Assessment And Test

Question 1

Appraisal can be defined as

a. the process of assessing or estimating attributes.
b. testing which is always performed in a group setting.
c. testing which is always performed on a single individual.
d. a pencil and paper measurement of assessing attributes.

Answer 1

The process of assessing or estimating attributes.

Appraisal is a broad term which includes more than merely “testing clients.” Appraisal could include a survey, observations, or even clinical interviews.

Question 2

A test can be defined as a systematic method of measuring a sample of behavior. Test format refers to the manner in which test items are presented. The format of an essay test is considered a(n) ________ format.

a. subjective
b. objective
c. very precise
d. concise

Answer 2

Subjective.

A “subjective” paradigm relies mainly on the scorer’s opinion. If the rater knows the test taker’s attributes, the rater’s “personal bias” can significantly impact upon the rating. For example, an attractive examinee might be given a higher rating. (This is the so-called halo effect.)

Question 3

The National Counselor Exam (NCE) is a(n) ________ test because the scoring procedure is specific.

a. subjective
b. objective
c. projective
d. subtest

Answer 3

Objective.

Question 4

A short answer test is a(n) ________ test.

a. objective
b. culture-free
c. forced choice
d. free choice

Answer 4

Free Choice.

Some exams will call this a “free response” format. In any case, the salient point is that the person taking the test can respond in any manner he or she chooses. Although free choice response patterns can yield more information, they often take more time to score and increase subjectivity (i.e., there is more than one correct answer).

Question 5

The NCE and the CPCE would be examples of a(n) ________ test.
a. free choice
b. forced choice
c. projective
d. intelligence

Answer 5

Forced Choice.

Forced choice” items are sometimes known as “recognition items.” This book is composed of forced choice/recognition items. On some tests this format is used to control for the “social desirability phenomenon” which asserts that the person puts the answer he or she feels is socially acceptable (i.e., the test provides alternatives that are all equal in terms of social desirability). The MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), for example, uses forced choices to create a “lie scale” composed of human frailties we all possess. This scale, therefore, ferrets out those individuals who tried to make themselves look good (i.e., the way they believe they “should” be).

Question 6

The ________ index indicates the percentage of individuals who
answered each item correctly.

a. difficulty
b. critical
c. intelligence
d. personal

Answer 6

Difficulty.

The higher the number of people who answer a question correctly, the easier the item is—and vice versa. A 0.5 difficulty index (also called a difficulty value) would suggest that 50% of those tested answered the question correctly, while 50% did not. Most theorists agree that a “good measure” provides a wide range of items that even a poor performer will answer correctly.

Question 7

Short answer tests and projective measures utilize free response items. The NCE and the CPCE uses forced choice or so-called ________ items.

a. vague
b. subjective
c. recognition
d. numerical

Answer 7

Recognition.

Recognition items give the examinee two or more alternatives.

Question 8

A true/false test has ________ recognition items.
a. similar
b. free choice
c. dichotomous
d. no

Answer 8

Dichotomous

“Dichotomy” simply means that you are presented with two opposing choices. This explains why choice “a” is definitely incorrect. When a test gives the person taking the exam three or more forced choices (e.g., the NCE, the CPCE, or this book) then psychometricians call it a “multipoint item.”

Question 9

A test format could be normative or ipsative. In the normative
format

a. each item depends on the item before it.
b. each item depends on the item after it.
c. the client must possess an IQ within the normal range.
d. each item is independent of all other items.

Answer 9

Each item is independent of all other items.

Ipsative measures compare traits within the same individual; they do not compare a person to other persons who took the instrument. The Kuder Career Planning instruments are often cited as falling into this category. The ipsative measure allows the person being tested to compare items.

Question 10

A client who takes a normative test

a. cannot legitimately be compared to others who have taken the test.
b. can legitimately be compared to others who have taken the test.
c. could not have taken an IQ test.
d. could not have taken a personality test.

Answer 10

Can legitimately be compared to others who have taken the test.

Question 11

In an ipsative measure the person taking the test must compare
items to one another. The result is that

a. an ipsative measure cannot be utilized for career guidance.
b. you cannot legitimately compare two or more people who
have taken an ipsative test.
c. an ipsative measure is never a forced choice format.
d. an ipsative measure is never reliable.

