PYC4807 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT (PDF) | 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE |
100% CORRECT
1. The sten scale can be defined as which of the following?
A) The distance of a raw score from the mean expressed in standard deviation units
B) The value associated with a raw score mean of zero
C) Scores that have been transformed to fit a normal distribution
D) Scores that have been linearly transformed to eliminate negative values
Correct Answer: C) Scores that have been transformed to fit a normal distribution
Rationale: Sten scores are normalized standard scores that have been transformed to approximate
a normal distribution, with a mean of 5.5 and a standard deviation of approximately 2 . They are
not simple linear transformations like z-scores, which are the distance of a raw score from the
mean expressed in standard deviation units .
2. The deviation IQ scale refers to normalized standard scores with a mean of 100 and a
standard deviation of 15. This mean score (100) has the same relative position on the
normal distribution as which of the following scores?
A) T-score of 10
B) Stanine of 1.96
C) Sten of 5.5
D) z-score of 0
Correct Answer: D) z-score of 0
Rationale: A z-score of 0 corresponds to the mean of a distribution, which has the 50th percentile
rank . A T-score of 50 is the mean, and a sten of 5.5 is the mean for sten scores. The deviation IQ
mean of 100 is at the 50th percentile, which is the same relative position as a z-score of 0 .
3. It is recommended that the time interval when applying test-retest reliability should not
exceed the following period in the case of children's measures:
A) A few days
B) One month
C) Six months
D) One year
Correct Answer: A) A few days
Rationale: For children's measures, the time interval for test-retest reliability should be short,
typically a few days, because children's development is rapid and their abilities can change
significantly over longer periods .
4. What is the purpose of the psychometric approach to intelligence in psychology?
A) To understand the meaning and functions of intelligence
B) To measure intelligence and analyze its structure
, C) To define intelligence in terms of multiple abilities
D) To assess intelligence in educational contexts only
Correct Answer: B) To measure intelligence and analyze its structure
Rationale: The psychometric approach to intelligence focuses on the measurement of intelligence
and the analysis of its structure . This approach aims to quantify intelligence through
standardized tests and to understand how different abilities relate to each other.
5. According to Robert Sternberg's theory of intelligence, what are the three basic mental
processes underlying all intelligent behavior?
A) Analytical, creative, and practical
B) Metacomponents, performance components, and knowledge-acquisition components
C) Verbal, mathematical, and spatial
D) Fluid, crystallized, and practical
Correct Answer: B) Metacomponents, performance components, and knowledge-acquisition
components
Rationale: Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence identifies three basic mental processes:
metacomponents (executive processes), performance components (execution of strategies), and
knowledge-acquisition components (learning new information) . Analytical, creative, and
practical are the three aspects or contexts of intelligence in his theory.
6. What is the primary aim of developmental screening measures in psychological
assessment?
A) To provide a comprehensive diagnosis of developmental disorders
B) To identify children at risk for developmental difficulties
C) To measure intelligence quotient (IQ) in young children
D) To assess academic achievement in school-age children
Correct Answer: B) To identify children at risk for developmental difficulties
Rationale: Developmental screening measures are designed to identify children who may be at
risk for developmental delays or difficulties. They serve as a first step in assessment,
highlighting the need for more comprehensive evaluation.
7. The item discrimination index and the item-total correlation are measures of:
A) The frequency of choosing the correct response to an item
B) The predictive value of an item
C) Differential item functioning
D) The extent to which an item measures the same aspect as the total test
Correct Answer: D) The extent to which an item measures the same aspect as the total test
Rationale: Both the item discrimination index and the item-total correlation evaluate how well an
item differentiates between high and low performers on the test as a whole. They indicate the
extent to which an item measures the same construct as the total test .
, 8. The process of developing a psychological measure typically begins with which phase?
A) Statistical analysis phase
B) Planning phase
C) Item writing phase
D) Field testing phase
Correct Answer: B) Planning phase
Rationale: The development of a psychological measure follows a systematic progression,
starting with the planning phase . This phase involves defining the construct, determining the
purpose of the test, and specifying the target population.
9. The reliability of a measure refers to the consistency with which it measures what it is
supposed to measure. Which of the following statements about reliability is correct?
A) Reliability is concerned with the consistency of measurement
B) Reliability is concerned with whether a test measures what it claims to measure
C) Reliability is only relevant for personality tests
D) Reliability is independent of error variance
Correct Answer: A) Reliability is concerned with the consistency of measurement
Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency with which a measure assesses whatever it is
measuring . Validity, not reliability, is concerned with whether a test measures what it claims to
measure. All measures are subject to error variance, which affects reliability.
10. Construct validity refers to:
A) The degree to which a test predicts future outcomes
B) The degree to which a test correlates with other measures of the same construct
C) The degree to which a test measures the theoretical construct it is intended to measure
D) The degree to which a test covers the entire domain of the construct
Correct Answer: C) The degree to which a test measures the theoretical construct it is intended to
measure
Rationale: Construct validity is the degree to which a test measures the theoretical construct it is
intended to measure . It is the overarching type of validity that encompasses both convergent and
discriminant validity. Concurrent validity is about correlating with other measures, and content
validity is about coverage of the domain.
11. Scores on the 16 primary factors of the 16PF are used to calculate scores on the five
second-order factors. Which of the following primary factors contribute to the second-
order factor, Anxiety?
