Maryland Psychologist Licensing Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A licensed psychologist is evaluating a 32-year-old patient presenting
with persistent depressive symptoms, insomnia, and impaired
concentration lasting over six months. Which of the following
diagnostic criteria is essential for confirming Major Depressive
Disorder according to DSM-5 standards?
A. Presence of manic episodes in the past year
B. Symptoms occurring exclusively during substance intoxication
C. At least five depressive symptoms present nearly every day for at
least two weeks including depressed mood or anhedonia
D. Symptoms limited to grief reactions following bereavement
Answer: C
Rationale: Major Depressive Disorder requires at least five symptoms
, over a two-week period, including either depressed mood or loss of
interest, making option C the correct diagnostic requirement.
2. During a psychological assessment, a clinician administers a test that
yields consistent results across multiple administrations under similar
conditions. This property is best described as:
A. Validity
B. Reliability
C. Standardization
D. Norm-referencing
Answer: B
Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of test
scores across repeated administrations, indicating dependable
measurement.
3. A psychologist is treating a patient using systematic desensitization for
a phobia of flying. Which theoretical framework underlies this
intervention?
A. Psychoanalytic theory
B. Humanistic theory
C. Behavioral theory
D. Cognitive dissonance theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Systematic desensitization is grounded in behavioral
, theory, utilizing classical conditioning principles to reduce anxiety
responses.
4. A patient reports hearing voices that are not present and expresses
paranoid beliefs about being monitored. These symptoms are most
consistent with which disorder?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Hallucinations and delusions are hallmark symptoms of
schizophrenia, particularly involving psychotic processes.
5. In research design, the variable that is manipulated to observe its
effect on another variable is called the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Independent variable
D. Extraneous variable
Answer: C
Rationale: The independent variable is deliberately manipulated to
assess its causal effect on the dependent variable.
6. A psychologist must maintain confidentiality except in certain legal
circumstances. Which of the following is an exception to
, confidentiality?
A. Client expresses dissatisfaction with therapy
B. Client discusses past illegal activity
C. Client poses imminent risk of harm to self or others
D. Client refuses to pay for services
Answer: C
Rationale: Ethical guidelines mandate breaching confidentiality
when there is a clear and immediate danger to the client or others.
7. A child demonstrates difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and
hyperactivity across multiple settings. Which diagnosis is most
appropriate?
A. Autism Spectrum Disorder
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
C. Conduct Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD is characterized by persistent patterns of
inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity across settings.
8. In cognitive therapy, automatic negative thoughts are primarily
targeted because they:
A. Reflect unconscious conflicts
B. Are resistant to change
C. Influence emotional and behavioral responses
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A licensed psychologist is evaluating a 32-year-old patient presenting
with persistent depressive symptoms, insomnia, and impaired
concentration lasting over six months. Which of the following
diagnostic criteria is essential for confirming Major Depressive
Disorder according to DSM-5 standards?
A. Presence of manic episodes in the past year
B. Symptoms occurring exclusively during substance intoxication
C. At least five depressive symptoms present nearly every day for at
least two weeks including depressed mood or anhedonia
D. Symptoms limited to grief reactions following bereavement
Answer: C
Rationale: Major Depressive Disorder requires at least five symptoms
, over a two-week period, including either depressed mood or loss of
interest, making option C the correct diagnostic requirement.
2. During a psychological assessment, a clinician administers a test that
yields consistent results across multiple administrations under similar
conditions. This property is best described as:
A. Validity
B. Reliability
C. Standardization
D. Norm-referencing
Answer: B
Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of test
scores across repeated administrations, indicating dependable
measurement.
3. A psychologist is treating a patient using systematic desensitization for
a phobia of flying. Which theoretical framework underlies this
intervention?
A. Psychoanalytic theory
B. Humanistic theory
C. Behavioral theory
D. Cognitive dissonance theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Systematic desensitization is grounded in behavioral
, theory, utilizing classical conditioning principles to reduce anxiety
responses.
4. A patient reports hearing voices that are not present and expresses
paranoid beliefs about being monitored. These symptoms are most
consistent with which disorder?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Hallucinations and delusions are hallmark symptoms of
schizophrenia, particularly involving psychotic processes.
5. In research design, the variable that is manipulated to observe its
effect on another variable is called the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Independent variable
D. Extraneous variable
Answer: C
Rationale: The independent variable is deliberately manipulated to
assess its causal effect on the dependent variable.
6. A psychologist must maintain confidentiality except in certain legal
circumstances. Which of the following is an exception to
, confidentiality?
A. Client expresses dissatisfaction with therapy
B. Client discusses past illegal activity
C. Client poses imminent risk of harm to self or others
D. Client refuses to pay for services
Answer: C
Rationale: Ethical guidelines mandate breaching confidentiality
when there is a clear and immediate danger to the client or others.
7. A child demonstrates difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and
hyperactivity across multiple settings. Which diagnosis is most
appropriate?
A. Autism Spectrum Disorder
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
C. Conduct Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD is characterized by persistent patterns of
inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity across settings.
8. In cognitive therapy, automatic negative thoughts are primarily
targeted because they:
A. Reflect unconscious conflicts
B. Are resistant to change
C. Influence emotional and behavioral responses
