EDPY 469 Unit 1 Applications and Consequences of
Psychological Testing Study Questions
Assessment results can have huge implications on a client's access to support, work opportunities,
educational opportunities, etc. With reference to our clients, why is it so important that we make every
effort to understand the "ins and outs" of psychological assessment?
Standardized procedure
Behavior Sample
Scores/categories
Norms/Standards
Prediction of non-test behavior What are the 5 key defining traits of most tests?
Explicitly outlines the procedure for test administration in a manner that respects and upholds the
integrity of the norm-based scoring criteria. Why is a manual essential in a standardized procedure?
False: A good test allows an examiner to gather information that allows for inferences and predictions to
be made about other future behaviors. True or False: Tests must be representative of the behaviors
that the examiner is trying to predict.
To measure and predict the level of magnitude of a subject's trait/quality. Based on the psychometric
view, what is the purpose of a test?
That the traits/attributes are typically possessed by most people, just to varying degrees. With regards
to testing, people, and abilities, what assumption guides the development, administration, and
interpretation of tests?
1. There will always be a degree of measurement error.
, 2. Test consumers must remember that what is being measured is not concrete but rather is a collection
of inferences that are used in predicting behavior. What are two key cautions to consider when thinking
about testing?
To develop a test where the measurement error is as small as possible. With regards to measurement
error, what is the main goal of test developers?
x=T+e
(observed score)=(true score)+(positive/negative component) What is the formula that
psychometricians use when calculating measurement error?
Norms Scores are usually interpreted by comparing examinee data to _______.
Representative
Standardization Sample Norms refer to the summary of test results for a large and _______ group of
subjects (known as a _________).
Frequency Norms help establish average performance as well as the ______ of the obtainment of high
and low scores.
Relative Norms are used to determine the ______ standing of an examinee compared to the
standardized sample.
A good test can help predict additional/future behaviors other than those sampled. If a test fails to
provide insight into non-test behavior, the test is useless. What is the biggest advantage of a good test?
How does a test "measure up" if it is not able to deliver that information?
Norm-referenced test Which type of test relies on a set of norms and requires examiners to interpret
subject data in relativity to those norms?
Criterion-referenced test When the goal is to measure the examinee not against norms but rather to
tightly defined objectives. Data is not interpreted in terms of relativity to the standardized sample,
rather against the objectives.
Psychological Testing Study Questions
Assessment results can have huge implications on a client's access to support, work opportunities,
educational opportunities, etc. With reference to our clients, why is it so important that we make every
effort to understand the "ins and outs" of psychological assessment?
Standardized procedure
Behavior Sample
Scores/categories
Norms/Standards
Prediction of non-test behavior What are the 5 key defining traits of most tests?
Explicitly outlines the procedure for test administration in a manner that respects and upholds the
integrity of the norm-based scoring criteria. Why is a manual essential in a standardized procedure?
False: A good test allows an examiner to gather information that allows for inferences and predictions to
be made about other future behaviors. True or False: Tests must be representative of the behaviors
that the examiner is trying to predict.
To measure and predict the level of magnitude of a subject's trait/quality. Based on the psychometric
view, what is the purpose of a test?
That the traits/attributes are typically possessed by most people, just to varying degrees. With regards
to testing, people, and abilities, what assumption guides the development, administration, and
interpretation of tests?
1. There will always be a degree of measurement error.
, 2. Test consumers must remember that what is being measured is not concrete but rather is a collection
of inferences that are used in predicting behavior. What are two key cautions to consider when thinking
about testing?
To develop a test where the measurement error is as small as possible. With regards to measurement
error, what is the main goal of test developers?
x=T+e
(observed score)=(true score)+(positive/negative component) What is the formula that
psychometricians use when calculating measurement error?
Norms Scores are usually interpreted by comparing examinee data to _______.
Representative
Standardization Sample Norms refer to the summary of test results for a large and _______ group of
subjects (known as a _________).
Frequency Norms help establish average performance as well as the ______ of the obtainment of high
and low scores.
Relative Norms are used to determine the ______ standing of an examinee compared to the
standardized sample.
A good test can help predict additional/future behaviors other than those sampled. If a test fails to
provide insight into non-test behavior, the test is useless. What is the biggest advantage of a good test?
How does a test "measure up" if it is not able to deliver that information?
Norm-referenced test Which type of test relies on a set of norms and requires examiners to interpret
subject data in relativity to those norms?
Criterion-referenced test When the goal is to measure the examinee not against norms but rather to
tightly defined objectives. Data is not interpreted in terms of relativity to the standardized sample,
rather against the objectives.