Answer 11

You cannot legitimately compare two or more people who have taken an ipsative test.

Since the ipsative measure does not reveal absolute strengths, comparing one person’s score to another is relatively meaningless.

Question 12

Tests are often classified as speed tests versus power tests. A timed typing test used to hire secretaries would be

a. a power test.
b. neither a speed test nor a power test.
c. a speed test.
d. a fine example of an ipsative measure.

Answer 12

A speed test.

In terms of difficulty, a speed test is really intended to be fairly easy. The difficulty is induced by time limitations, not the difficulty of the tasks or the questions themselves.

Question 13

A counseling test consists of 300 forced response items. The person taking the test can take as long as he or she wants to answer the questions.

a. This is most likely a projective measure.
b. This is most likely a speed test.
c. This is most likely a power test.
d. This is most likely an invalid measure.

Answer 13

This is most likely a power test.

Question 14

An achievement test measures maximum performance or present level of skill. Tests of this nature are also called attainment tests, while a personality test or interest inventory measures

a. typical performance.
b. minimum performance.
c. unconscious traits.
d. self-esteem by always relying on a Q-Sort design.

Answer 14

Typical performance.

Question 15

In a spiral test

a. the items get progressively easier.
b. the difficulty of the items remains constant.
c. the client must answer each question in a specified period
of time.
d. the items get progressively more difficult.

Answer 15

The items get progressively more difficult.

Just remember that a spiral staircase seems to get more difficult to climb as you walk up higher.

Question 16

In a cyclical test

a. the items get progressively easier.
b. the difficulty of the items remains constant.
c. you have several sections which are spiral in nature.
d. the client must answer each question in a specified period
of time.

Answer 16

You have several sections which are spiral in nature.

In each section the questions would go from easy ones to those
which are more difficult.

Question 17

A test battery is considered

a. a horizontal test.
b. a vertical test.
c. a valid test.
d. a reliable test.

Answer 17

A horizontal test.

In a test battery, several measures are used to produce results that could be more accurate than those derived from merely using a single source.

Question 18

In a counseling research study, two groups of subjects took a test with the same name. However, when they talked with each other they discovered that the questions were different. The researcher assured both groups that they were given the same test. How is this possible?

a. The researcher is not telling the truth. The groups could not possibly have taken the same test.
b. The test was horizontal.
c. The test was not a power test.
d. The researcher gave parallel forms of the same test.

Answer 18

The researcher gave parallel forms of the same test.

When a test has two versions or forms that are interchangeable they are termed parallel forms or equivalent forms of the same test. From a statistical/psychometric standpoint each form must have the same mean, standard error, and other statistical components.

Question 19

The most critical factors in test selection are

a. the length of the test and the number of people who took the test in the norming process.
b. horizontal versus vertical.
c. validity and reliability.
d. spiral versus cyclical format.

Answer 19

Validity and reliability.

Validity refers to whether the test measures what it says it measures while reliability tells how consistent a test measures an attribute.

Question 20

Which is more important, validity or reliability?

a. Reliability.
b. They are equally important.
c. Validity.
d. It depends on the test in question.

Answer 20

Validity.

Experts nearly always consider validity the number one factor in the construction of a test. A test must measure what it purports to measure.

Question 21

In the field of testing, validity refers to

a. whether the test really measures what it purports to measure.
b. whether the same test gives consistent measurement.
c. the degree of cultural bias in a test.
d. the fact that numerous tests measure the same traits.

Answer 21

Whether the test really measures what it purports to measure.

Question 22

A counselor peruses a testing catalog in search of a test which
will repeatedly give consistent results. The counselor

a. is interested in reliability.
b. is interested in validity.
c. is looking for information which is not available.
d. is magnifying an unimportant issue.

Answer 22

Is interested in reliability.

Question 23

Which measure would yield the highest level of reliability?

a. A TAT, projective test popular with psychodynamic helpers.
b. The WAIS-IV, a popular IQ test.
c. The MMPI-2, a popular personality test.
d. A very accurate postage scale.

Answer 23

A very accurate postage scale.

In the real world physical measurements are more reliable than psychological ones.

Question 24

Construct validity refers to the extent that a test measures an abstract trait or psychological notion. An example would be

a. height.
b. weight.
c. ego strength.
d. the ability to name all men who have served as U.S. presidents.

