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IGNOU MAPC
Exam Question Pattern
MPCE012

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 Question Paper Pattern -
PsychoDiagnostics

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 Psychology.PsychoTechServices.com

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 Super-Notes
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 We are here to help you…
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We are here to help you!
If you are a faculty or student of IGNOU, this document may be just what you need!

IGNOU has a vast syllabus, there is minimal support from the study centers and university.
But, the exams are as tough as exams for regular programs, if not tougher. Unfortunately,
the students, most of whom are working, don’t get sufficient support for their exams.

We at PsychoTech Services have launched several efforts to help IGNOU students – if you
haven’t visited our IGNOU MAPC Corner yet, now might be the right time! Back in 2015, we
created the first version of our ‘IGNOU Question Paper Pattern Analysis’ with the objective of
helping IGNOU students with their theory examinations. Several copies and duplicates soon
surfaced. Some of them very brightly colored with fancy graphics. But none with the same
high level of accuracy and quality of analysis and insights.

While this document and the analysis in it would help you a lot, do remember exams are
both a test of your knowledge and your ability to present the answers in a manner that the
examiner is inclined to give you marks. So work on both these aspects – read this for some
very useful tips on How to Score More in your Exams!

Good luck for your exams!!!

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 IGNOU MAPC Corner
Helping IGNOU students since 2014!

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 An approach that works…
Even though IGNOU changed the structure
of its question papers, the results of our
first analysis from 2015-16 are still valid
and useful!

We refreshed it, just to confirm!

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 9

An approach that works…
Our approach is based on a very simple and logical concept… The syllabus of any course
created anywhere on this planet can, typically, be broken into three parts – 1. core concepts,
2. important concepts and 3. related but not as important concepts. Now, logically, if you
have to test your students’ knowledge of a subject which of these three would you focus on?

Simple, right ☺ This is the reason we find that the pattern of questions asked in entrance
exams and university exams anywhere in the world clearly mirror the above. Most questions
are asked from the core concepts, some from the important concepts and rarely from
the related concepts.

Therefore, as a student, it does not make sense for you to put equal effort in all subjects.
When you prepare for your exams, you must prioritize - ‘by-heart’ the core concepts, learn
the important concepts and touch the related concepts if you intend to score a perfect 100!

How do you know which topic belongs to which category? That is what this document will
help you to know. We analyzed all the question papers available on the IGNOU site, right
from the beginning of the course to find out the relative importance of every part of your
syllabus.

This will help you to get maximum marks with minimum effort!

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 10

 Let’s start!
Question Paper
This document Pattern -
is for: MPCE012
PsychoDiagnostics

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 How is the
Question Paper structured?

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 12

The Examination Setup
Environment:
An examination hall, typically in an IGNOU study center. Depending on your luck – it could be
noisy with lot of cheating, peaceful with strict invigilation, comfortable desks or
uncomfortable broken desks, clean or filthy washrooms.

Time: 2 hours Maximum Marks: 50

Question Paper Structure:

Since 2015, the question paper pattern has been consistent. It is divided into 3 sections:

Section Number of Questions Word-Limit Marks per question Total Marks

A 2 out of 4 500 10 20

B 4 out of 5 300 6 24

C 2 out of 3 100 3 6
*Questions in sections A and B are usually broken into sub-parts comprising of related questions. In our analysis we
have counted them as separate questions and mapped to the respective topics in the IGNOU study material.
PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 13
The most important block is…

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…Block 1,2 and 3!
Whether you look at the recent or lifetime stats, the three blocks have got almost equal
weightage throughout. Just look at the consistency!
Weightage of different blocks in exams, %age of total marks

Last 3
28% 25% 29% 18% 0%
years

Last 5
27% 27% 27% 19% 0%
years

Lifetime 27% 26% 26% 20% 0%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

1_Introduction to Psychodiagnostics 3_Tests of Cognitive Functions

2_Psychodiagnostics in Psychology 4_Projective Techniques in Psychodiagnostics
Out of Syllabus

Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 15
 We suggest students to use this list
for the final full reading before exams –
so that you do not miss any important
chapters in case of insufficient time.

The most important chapters are…

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…3.1, 2.3, 1.1 and 2.1 in that order!
The number before ‘.’ is the block number and the number after ‘.’ is the chapter in that block.
Priority 1 chapters are highlighted in yellow bold text below (and yellow background on next page),
Priority 2 chapters in white/gray bold text, and
Priority 3 in small, normal text.
Weightage of different chapters in exams, %age of total marks

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Out of Syllabus

Last 3 years 7% 7% 7% 7% 9% 1% 14% 5% 11% 8% 3% 3% 5% 3% 3% 8% 0%

Last 5 years 7% 8% 5% 7% 9% 1% 13% 5% 11% 7% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 7% 0%

Lifetime 10% 7% 6% 5% 8% 0% 11% 7% 12% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 5% 7% 0%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 17

Chapters – in order of current importance
Chapter Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

2.3_Batteries of Test and Assessment Interview 11.0% 12.9% 14.0%

3.1_Measures of Intelligence and Conceptual Thinking 11.8% 11.0% 10.8%

2.1_Objectives of Psychodiagnostics 8.1% 8.7% 9.3%

3.2_The Measurement of Conceptual Thinking (The Binet and Wechsler's Scales) 5.6% 6.5% 7.8%

4.4_Personality Inventories 6.7% 6.8% 7.5%

1.4_Ethical issues in Assessment 4.7% 6.5% 6.9%

1.3_Assessment in Clinical Psychology 6.2% 5.4% 6.9%

1.2_Methods of Behavioral Assessment 6.8% 7.7% 6.9%

1.1_Introduction to Psychodiagnostics, Definition, Concept and Description 9.5% 7.3% 6.9%

4.1_Introduction of Projective Techniques and Neuropsychological Test 4.3% 4.2% 5.2%

2.4_Report Writing and Recipient of Report 6.7% 4.9% 4.7%

3.4_Utility of Data from the Test of Cognitive Functions 3.5% 4.1% 3.4%

3.3_Measurement of Memory and Creativity 5.5% 5.1% 3.2%

4.3_The Thematic Apperception Test and Children's Apperception Test 5.3% 4.4% 2.6%
3.6%to the Rorschach
4.2_Principles of Measurement and Projective Techniques, Current Status with Special Reference 3.6% Test 2.6%

2.2_Different Stages in Psychodiagnostics 0.4% 0.8% 1.3%

Out of Syllabus 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 18

 Now, let’s look at the topics.
We suggest you use this list for revision –
to ensure that you have learnt
Priority 1 and 2 topics

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 19

The Top 20 Current topics – Priority 1
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years
3.4 Skills and Techniques 3.7% 5.6% 5.2%
1.2.7 Areas to Be Covered in Diagnostic Interview 2.4% 3.8% 5.2%
3.5 Assessment in Clinical Psychology 3.4% 3.8% 4.3%
4.4 General Guidelines 1.6% 2.1% 3.4%
2.4.3 Formats of Self-Report Inventories 2.2% 3.2% 3.2%
4.3.1 Objective Testing 2.8% 2.7% 3.2%
3.6.2 Mental Status Assessment 2.6% 2.9% 2.8%
1.10 Questions and Controversies Concerning IQ Testing 1.5% 1.5% 2.6%
2.2.2 Characteristics of Tests of Abstraction 1.0% 1.8% 2.4%
1.3 Measures of Intelligence 3.4% 2.6% 2.2%
4.2 Ethics in Assessment 1.4% 2.6% 2.2%
3.6 Types of Interviews 2.5% 1.3% 2.2%
4.4 Ethical Issues in Assessment 1.7% 1.3% 2.2%
1.6.2 Psychological Assessment in Clinical Context 0.7% 1.3% 2.2%
2.4 Overview of Tests 1.7% 1.0% 1.7%
4.3 Utility of Data from Tests of Cognitive Functions 1.0% 1.9% 1.5%
1.2 Psychodiagnostics 1.9% 1.3% 1.5%
3.2.1 The Use of Test Batteries 0.5% 0.9% 1.5%
4.6 Format for Psychological Reports 1.8% 2.1% 1.3%
1.6 Raven's Progressive Matrices 1.7% 1.9% 1.3%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 20

