Scribd
Upload
15 views2 pages

Ano

This document discusses different ways of classifying psychological tests. It describes tests in terms of their administration (group vs. individual), format (paper-and-pencil, computer-based, performance-based), scoring (objective vs. subjective), and the characteristics they assess (abilities, aptitudes, interests, personality). Group tests administered via paper-and-pencil are commonly used for large-scale assessments in industry due to their low cost, while individual tests are used more for counseling or clinical work. Computer-based testing provides standardized reports while eliminating biases. Psychological tests can also be classified based on whether they emphasize speed or power, and the traits they aim to measure.

Uploaded by

Mary Kristine Diane Bonjan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views2 pages

Ano

This document discusses different ways of classifying psychological tests. It describes tests in terms of their administration (group vs. individual), format (paper-and-pencil, computer-based, performance-based), scoring (objective vs. subjective), and the characteristics they assess (abilities, aptitudes, interests, personality). Group tests administered via paper-and-pencil are commonly used for large-scale assessments in industry due to their low cost, while individual tests are used more for counseling or clinical work. Computer-based testing provides standardized reports while eliminating biases. Psychological tests can also be classified based on whether they emphasize speed or power, and the traits they aim to measure.

Uploaded by

Mary Kristine Diane Bonjan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

CLASSIFICATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS

Psychological tests can be classified by the ways in which (1) they are constructed,scored and
administered and (2) in terms of behaviour or the characteristics they are designed to assess.
Let us deal with these one by one.
3.6.1 Test Administration Perspective
Many tests are designed in such a way that they can be administered to a large number of
people at the same time. These group tests are advantageous in a situation that requires the
testing of many people, i.e., large-scale testing programme in industry, the only limitation of
which is the size of the testing facility.Individual tests, administered to one person at a time, are
costlier and therefore, are used to a lesser degree in Industry than are group tests. These tests
are used more frequently for vocational guidance and counselling as well as for clinical and
diagnostic work with emotionally disturbed persons.
3.6.2 Computer Assisted Testing
Designed for large scale group testing or computer assisted testing is nevertheless an individual
testing situation in which the person taking the test interacts with a computer.The questions
appear one at a time on the computer screen and the job applicant presses a key corresponding
to an answer selected. Computerised test is more efficient and less costly, and it provides
standardised reports. Computers also eliminate all personal biases and errors of interpretation
and are unaffected by feelings of fatigue, boredom or burnout.
3.6.3 Speed and Power Tests
A speed test has a fixed time limit at which point everyone taking the test must stop. A power
test has no time limit and the subjects are allowed as much time as they feel they need to finish
the test. By and large, a speed test consists of a set of items having more or less uniform level
of difficulty while a power test contains more difficult items and the set of its constituent items
are arranged in an increasing order of difficulty.

3.6.4 Paper and Pencil Tests


Paper-and-Pencil tests are the type with which we are most familiar. The items or the questions
are in printed form and the answers (generally in several alternative forms) are pointed on a
separate answer sheet. Majority of the standard group tests of intelligence, interest,
personality are paper-and-pencil tests.

Again some behaviours or characteristics do not lend themselves to evaluation by paper-and-


pencil forms. As for example, mechanical ability, can be assessed better by providing the
applicants to perform a series of mechanical operations than by answering questions about the
nature of those operations.Other examples are the assessment of typing ability by observing
the typist in operation.Similarly, the evaluation of more complex skills, expensive equipment
may be required.Such tests are Performance tests that may require mostly in individual testing
situation.
3.6.5 Objective and Subjective Scoring
Majority of the psychological tests used in assessing persons performances in
industrial/organisational settings are objectively scored for evaluation.Subjectivity in test
scoring as interviewing allows personal prejudices and attitudes to enter into the assessment
situation which can lead to distortion of the evaluation.
3.6.6 Characteristics Perspective
Psychological tests may, however, be most usefully classified in terms of characteristics or
behaviours they are designed to assess. The most basic types are tests of cognitive or mental
ability, aptitude, motor ability, interest and personality.

You might also like