Answer 24

Ego Strength.

Any trait you cannot “directly” measure or observe can be considered a construct.

Question 25

Face validity refers to the extent that a test

a. looks or appears to measure the intended attribute.
b. measures a theoretical construct.
c. appears to be constructed in an artistic fashion.
d. can be compared to job performance.

Answer 25

Looks or appears to measure the intended attribute.

Face validity—like a person’s face—merely tells you whether the test looks like it measures the intended trait.

Question 26

A job test which predicted future performance on a job very well would

a. have high criterion/predictive validity.
b. have excellent face validity.
c. have excellent construct validity.
d. not have incremental validity or synthetic validity.

Answer 26

Have high criterion/predictive validity.

Question 27

A new IQ test which yielded results nearly identical to other standardized measures would be said to have

a. good concurrent validity.
b. good face validity.
c. superb internal consistency.
d. all of the above.

Answer 27

Good concurrent validity.

Concurrent validity answers the question of how well your test stacks up against a well-established instrument that measures the same behavior, construct, or trait.

Question 28

When a counselor tells a client that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will predict her ability to handle graduate work, the counselor is referring to

a. good concurrent validity.
b. construct validity.
c. face validity.
d. predictive validity.

Answer 28

Predictive validity.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), the American College Test (ACT), and public opinion polls are effective only if they have high predictive validity, which is the power to accurately describe future behavior or events. Again the subtypes of criterion validity are concurrent and predictive.

Question 29

A reliable test is ________ valid.

a. always
b. 90%
c. not always
d. 80%

Answer 29

Not always

Question 30

A valid test is ________ reliable.

a. not always
b. always
c. never
d. 80%

Answer 30

Always

Question 31

One method of testing reliability is to give the same test to the same group of people two times and then correlate the scores. This is called

a. test–retest reliability.
b. equivalent forms reliability.
c. alternate forms reliability.
d. the split-half method.

Answer 31

Test–retest reliability.

Question 32

One method of testing reliability is to give the same population alternate forms of the identical test. Each form will have the same psychometric/statistical properties as the original instrument. This is known as

a. test–retest reliability.
b. equivalent or alternate forms reliability.
c. the split-half method.
d. internal consistency.

Answer 32

Equivalent or alternate forms reliability.

Question 33

A counselor doing research decided to split a standardized test in half by using the even items as one test and the odd items as a second test and then correlating them. The counselor

a. used an invalid procedure to test reliability.
b. was testing reliability via the split-half correlation method.
c. was testing reliability via the equivalent forms method.
d. was testing reliability via the inter-rater method.

Answer 33

Was testing reliability via the split-half correlation method.

Question 34

Which method of reliability testing would be useful with an essay test but not with a test of algebra problems?

a. Test–retest.
b. Alternate forms.
c. Split-half.
d. Inter-rater/inter-observer.

Answer 34

Inter-rater/inter-observer.

This method is also called “scorer reliability” and is utilized with subjective tests such as projectives to ascertain whether the scoring criteria are such that two persons who grade or assess
the responses will produce roughly the same score.

Question 35

A reliability coefficient of 1.00 indicates

a. a lot of variance in the test.
b. a score with a high level of error.
c. a perfect score which has no error.
d. a typical correlation on most psychological and counseling
tests.

Answer 35

A perfect score which has no error.

This generally occurs only in physical
measurement.

Question 36

An excellent psychological or counseling test would have a reliability coefficient of

a. 50.
b. .90.
c. 1.00.
d. –.90.

Answer 36

.90.

Ninety percent of the score measured the attribute in question, while 10% of the score is indicative of error

Question 37

A researcher working with a personality test discovers that the test has a reliability coefficient of .70 which is somewhat typical. This indicates that

a. 70% of the score is accurate while 30% is inaccurate.
b. 30% of the people who are tested will receive accurate scores.
c. 70% of the people who are tested will receive accurate
scores.
d. 30% of the score is accurate while 70% is inaccurate.

Answer 37

70% of the score is accurate while 30% is inaccurate.

Seventy percent of the obtained score on the test represented the true score on the personality attribute, while 30% of the obtained score could be accounted for by error. Seventy percent is true variance while 30% constitutes error variance.

