Summit Psychological Services

Psychologists use tests and other assessment tools for a wide variety of reasons.  These tools allow mental health professionals to measure and observe a client's behavior to arrive at a diagnosis and guide treatment.

For Example:

• Children who are experiencing difficulty in school, may undergo aptitude testing or tests for learning disabilities.

• Tests for skills such as dexterity, reaction time and memory can help a neuropsychologist diagnose conditions such as brain injuries or dementia.

• If a person is having problems at work or school, or in personal relationships, tests can help a psychologist understand whether he or she might have issues with anger management or interpersonal skills, or certain personality traits that contribute to the problem.

• Other tests evaluate whether clients are experiencing emotional disorders such as anxiety or depression.

The underlying cause of a person's problems isn't always clear.  Psychological tests and assessments allow a psychologist to understand the nature of the problem, and to figure out the best way to go about addressing it.

Testing and assessments are two separate components of a psychological evaluation, yet are interrelated.  Using both types of tools, psychologists are able to arrive at a diagnosis and a treatment plan.  Testing involves the use of formal tests such as questionnaires or checklists, which are often described as “norm-referenced” tests. Simply, meaning that the tests have been standardized so that test-takers are evaluated in a similar way, regardless of who is administering the test or where they live.  These tests have been developed and evaluated by researchers and proven to be effective for measuring a particular trait or disorder.

A psychological assessment can include numerous components such as norm-referenced psychological tests, informal tests and surveys, interview information, school or medical records, medical evaluation and observational data. A psychologist determines what information to use based on the specific questions being asked.

For example, assessments can be used to determine if a person:

• has a learning disorder 

• is competent to stand trial

• has a traumatic brain injury

• would be a good manager

• how well they may work with a team

A clinical interview is one common assessment technique. By speaking to a patient about their history and concerns, a psychologist is able to observe how the patient thinks, reasons and interacts with others.  In certain situations and with the proper written consent, assessments may also include interviewing other people who are close to the client, such as teachers, coworkers or family members. 

Together, testing and assessment allows a psychologist to see the full picture of a person's attitude, strengths and limitations.

The following are various types of tests used by psychologist: