What is a psychological assessment?
Psychological assessment is a formal method of measuring an individual’s psychological abilities. Check out our other blog article for more information. Click Here
What is a psychological test?
Psychological tests are measures that have been designed to assess specific characteristics and abilities in order to explain individual differences. They are based on psychological theories and developed through extensive research to ensure their results are reliable. They are administered and scored in a consistent manner before the results are compared to the performance of a similar population to the testee.
Why would I need psychological testing?
There are a number of reasons you may be referred for psychological assessment. You may be experiencing difficulties that cause significant distress, impact daily functioning, or negatively affect learning at school. Testing can help you and your support system understand what may be happening and recommend the best way to provide support. Testing may also be used to determine suitability and capability for workplace roles.
Who can do psychological testing?
Generally, psychologists administer psychological assessments, as they have received training in administering, scoring, interpretation, and reporting. Other professionals may conduct psychological testing if they have received training and are being supervised by a fully qualified psychologist.
How much does psychological testing cost?
The short answer is that it depends on the reason for assessment. You should expect to pay for a psychologist’s time to cover an initial interview, assessment sessions, scoring, report writing, and a feedback session. Unfortunately, Medicare does not help to fund the cost of assessments but you may be eligible for government, community, or private funding.
What does psychological testing entail?
Obtaining a full, detailed history is important so you’ll attend an initial interview and the psychologist may speak with parents or guardians where the assessment is for a child or someone with impaired capacity. Your psychologist will advise on the tests involved, which may be conducted over multiple sessions. They may be online, written, or involve problem-solving with materials like blocks. Once your psychologist has scored your results, they will discuss them with you in a feedback session and provide a written report you should keep somewhere safe.
How do I prepare for psychological testing?
Psychological assessments are generally not the kind of tests you can revise for. However, ensuring you know the logistical details can allay some anxiety. If you are uncertain about anything, be sure to ask your psychologist during your initial interview. Try to have a good night of sleep before your assessments and plan your journey on the day so you are likely to arrive a little earlier than your appointment.
Can I have someone in the room when I am being tested?
Having someone in the room with you can increase the likelihood of anxiety, distraction, or interference, which could affect the validity of your results. As such, your psychologist is likely to prefer there is no one else in the room when conducting formal testing. However, they will probably be open to your bringing a friend or family member to the feedback session.
Still have questions? You can talk to one of our friendly staff on (08) 8232 2424.