Question 38

A career counselor is using a test for job selection purposes. An
acceptable reliability coefficient would be ________ or higher.

a. .20
b. .55
c. .80
d. .70

Answer 38

.80

Although .70 is generally acceptable for most psychological attributes, for admissions for jobs, schools, and so on, it should be at least .80 and some experts will not settle for less than .90.

Question 39

The same test is given to the same group of people using the test–retest reliability method. The correlation between the first and second administration is .70. The true variance (i.e., the percentage of shared variance or the level of the same thing measured in both) is

a. 70%.
b. 100%.
c. 50%.
d. 49%.

Answer 39

70%

Here’s the key to simplifying a question such as this. To demonstrate the variance of one factor accounted for by another you merely square the correlation (i.e., reliability coefficient). So .70 × .70 = .49 and .49 × 100 = 49%. Your exam could refer to this principle as the coefficient of determination

Question 40

IQ means

a. a query of intelligence.
b. indication of intelligence.
c. intelligence quotient.
d. intelligence questions for test construction.

Answer 40

Intelligence quotient.

Question 41

________ did research and concluded that intelligence was normally distributed like height or weight and that it was primarily genetic.

a. Spearman
b. Guilford
c. Williamson
d. Galton

Answer 41

Galton.

Francis Galton felt intelligence was a single or so-called unitary factor.

Question 42

Francis Galton felt intelligence was

a. a unitary faculty.
b. best explained via a two factor theory.
c. best explained via the person’s environment.
d. fluid and crystallized in nature.

Answer 42

A unitary faculty.

Question 43

J. P. Guilford isolated 120 factors which added up to intelligence. He also is remembered for his

a. thoughts on convergent and divergent thinking.
b. work on cognitive therapy.
c. work on behavior therapy.
d. work to create the first standardized IQ test.

Answer 43

Thoughts on convergent and divergent thinking.

Using factor analysis, Guilford determined that there were 120 elements/abilities which added up to intelligence. Two of the dimensions—convergent and divergent thinking—are still popular terms today. Convergent thinking occurs when divergent thoughts and ideas are combined into a singular concept. Divergent thinking is the ability to generate a novel idea.

Question 44

A counselor is told by his supervisor to measure the internal consistency reliability (i.e., homogeneity) of a test but not to divide the test in halves. The counselor would need to utilize

a. the split-half method.
b. the test–retest method.
c. the Kuder–Richardson coefficients of equivalence.
d. cross-validation.

Answer 44

The Kuder–Richardson coefficients of equivalence.

Question 45

The first intelligence test was created by

a. David Wechsler.
b. J. P. Guilford.
c. Francis Galton.
d. Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon.

Answer 45

Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon.

Question 46

Today, the Stanford–Binet IQ test is

a. a nonstandardized measure.
b. a standardized measure.
c. a projective measure.
d. b and c.

Answer 46

A standardized measure.

The Stanford–Binet is standardized because the scoring and administration procedures are formal and well delineated.

Question 47

IQ stands for intelligence quotient, which is expressed by

a. CA/MA × 100.
b. CA/MA × 100.
c. MA/CA × 50.
d. MA/CA × 100.

Answer 47

MA/CA × 100.

Question 48

The Binet stressed age-related tasks. Utilizing this method, a 9-year-old task would be one which

a. only a 10-year-old child could answer.
b. only an 8-year-old child could answer.
c. 50% of the 9-year-olds could answer correctly.
d. 75% of the 9-year-olds could answer correctly.

Answer 48

50% of the 9-year-olds could answer correctly.

A 9-year-old task was defined as one in which one half of the 9-year-olds tested could answer successfully.

Question 49

Simon and Binet pioneered the first IQ test around 1905. The test was created to

a. assess high school seniors in America.
b. assess U.S. military recruits.
c. discriminate children without an intellectual disability from children with an intellectual disability.
d. measure genius in the college population.

Answer 49

Discriminate children without an intellectual disability from children with an intellectual disability.

The Minister of Public Instruction for the Paris schools wanted a test to identify children with an intellectual disability so that they could be taught separately. The assumption was made that intelligence was basically the ability to understand school-related material.

