occurring more days than not for at least six
months.
2. A psychologist conducting a cognitive assessment
administers the WAIS-IV. Which index is most
sensitive to deficits involving attention,
concentration, and mental manipulation?
A. Verbal Comprehension Index
B. Working Memory Index
C. Processing Speed Index
D. Perceptual Reasoning Index
Answer: B. Working Memory Index
Rationale: The Working Memory Index measures the
ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information. It
includes tasks such as Digit Span and Arithmetic and is
particularly sensitive to attentional difficulties, executive
dysfunction, and cognitive inefficiency.
2
, 3. Which ethical principle most directly requires
psychologists to avoid harming clients while
maximizing potential benefits?
A. Fidelity and Responsibility
B. Integrity
C. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
D. Justice
Answer: C. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence require
psychologists to strive to benefit those they work with
while taking care to avoid causing harm. This principle
forms the ethical foundation for competent professional
practice.
4. A client reports hearing voices commenting on his
actions for the past eight months. He also
demonstrates social withdrawal and flat affect. Which
diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Schizophreniform disorder
B. Brief psychotic disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Delusional disorder
3
, Answer: C. Schizophrenia
Rationale: Schizophrenia requires continuous signs of
disturbance lasting at least six months with at least one
month of active symptoms including hallucinations,
delusions, or disorganized speech. Negative symptoms
such as flat affect further support the diagnosis.
5. Which schedule of reinforcement produces behavior
that is most resistant to extinction?
A. Fixed ratio
B. Fixed interval
C. Variable interval
D. Variable ratio
Answer: D. Variable ratio
Rationale: Variable ratio schedules reinforce behavior
after an unpredictable number of responses, creating high
and persistent response rates. Gambling is the classic
example.
6. A psychologist discovers that a research participant
inadvertently received information about another
4
LICENSING EXAM ACTUAL 2026 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
COMPREHENSIVE & RATIONALE|INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
1. A 34-year-old psychologist is evaluating a client with
recurrent panic attacks. During intake, the client
reports experiencing sudden episodes of intense fear,
palpitations, trembling, chest discomfort, and fear of
dying that occur unexpectedly. Which feature most
strongly differentiates panic disorder from
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Persistent muscle tension
B. Excessive worry lasting at least six months
C. Unexpected recurrent panic attacks followed by
persistent concern about additional attacks
D. Difficulty concentrating
Answer: C. Unexpected recurrent panic attacks
followed by persistent concern about additional
attacks
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent
unexpected panic attacks followed by at least one month
of persistent concern about additional attacks or
1
,maladaptive behavioral changes. Generalized anxiety
disorder is primarily characterized by chronic excessive
worry occurring more days than not for at least six
months.
2. A psychologist conducting a cognitive assessment
administers the WAIS-IV. Which index is most
sensitive to deficits involving attention,
concentration, and mental manipulation?
A. Verbal Comprehension Index
B. Working Memory Index
C. Processing Speed Index
D. Perceptual Reasoning Index
Answer: B. Working Memory Index
Rationale: The Working Memory Index measures the
ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information. It
includes tasks such as Digit Span and Arithmetic and is
particularly sensitive to attentional difficulties, executive
dysfunction, and cognitive inefficiency.
2
, 3. Which ethical principle most directly requires
psychologists to avoid harming clients while
maximizing potential benefits?
A. Fidelity and Responsibility
B. Integrity
C. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
D. Justice
Answer: C. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence require
psychologists to strive to benefit those they work with
while taking care to avoid causing harm. This principle
forms the ethical foundation for competent professional
practice.
4. A client reports hearing voices commenting on his
actions for the past eight months. He also
demonstrates social withdrawal and flat affect. Which
diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Schizophreniform disorder
B. Brief psychotic disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Delusional disorder
3
, Answer: C. Schizophrenia
Rationale: Schizophrenia requires continuous signs of
disturbance lasting at least six months with at least one
month of active symptoms including hallucinations,
delusions, or disorganized speech. Negative symptoms
such as flat affect further support the diagnosis.
5. Which schedule of reinforcement produces behavior
that is most resistant to extinction?
A. Fixed ratio
B. Fixed interval
C. Variable interval
D. Variable ratio
Answer: D. Variable ratio
Rationale: Variable ratio schedules reinforce behavior
after an unpredictable number of responses, creating high
and persistent response rates. Gambling is the classic
example.
6. A psychologist discovers that a research participant
inadvertently received information about another
4