Next 40 Current topics – Priority 2 (1/2)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years
2.5.3 Unobtrusive Observation 1.0% 1.9% 1.3%
3.2.5 What Does the TAT Measure? 1.0% 1.9% 1.3%
1.5 Data Sources for Psychological Assessment 2.5% 1.7% 1.3%
1.10 Neuropsychological Testing 2.2% 1.2% 1.3%
4.4.3 Invasion of Privacy 0.6% 1.2% 1.3%
1.3.5 The Wechsler Scale for Children 0.6% 1.2% 1.3%
2.5 The Rorschach Test 1.1% 0.8% 1.3%
3.4.2 The Children's Apperception Test (The CAT) 1.0% 0.8% 1.3%
3.3 Assessment Interview 0.6% 0.8% 1.3%
3.3.1 Addiction Assessments 0.6% 0.8% 1.3%
1.7 Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABCII) 0.4% 0.8% 1.3%
2.3 Psychodiagnostic Assessment 0.4% 0.8% 1.3%
1.3.2 Wechsler Scales for Adults 0.4% 0.8% 1.3%
2.6 Reliability and Validity of Rorschach Scores 0.4% 0.8% 1.3%
1.6.3 Assessment in Vocational Guidance Testing and Job Selection I Placement 0.4% 0.8% 1.3%
1.5 Projective Testing 0.4% 0.8% 1.3%
4.4.1 The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) 0.7% 1.4% 1.1%
2.4.4 Halstead Category Tests 0.7% 1.4% 1.1%
4.3.2 The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality inventory (MMPI, MMPI-2, MMPI-A) 1.4% 0.6% 1.1%
2.4 Self-Report Methods 0.8% 0.6% 1.1%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 21

Next 40 Current topics – Priority 2 (2/2)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years
4.3 Measurement of Personality and Psychological Functioning 0.7% 0.6% 1.1%
2.4.5 Tha Haufmann Kasanin Concept Fomation Test (1937) 0.3% 0.6% 1.1%
2.6 Cross-Cultural Considerations and Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities 0.3% 0.6% 1.1%
1.2.4 Application of Psychodiagnostic Testing 1.1% 1.4% 0.9%
3.4.6 Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) 1.6% 1.3% 0.9%
1.2 History of Intelligence Assessment 1.8% 1.0% 0.9%
3.4.1 Factors that Influence Clinicians Response to Referral Questions 0.3% 0.5% 0.9%
1.2.6 The Purpose of Diagnostic Assessment 0.3% 0.5% 0.9%
1.3.5 Prediction Assessments 2.1% 1.7% 0.6%
1.6 Practical Applications 1.8% 1.2% 0.6%
3.2.5 Assessment of Different Memory Systems 1.0% 1.2% 0.6%
4.5.7 Differential Ability Scales-Second Edition (DAS-II) 0.4% 0.8% 0.6%
1.4 Basic Assumptions 0.4% 0.8% 0.6%
4.2 Cognitive Testing 0.3% 0.6% 0.6%
1.3.4 Descriptive Assessments 1.4% 0.4% 0.6%
2.5 Direct Observation and Self-Monitoring 0.9% 0.4% 0.6%
4.4.1 Informed Consent 0.4% 0.4% 0.6%
3.6.3 Crisis Interviews 0.4% 0.4% 0.6%
4.3.5 The Sixteen Personality Factors (16PF) 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
1.5.3 Projective Drawings 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 22