Question 50

Today the Stanford–Binet is used from age 2 to adulthood. The IQ formula has been replaced by the

a. SAS.
b. SUDS.
c. entropy.
d. KR-20formula.

Answer 50

SAS.

SAS stands for “standard age score.”

Question 51

Most experts would agree that the Wechsler IQ tests gained
popularity, as the Binet

a. must be administered in a group.
b. favored the geriatric population.
c. didn’t seem to be the best test for adults.
d. was biased toward women.

Answer 51

Didn’t seem to be the best test for adults.

Question 52

The best IQ test for a 22-year-old single male would be the

a. WPPSI-III.
b. WAIS-IV.
c. WISC-IV.
d. any computer-based IQ test.

Answer 52

WAIS-IV.

The WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), is intended for ages 16–90 years.

Question 53

The best intelligence test for a sixth-grade girl would be the

a. WPPSI-IV.
b. WAIS-IV.
c. WISC-IV.
d. Merrill–Palmer.

Answer 53

WISC-IV.

The WISC-IV is recommended for children from ages 6–16 years and 11 months.

Question 54

The best intelligence test for a kindergartner would be them

a. WPPSI-IV.
b. WAIS-IV.
c. WISC-IV.
d. Myers–Briggs Type Indicator.

Answer 54

WPPSI-IV.

Question 55

The mean on the Wechsler and the Stanford–Binet Intelligence scales (SB5) is ________ and the standard deviation is ________.

a. 100;100
b. 100; 15 Wechsler, 16 Stanford–Binet
c. 100;20
d. 100;1

Answer 55

100; 15 Wechsler, 16 Stanford–Binet.

IQs above 100 are above average and those shy of 100 are below average

Question 56

Group IQ tests like the Otis–Lennon, the Lorge–Thorndike, and the California Test of Mental Abilities are popular in school settings. The advantage is that

a. group tests are quicker to administer.
b. group tests are superior in terms of predicting school
performance.
c. group tests always have a higher degree of reliability.
d. individual IQ tests are not appropriate for school children.

Answer 56

Group tests are quicker to administer.

Question 57

The group IQ test movement began

a. In 1905.
b. with the work of Binet.
c. with the Army Alpha and Army Beta in World War I.
d. with Freudian psychoanalysis and the psychodynamic
movement.

Answer 57

With the Army Alpha and Army Beta in World War I.

Note the word group.

Question 58

In a culture-fair test

a. items are known to the subject regardless of his or her culture.
b. the test is not standardized.
c. culture-free items cannot be utilized.
d. African Americans generally score higher than whites.

Answer 58

Items are known to the subject regardless of his or her culture.

The culture-fair test attempts to expunge items which would be known only to an individual due to his or her background.

Question 59

The black versus white IQ controversy was sparked mainly by a
1969 article written by ________.

a. John Ertl
b. Raymond B. Cattell
c. Arthur Jensen
d. Robert Williams

Answer 59

Arthur Jensen

Question 60

The MMPI-2 is

a. an IQ test.
b. a neurological test.
c. a projective personality test.
d. a standardized personality test.

Answer 60

A standardized personality test.

The original version of this instrument was created in 1940. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, the current version used since 1989, is known as a “self-report” personality inventory.

Question 61

The word psychometric means

a. a form of measurement used by a neurologist.
b. any form of mental testing.
c. a mental trait which cannot be measured.
d. the test relies on a summated or linear rating scale.

Answer 61

Any form of mental testing.

Psychometrics literally refers to the branch of counseling or psychology which focuses on testing.

Question 62

In a projective test the client is shown

a. something which is highly reinforcing.
b. something which is highly charged from an emotional
standpoint.
c. a and b.
d. neutral stimuli.

Answer 62

Neutral stimuli.

Question 63

The 16 PF reflects the work of

a. Raymond B. Cattell.
b. Carl Jung.
c. James McKeen Cattell.
d. Oscar K. Buros.

Answer 63

Raymond B. Cattell.

The 16 PF (16 Personality Factor Questionnaire), developed by Raymond B. Cattell, is suitable for persons age 16 and above and has been the subject of over 2,000 papers or other communications! The test measures key personality factors such as assertiveness, emotional maturity, and shrewdness. A couple can even decide that each party will take the 16 PF, and both an individual and joint profile will be compiled, which can be utilized for marital counseling.

