Psychometric assessment

1. Psychometric assessment An unending journey to self development Sindhu P Aravindakshan

2. What’s ahead… • Introduction • Types of Psychological Tests • Student Assessment • Why use Psychological tests • How to choose a test • Your role in Testing • Benefits of testing • Merits and Demerits • Ethics in testing • Certifying bodies

3. What are Psychometric Tests? Psychometric tests are tools for measuring the mind (‘metric’ = measure; ‘psycho’ = mind). Psychometric testing provides an objective summary of an individual's abilities, behavioral style and cultural fit and is an excellent predictor of performance. If individuals didn’t vary the need for Psychometric would have never existed.

4. Types Of Psychological Tests • Achievement and aptitude tests • Intelligence tests • Neuropsychological tests • Occupational tests • Personality tests • Specific clinical tests

5. Student Assessment • Psychological Assessment (conducted by a school psychologist) - This evaluation may include • cognitive assessments, - Assess Intellectual abilities • emotional and behavioral concerns- Assess emotional and behavioral through observations and interviews • adaptivefunctioning – self help skills

6. Why use Psychological Tests • It’s easier to get information from tests than by clinical interview. • The information from tests is more scientifically consistent than the information from a clinical interview. • It’s harder to get away with lying on a test than in a clinical interview. To help students maximize their education, make the right course choices and get into the right universities

7. How to choose a Test? The overall problem with psychological tests concerns their ability to measure what they are supposed to measure. The accuracy, or usefulness, of a test is known as its validity The ability of a test to give consistent results is known as its reliability. Note that without reliability, there can be no validity.

8. Your Role in Student Assessment • Before starting an assessment the principal or a nominated teacher should arrange a personal interview with both parents and/or legal guardians. • The reasons for the assessment should be discussed and the consent form to signed • Psychologists who carry out assessments under this scheme are required to meet the parents.

9. Your Role in Student Assessment • Assessments must be done only in a proctored environment • And also explain the findings to the parents and give them a copy of the psychological report. • Select a tool after identifying the need. • Cultural sensitivity is critical • Never translate a tool if not understood, its better not to answer than misinterpret. Find an alternative if need be

10. Benefits of Psychological Tests • assess potential academic results • increase the success of your students • improve engagement with school and motivation • know your students better • enhance the quality of your students’ destinations • gain value added support for your college and university applications

11. MERITS Helps draw up a comprehensive Behavioral profile Gives deeper understanding of ones strengths and areas of development Can be successfully utilized for career development DEMERITS Psychological testing has its limitation depending on the type of assessment Results are open to interpretation rather than conclusive Should never be used as a stand-alone technique Is dynamic based on the emotional state of the person Merits & Demerits

12. Ethics of psychometrics • Psychological tests are usually administered and interpreted by a psychologist • A counselor who has had the appropriate academic courses and supervision may administer achievement and aptitude tests • Explain the purpose of the test • Explain the rationale and name of the test • Maintain confidentiality/ privacy • Interpret and handover a copy of the report

13. Ethics of psychometrics contd. • Make sure the environment is conducive, calm and appropriate for testing • Making sure that the emotional state of the person undergoing the test is right for the test • Ensure that a discussion follows the assessment

14. Certifying Bodies Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education ( Code ) is a guide for professionals in fulfilling their obligation to provide and use tests that are fair to all test takers - APA Level A and Level B are the two principal stages of training in the certification system for psychometric test training set up by the British Psychological Society.

16. Questions? Thank you Sindhu_aravind@infosys.com