Remaining topics – Priority 3 (1/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years
3.2 Memory 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
4.2.7 Perfect Conditions Fallacy 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
3.2.1 Explicit and Implicit Memory 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
4.5.5 Das Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
1.4.1 Cognitive Assessment 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
1.5.4 Sentence Completion Techniques 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
1.3 Categories of Projective Techniques 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
2.6 Psychophysiological Assessment 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
1.2.1 Differences between Psychodiagnostic Assessment and Psychiatric Consultation 0.5% 0.5% 0.4%
3.4 Creativity 0.7% 0.3% 0.4%
3.2 Test Batteries 0.1% 0.3% 0.4%
2.5 Range of Applicability and Limitations 0.1% 0.3% 0.4%
4.2 Personality Testing 0.1% 0.3% 0.4%
3.4 The Referral 0.1% 0.3% 0.4%
3.4 Alternative Apperception Procedures 1.4% 1.3% 0.0%
3.2.3 Tests of Explicit Memory 0.5% 1.0% 0.0%
1.4 Stanford-Binet Scales 0.7% 0.9% 0.0%
1.4 Variables Domains of Psychological Assessment 1.3% 0.8% 0.0%
2.8 Current and Future Status 0.7% 0.8% 0.0%
4.4.2 The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) 0.7% 0.8% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 23

Remaining topics – Priority 3 (2/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years
4.5 Models of Psychological Reports 0.7% 0.8% 0.0%
4.3 APA Ethics Code 0.4% 0.8% 0.0%
2.7 Future Perspectives 0.4% 0.8% 0.0%
3.6.6 Exit Interviews 0.4% 0.8% 0.0%
3.2.4 Tests of Implicit Memory 0.3% 0.6% 0.0%
2.5.3 Scoring 0.6% 0.5% 0.0%
4.4 Uses of Neuropsychological Assessment 1.2% 0.4% 0.0%
2.4.2 Strengths and Weaknesses of Self-Report Inventories 0.6% 0.4% 0.0%
1.4.1 Characteristics of Stanford Binet Scale 0.6% 0.4% 0.0%
2.4.3 Colour Sorting Tests 0.5% 0.4% 0.0%
2.2 The "Abstract Attitude" 0.4% 0.4% 0.0%
1.5.1 Actuarial and Biographical Data 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
2.2 The Nature of Projective Tests 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
3.2 The Thematic Apperception Test 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
1.6 Merits of Projective Tests 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
2.5.2 Administration 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
4.2 The Psychological Report 1.2% 0.0% 0.0%
3.3.2 Description of FAMHA 1.2% 0.0% 0.0%
4.6.7 Summary and Recommendations 1.1% 0.0% 0.0%
3.5.2 Planning Therapy 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 24

Remaining topics – Priority 3 (3/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years
2.2 Behavioural Assessment 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%
3.4.4 Scoring of CAT 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%
1.3.1 Wechsler Scales 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%
3.4.1 Assessment of Creativity 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%
3.4.3 Process Measures 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%
2.4.6 The Twenty Questions Tasks 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%
3.2.4 Scoring 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
4.5.1 Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
3.2.2 Administration 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
3.4.1 Tell Me a Story Test 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
Out of Syllabus 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
1.3 Testing, Assessment and Clinical Practice 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
2.4 Measurement and Standardization 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
4.5.1 Level of Reports 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
1.7 Neuropsychological Assessment 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%
3.6.4 Diagnostic Interview 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%
1.5.5 Expressive Behaviour 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%
0.2%
1.5 Woodcock-Johnson Psycho Educational Battery-3rd Edition: Tests of Cognitive Ability (WJ-III) 0.0% 0.0%
3.4.3 Description of CAT 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%
1.5.9 Psycho Physiological Data 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%
1.11 Limitations 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Psychology Super-Notes Psychology Learners 25

 Now that you know the most
important topics,
What Next?
Move to the next page to find out…

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 Super-Notes
A proprietary approach developed by bringing together
the best of learning theories from Psychology, design
principles from the world of visualization, and
pedagogical methods from over a decade of training
experience, that enables you to:

Learn better, faster!

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Do you know watching movies
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