Question 64

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator reflects the work of

a. Raymond B. Cattell.
b. Carl Jung.
c. William Glasser.
d. Oscar K. Buros.

Answer 64

Carl Jung.

Question 65

The counselor who favors projective measures would most likely be a

a. Rogerian.
b. strict behaviorist.
c. Ta therapist.
d. psychodynamic clinician.

Answer 65

Psychodynamic clinician.

Choices “a,” “b,” and “c” all reflect positions that do not rely heavily on the unconscious mind (especially the behaviorists, who believe that if you can’t directly measure the behavior, it is not meaningful). However, some theorists (e.g., Allport) would contend that even if it is true that unconscious impulses exist, they are not very important.

Question 66

An aptitude test is to ________ as an achievement test is to ________.

a. what has been learned; potential
b. potential; what has been learned
c. profit from learning; potential
d. a measurement of current skills; potential

Answer 66

Potential; what has been learned

Question 67

Both the Rorschach and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) are projective tests. The Rorschach uses 10 inkblot cards while the TAT uses

a. a dozen inkblot cards.
b. verbal and performance IQ scales.
c. pictures.
d. incompletesentences.

Answer 67

Pictures.

The TAT consists of 31 cards. The test, which is intended for ages 4 and beyond, uses up to 20 cards when administered to any given individual (i.e., 19 selected to fit the age and sex of the client, plus one blank card). The pictures on each card are intentionally ambiguous, and the client is asked to make up a story for each of them.

Question 68

Test bias primarily results from

a. a test being normed solely on white middle-class clients.
b. the use of projective measures.
c. using whites to score the test.
d. using IQ rather than personality tests.

Answer 68

A test being normed solely on white middle-class clients.

Question 69

A counselor who fears the client has an organic, neurological, or
motoric difficulty would most likely use the

a. Bender Gestalt II.
b. Rorschach.
c. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2.
d. Thematic Apperception Test.

Answer 69

Bender Gestalt II.

The Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test (named after psychiatrist Lauretta Bender) is actually an expressive projective measure, though first and foremost it is known for its ability to discern whether brain damage is evident. Suitable for age 4 years and beyond, the client is instructed to copy 16 geometric figures which the client can look at while constructing his or her drawing.

Question 70

An interest inventory would be least valid when used with

a. a first-year college student majoring in philosophy.
b. a third-year college student majoring in physics.
c. an eighth-grade male with an IQ of 136.
d. a 46-year-old white male construction worker.

Answer 70

An eighth-grade male with an IQ of 136.

Interest inventories work best with individuals who are of high school age or above inasmuch as interests are not extremely stable prior to that time. Interests become quite stable around age 25.

Question 71

One major criticism of interest inventories is that

a. they have far too many questions.
b. they are most appropriate for very young children.
c. they emphasize professional positions and minimize blue-
collar jobs.
d. they favor jobs that will require a bachelor’s degree or
higher.

Answer 71

They emphasize professional positions and minimize blue-
collar jobs.

Question 72

Interest inventories are positive in the sense that

a. they are reliable and not threatening to the test taker.
b. they are always graded by the test taker.
c. they require little or no reading skills.
d. they have high validity in nearly all age brackets.

Answer 72

They are reliable and not threatening to the test taker.

Generally, an interest inventory would be the least threatening variety of test.

Question 73

A counselor who had an interest primarily in testing would most likely be a member of

a. HS-BCP.
b. AARC.
c. NASW.
d. ACES.

Answer 73

AARC.

The AARC (Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling) is one of 20 ACA divisions. Can you name the other choices?

Question 74

The NCE is

a. an intelligence test.
b. an aptitude test.
c. a personality test.
d. an achievement test.

Answer 74

An achievement test.

The NCE is testing your knowledge and application of material in the counseling profession.

Question 75

The ________ are examples of aptitude tests.

a. O*NET Ability Profiler and the MCAT
b. GZTS and the MMPI-2
c. CPI and the MMPI-2
d. Strong and the LSAT

Answer 75

O*NET Ability Profiler and the MCAT

Exam Hint: School selection tests assess aptitude.

