Test Administration and Observation Flashcards

A child client begins to cry midway through a cognitive battery. The psychometrist should first:

Answer: Offer brief, neutral comfort and allow the child to settle before continuing or consulting the supervising psychologist

Brief neutral comfort is appropriate; the psychometrist should then consult the supervising psychologist if distress is significant enough to affect validity.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of maintaining uniform testing conditions across administrations?

Answer: To ensure scores are comparable to the normative sample under which the test was developed

Norms are derived under specific conditions; deviating from those conditions undermines the comparability of scores to the normative sample.

During a memory subtest, a client spontaneously repeats target words aloud while studying them. The psychometrist should:

Answer: Allow the rehearsal strategy and document it as an observed behavior

Spontaneous use of rehearsal strategies is a behaviorally significant observation and should be documented, not interrupted, unless the manual specifies otherwise.

A psychometrist who has a personal relationship with the client being evaluated should:

Answer: Disclose the relationship to the supervising psychologist and recuse themselves if directed

Dual relationships create potential bias; ethical practice requires disclosure to the supervisor, who determines whether the psychometrist should withdraw.

Which of the following situations warrants immediate notification of the supervising psychologist during an assessment?

Answer: The client discloses active suicidal ideation with a plan

Active suicidal ideation with a plan is a safety emergency requiring immediate notification of the supervising psychologist for clinical intervention.

In the context of test administration, 'discontinue rules' are designed primarily to:

Answer: Prevent unnecessary distress by stopping when continued items are unlikely to yield valid scores

Discontinue rules protect the client from unnecessary frustration and ensure efficient use of testing time when further items are unlikely to be passed.

Before beginning a standardized assessment, a psychometrist should verify which of the following?

Answer: That all required materials are present, the environment is suitable, and client identity is confirmed

Pre-session preparation includes confirming materials, a distraction-free environment, and correct client identity to ensure valid, attributable results.