Pre-Test Considerations Flashcards

Which of the following is an example of a testing accommodation that must be pre-approved and documented before the session?

Answer: Extended time for a client with a documented disability

Extended time is a formal accommodation that alters standardized conditions and requires prior documentation and approval to remain legally and clinically defensible.

When calibrating equipment (e.g., a stopwatch) before timed subtests, the psychometrist's goal is to:

Answer: Ensure timing accuracy so speed-dependent scores reflect true performance

Inaccurate timing on timed subtests directly inflates or deflates raw scores, undermining the validity of speed-related measures.

A client who is being assessed for ADHD asks to bring their emotional support animal into the testing room. The psychometrist should:

Answer: Consult facility policy and the supervising psychologist before allowing it

Animals in the testing room may alter standardized conditions; the decision requires weighing facility policy, the client's needs, and potential impact on validity.

Reviewing prior test records before an evaluation is important primarily because:

Answer: It prevents administering the same instrument within a time frame that could inflate scores due to practice effects

Re-administering the same test too soon can produce artificially elevated scores due to practice effects, compromising the validity of change-score interpretation.

Which pre-test step helps the psychometrist establish appropriate seating and table height for the client?

Answer: Conducting a brief physical observation of the client's stature and mobility

Physical observation guides ergonomic setup so that motor fatigue or discomfort does not confound performance on manipulative tasks.

A psychometrist is asked to assess a client who was previously evaluated by a colleague at the same clinic. Confidentiality obligations require:

Answer: Obtaining proper authorization before accessing prior evaluation records

Accessing any prior clinical records requires appropriate authorization (e.g., signed release) even within the same facility, per HIPAA and ethical guidelines.

When preparing a testing kit for a scheduled evaluation, the psychometrist discovers that a stimulus book is missing two pages. The correct action is to:

Answer: Replace the kit with an intact one and report the damage before the session

Using incomplete or photocopied materials violates standardization and test security; an intact kit must be used and the damage reported.