Question 76

One problem with interest inventories is that the person often tries to answer the questions in a socially acceptable manner. Psychometricians call this response style phenomenon

a. standard error.
b. social desirability (the right way to feel in society).
c. cultural bias.
d. acquiescence.

Answer 76

Social desirability (the right way to feel in society).

Question 77

An aptitude test predicts future behavior while an achievement test measures what you have mastered or learned. In the case of a test like the ________ the distinction is unclear.

a. Binet
b. Wechsler
c. GRE
d. Bender

Answer 77

GRE

Question 78

Your supervisor wants you to find a new personality test for your counseling agency. You should read

a. professional journals.
b. the Buros Mental Measurements Yearbook.
c. classic textbooks in the field as well as test materials
produced by the testing company.
d. all of the above.

Answer 78

All of the above.

Moreover, it has been discovered that if the counselor involves the client in the process of test selection it will improve his or her cooperation in the counseling process.

Question 79

The standard error of measurement tells you

a. how accurate or inaccurate a test score is.
b. what population responds best to the test.
c. something about social loafing.
d. the number of people used in norming the test.

Answer 79

How accurate or inaccurate a test score is.

Question 80

A new IQ test has a standard error of measurement (SEM) of 3. Tom scores 106 on the test. If he takes the test a lot, we can predict that about 68% of the time

a. Tom will score between 100 and 103.
b. Tom will score between 100 and 106.
c. Tom will score between 103 and 109.
d. Tom will score higher than Betty who scored 139.

Answer 80

Tom will score between 103 and 109.

Calculated simply by taking: 106 – 3 = 103 and 106 + 3 = 109. Hint: Your exam could refer to this as the “68% confidence interval” (i.e., 103 to 109). Classical test theory suggests the formula, X = T + E, where X is the obtained score, T is the true score, and E is the error. Hence, psychometricians know that if a client takes the same test over and over, random error (i.e., E in the formula) will cause the score to fluctuate.

Question 81

A counselor created an achievement test with a reliability coefficient of .82. The test is shortened since many clients felt it was too long. The counselor shortened the test but logically assumed that the reliability coefficient would now

a. be approximately .88.
b. remain at .82.
c. be at least 10 points higher or lower.
d. be lower than .82.

Answer 81

Be lower than .82.

Increasing a test’s length raises reliability. Shorten it and the antithesis occurs. Note: The Spearman Brown formula is used to estimate the impact that lengthening or shortening a test will have on a test’s reliability coefficient.

Question 82

A counselor can utilize psychological tests to help secure a
________ diagnosis if third-party payments are necessary.

a. CPT
b. DSM or ICD
c. percentile
d. standard error

Answer 82

DSM or ICD

Diagnosis is a medical term which asserts that you classify a disease based on symptomatology. CPT (Current Procedural Terminology Codes) are used to let insurance companies, managed care firms, etc. know which service you provided, such as individual therapy or family therapy.

Question 83

A colleague of yours invents a new projective test. Seventeen counselors rated the same client using the measure and came up with nearly identical assessments. This would indicate

a. high validity.
b. high reliability.
c. excellent norming studies.
d. culture fairness.

Answer 83

High reliability.

Question 84

Counselors often shy away from self-reports since

a. clients often give inaccurate answers.
b. ACA ethics do not allow them.
c. clients need a very high IQ to understand them.
d. they are generally very lengthy.

Answer 84

Clients often give inaccurate answers.

Question 85

In most instances, who would be the best qualified to give the
Rorschach Inkblot Test?

a. A counselor with NCC after his or her name.
b. A clinical psychologist.
c. A D.O. psychiatrist.
d. A social worker with LCSW after his or her name.

Answer 85

A clinical psychologist.

Generally, a clinical psychologist would have the most training in projective measures while the social worker would have the least education regarding tests and measurements.

Question 86

Your client, who is in an outpatient hospital program, is keeping a journal of irrational thoughts. This would be

a. an unethical practice based on NBCC ethical guidelines.
b. considered a standardized test.
c. an informal assessment technique.
d. an aptitude measure.

Answer 86

An informal assessment technique.

Self-reports, case notes, checklists, sociograms of groups, interviews, and professional staffings would also fall into the informal assessment category.

Question 87

You are uncertain whether a test is intended for the population served by your not-for-profit agency. The best method of researching this dilemma would be to

a. contact a local APA clinical psychology graduate program.
b. e-mail the person who created the test.
c. read the test manual included with the test.
d. give the test to six or more clients at random.

