Selecting, Administering, Scoring, and Interpreting Assessment Results 3

Question 1

What to do… Before Administration?

Answer 1

• Counselor should be familiar with the instrument.
• Review manual, forms, other materials.
• Be familiar with the content of the instrument.
• Review directions for administering the instrument.
• One of the best ways to become familiar with an assessment instrument is to follow the procedures and actually take the test.
• For many instruments, there are management tasks that must be accomplished prior to the day of administration.
• pretesting procedures may include scheduling the date for administering the test; scheduling rooms or facilities; ensuring accurate numbers of booklets, answer sheets, pencils, and any other needed materials; arranging materials for distribution; and so on.
• Obtain informed consent from examinees
• Provide orientation for examinees
• If the client is a minor, it is necessary to get parental consent before the assessment process begins.

Question 2

What is included in the orientation for examinees? And why?

Answer 2

o Clients must be informed about the nature and purpose of the evaluation, as well as information concerning confidentiality limits and how the security of test results will be maintained
o According to the Code of Ethics of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC, 2016), prior to administering assessment instruments or technique, counselors must provide specific information to examinee like:
1. Purpose of the assessment instrument
2. Criteria used for selecting the assessment instrument
3. Conditions under which the instrument is to be taken
4. Range of skills or domains to be measured
5. Administrative procedures and concerns (e.g., group or individual administration, time involved, and cost)
6. Types of questions on the instrument and an overview
7. Type of scoring, method, and schedule for reporting results to the test taker

Why?
so that the results may be put in the proper perspective with other relevant factors.

Question 3

Provide a checklist for the Pretesting Procedures

Answer 3

Review manuals and materials.
Read and practice the directions for administering the test. Schedule room and facilities.
Orient client(s) about the purpose of testing.
Send out notice to remind client(s) of testing time.
Get informed consent if needed.
Identify any special materials or tools needed.
Have testing materials on hand.
Highlight directions in the manual.
Decide on order of administration of tests.
Decide on procedures for collection of test materials.
Prepare answers for specific questions clients might ask.

Question 4

Provide a checklist for the Immediately Before Administration period

Answer 4

Organize test materials.
Make and check seating arrangements. 
Check lighting and ventilation.
Arrange clear and adequate work space. 
Organize materials and arrange for distribution.

Question 5

Provide a checklist for the During Administration

period

Answer 5

Distribute assessment instrument and materials in the specified manner.
Administer instrument using specified instructions.
Check time limits for the test.
Record any critical incidents.
Note any irregularities in test behavior.

Question 6

Provide a checklist for After Administration period

Answer 6

Collect materials in the specified manner.

Follow directions for storing materials.

Question 7

What are the Modes of Administering Instruments?

Answer 7

o	Self-Administered
o	Individually Administered
o	Group Administered
o	Computer Administered
o	Video Administered
o	Audio Administered
o	American Sign Language
o	Nonverbal

Question 8

What to do… During Administration?

Answer 8

• begin with a final check to see that all is in order.
• For standardized instruments, follow administration procedures and deliver instructions.
• Establish rapport with client.
• Be alert to problems and client’s behaviors during administration.

Question 9

What happen in the final check for each of the following:

group test / Individual tests

Answer 9

o For group tests, examiners need to check on materials, lighting, ventilation, seating arrangements, clear workspace for examinees, sharpened pencils, a “do not disturb” sign, and so on.
o Individual tests should be administered in a quiet, comfortable place.

Question 10

For standardized instruments, follow administration procedures and deliver instructions: Can a counsellor change something in the procedure?

Answer 10

No.
There are numerous ways that assessment instruments can be administered to a client, each having distinct advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of which mode or format is used, counselors are responsible for following specified administration procedures.

Question 11

How to Establish rapport with client?

Answer 11

o When individually administering an instrument, the counselor can assess these emotional and motivational factors and positively support the test taker.
o examiner should encourage the examinees to do their best on each task.
o Examiners should recognize the need to be genuine and to understand and recognize personal biases in order to be both positive and objective.
o listening carefully and observing nonverbal cues.
o Impartial treatment of all those being assessed is essential.

Question 12

How to Establish rapport with client in group administration?

Answer 12

it is harder to establish rapport, but the examiner can be warm, friendly, and enthusiastic.

Question 13

Be alert to problems and client’s behaviors during administration: What should the administrator consider to focus about this?

Answer 13

o Young children and individuals with disabilities may need shorter test periods and perhaps smaller numbers in the testing group.

o The examiner may have to administer tests individually or make special provisions for visual, auditory, or perceptual-motor impairments, being sure to record any deviation from standardized administrative procedures.

o The examiner should record any test behavior or other critical incidents that may increase or reduce an individual’s opportunity to perform to capacity.

o Some instruments have observation forms or rating sales on which an examiner can record an individual’s test behavior

Question 14

What to do… After Administration?

Answer 14

• Collect materials
• Count booklets and answer sheets (if it is a group administration)
• everything should be put back in the testing kit in the proper way so that it is ready for future use.
• Pack materials according to stated procedures
• The counselor should also take time immediately to record any incident that might invalidate scores.