A) Dominance (Factor E)
B) Emotional Stability (Factor C)
C) Social Boldness (Factor H)
D) Emotional Stability, Tension, Apprehension, and Vigilance
Correct Answer: D) Emotional Stability, Tension, Apprehension, and Vigilance
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE |
100% CORRECT
1. The sten scale can be defined as which of the following?
A) The distance of a raw score from the mean expressed in standard deviation units
B) The value associated with a raw score mean of zero
C) Scores that have been transformed to fit a normal distribution
D) Scores that have been linearly transformed to eliminate negative values
Correct Answer: C) Scores that have been transformed to fit a normal distribution
Rationale: Sten scores are normalized standard scores that have been transformed to approximate
a normal distribution, with a mean of 5.5 and a standard deviation of approximately 2 . They are
not simple linear transformations like z-scores, which are the distance of a raw score from the
mean expressed in standard deviation units .
2. The deviation IQ scale refers to normalized standard scores with a mean of 100 and a
standard deviation of 15. This mean score (100) has the same relative position on the
normal distribution as which of the following scores?
A) T-score of 10
B) Stanine of 1.96
C) Sten of 5.5
D) z-score of 0
Correct Answer: D) z-score of 0
Rationale: A z-score of 0 corresponds to the mean of a distribution, which has the 50th percentile
rank . A T-score of 50 is the mean, and a sten of 5.5 is the mean for sten scores. The deviation IQ
mean of 100 is at the 50th percentile, which is the same relative position as a z-score of 0 .
3. It is recommended that the time interval when applying test-retest reliability should not
exceed the following period in the case of children's measures:
A) A few days
B) One month
C) Six months
D) One year
Correct Answer: A) A few days
Rationale: For children's measures, the time interval for test-retest reliability should be short,
typically a few days, because children's development is rapid and their abilities can change
significantly over longer periods .
4. What is the purpose of the psychometric approach to intelligence in psychology?
A) To understand the meaning and functions of intelligence
B) To measure intelligence and analyze its structure
, C) To define intelligence in terms of multiple abilities
D) To assess intelligence in educational contexts only
Correct Answer: B) To measure intelligence and analyze its structure
Rationale: The psychometric approach to intelligence focuses on the measurement of intelligence
and the analysis of its structure . This approach aims to quantify intelligence through
standardized tests and to understand how different abilities relate to each other.
5. According to Robert Sternberg's theory of intelligence, what are the three basic mental
processes underlying all intelligent behavior?
A) Analytical, creative, and practical
B) Metacomponents, performance components, and knowledge-acquisition components
C) Verbal, mathematical, and spatial
D) Fluid, crystallized, and practical
Correct Answer: B) Metacomponents, performance components, and knowledge-acquisition
components
Rationale: Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence identifies three basic mental processes:
metacomponents (executive processes), performance components (execution of strategies), and
knowledge-acquisition components (learning new information) . Analytical, creative, and
practical are the three aspects or contexts of intelligence in his theory.
6. What is the primary aim of developmental screening measures in psychological
assessment?
A) To provide a comprehensive diagnosis of developmental disorders
B) To identify children at risk for developmental difficulties
C) To measure intelligence quotient (IQ) in young children
D) To assess academic achievement in school-age children
Correct Answer: B) To identify children at risk for developmental difficulties
Rationale: Developmental screening measures are designed to identify children who may be at
risk for developmental delays or difficulties. They serve as a first step in assessment,
highlighting the need for more comprehensive evaluation.
7. The item discrimination index and the item-total correlation are measures of:
A) The frequency of choosing the correct response to an item
B) The predictive value of an item
C) Differential item functioning
D) The extent to which an item measures the same aspect as the total test
Correct Answer: D) The extent to which an item measures the same aspect as the total test
Rationale: Both the item discrimination index and the item-total correlation evaluate how well an
item differentiates between high and low performers on the test as a whole. They indicate the
extent to which an item measures the same construct as the total test .
, 8. The process of developing a psychological measure typically begins with which phase?
A) Statistical analysis phase
B) Planning phase
C) Item writing phase
D) Field testing phase
Correct Answer: B) Planning phase
Rationale: The development of a psychological measure follows a systematic progression,
starting with the planning phase . This phase involves defining the construct, determining the
purpose of the test, and specifying the target population.
9. The reliability of a measure refers to the consistency with which it measures what it is
supposed to measure. Which of the following statements about reliability is correct?
A) Reliability is concerned with the consistency of measurement
B) Reliability is concerned with whether a test measures what it claims to measure
C) Reliability is only relevant for personality tests
D) Reliability is independent of error variance
Correct Answer: A) Reliability is concerned with the consistency of measurement
Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency with which a measure assesses whatever it is
measuring . Validity, not reliability, is concerned with whether a test measures what it claims to
measure. All measures are subject to error variance, which affects reliability.
10. Construct validity refers to:
A) The degree to which a test predicts future outcomes
B) The degree to which a test correlates with other measures of the same construct
C) The degree to which a test measures the theoretical construct it is intended to measure
D) The degree to which a test covers the entire domain of the construct
Correct Answer: C) The degree to which a test measures the theoretical construct it is intended to
measure
Rationale: Construct validity is the degree to which a test measures the theoretical construct it is
intended to measure . It is the overarching type of validity that encompasses both convergent and
discriminant validity. Concurrent validity is about correlating with other measures, and content
validity is about coverage of the domain.
11. Scores on the 16 primary factors of the 16PF are used to calculate scores on the five
second-order factors. Which of the following primary factors contribute to the second-
order factor, Anxiety?
A) Dominance (Factor E)
B) Emotional Stability (Factor C)
C) Social Boldness (Factor H)
D) Emotional Stability, Tension, Apprehension, and Vigilance
Correct Answer: D) Emotional Stability, Tension, Apprehension, and Vigilance