Answer 87

Read the test manual included with the test.

The manual should specify the target population for the test in question.

Question 88

Clients should know that

a. validity is more important than reliability.
b. projective tests favor psychodynamic theory.
c. face validity is not that important.
d. a test is merely a single source of data and not infallible.

Answer 88

A test is merely a single source of data and not infallible.

Although the first three choices are important to the counselor, the final statement should be explained to the client. An extremely high score—say on a mechanical aptitude test—does not automatically imply that the client will prosper as a mechanic.

Question 89

One major testing trend is

a. computer-assisted testing and computer interpretations.
b. more paper and pencil measures.
c. to give school children more standardized tests.
d. to train pastoral counselors to do projective testing.

Answer 89

Computer-assisted testing and computer interpretations.

Question 90

One future trend which seems contradictory is that some experts are pushing for

a. a greater reliance on tests while others want to rely on them less.
b. social workers to do most of the testing.
c. psychiatrists to do most of the testing.
d. counselors to ban all computer-assisted tests.

Answer 90

A greater reliance on tests while others want to rely on them less.

It seems we counselors just can’t agree on anything. Many counselors would like to see a greater emphasis in the future on tests which assess creative and motivational factors.

Question 91

Most counselors would agree that

a. more preschool IQ testing is necessary.
b. teachers need to give more personality tests.
c. more public education is needed in the area of testing.
d. the testing mystique has been beneficial to the general
public.

Answer 91

More public education is needed in the area of testing.

Question 92

________ would be an informal method of appraisal.

a. IQ testing
b. Standardized personality testing
c. GRE scores
d. A checklist

Answer 92

A checklist

Question 93

The WAIS-IV is given to 100,000 individuals in the United States who are picked at random. A counselor would expect that

a. approximately 68% would score between 85 and 115.
b. approximately 68% would score between 70 and 130.
c. the mean IQ would be 112.
d. 50% of those tested would score 112 or above.

Answer 93

Approximately 68% would score between 85 and 115.

Question 94

A word association test would be an example of

a. a neuropsychological test.
b. a motoric test.
c. an achievement test.
d. a projective test.

Answer 94

A projective test.

Question 95

Infant IQ tests are

a. more reliable than those given later in life.
b. more unreliable than those given later in life.
c. not related to learning experiences.
d. neverused.

Answer 95

More unreliable than those given later in life.

These “toddler tests” are sometimes capable of picking up gross abnormalities such as severe intellectual disabilities.

Question 96

A good practice for counselors is to

a. always test the client yourself rather than referring the client for testing.
b. never generalize on the basis of a single test score.
c. stay away from culture-free tests.
d. stay away from scoring the test yourself.

Answer 96

Never generalize on the basis of a single test score.

Question 97

You want to admit only 25% of all counselors to an advanced training program in psychodynamic group therapy. The item difficulty on the entrance exam for applicants would be best set at

a. 0.0.
b. .5 regardless of the admission requirement.
c. 1.0.
d. .25.

Answer 97

.25.

Question 98

According to Public Law 93–380, also known as the Buckley Amendment, a 19-year-old college student attending college

a. could view her record, which included test data.
b. could view her daughter’s infant IQ test given at preschool.
c. could demand a correction she discovered while reading a
file.
d. all of the above.

Answer 98

All of the above.

Persons over age 18 can inspect their own records and those of their children. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also stipulates that information cannot be released without adult consent.

Question 99

Lewis Terman

a. constructed the Wechsler tests.
b. constructed the initial Binet prior to 1910.
c. constructed the Rorschach.
d. Americanized the Binet.

Answer 99

Americanized the Binet.

Since Terman was associated with Stanford University the test
became the Stanford–Binet.

Question 100

In constructing a test you notice that all 75 people correctly
answered item number 12. This gives you an item difficulty of

a. 1.2.
b. .75.
c. 1.0.
d. 0.0.

Answer 100

1.0.

The item difficulty index is calculated by taking the number of persons tested who answered the item correctly/total number of persons tested. Hence, in this case 75/75 = 1.0. This maximum score for item 12 tells you it is probably much too easy for your examinees.