TEST FOR SPECIAL MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND

DISABILITIES
Mental abilities generally known as higher mental function like intelligence, orientation,
memory, attention, concentration, abstract thinking, judgmentand insight. A mental disability
deals with lack of mental abilities to wards growth and development (mental retardation)
capacity to adopt the environment and lack of social adjustment.

Definition:

 Mental health is a state of well – being in which an individual realizes his or her own
abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able
to make a contribution to his or her community.

Mental Ability Test-

Mental status examination : It is a process test to identify current mental status of the person.
It consists of GAB (General aptitude of behavior)

 General appearance and behaviour

 Sppech
 Mood and effect
 Thought
 Perception
 Judgment
 Insight

Purpose

 To identify current status for mental activity

 To get adequate information about higher mental function
 To diagnosis
 To provide adequate nursing and professional care.

MENTAL DISABILITY
Mental disability is described by Mr. William K Frankenburg in Denver, Colorado. These
tests popularly known as DDST ( Denver Development Screening Test). This test creates for
screening cognitive and behavior problem in preschool children. It is important cognitive test.

Defintion

 Mental disability is a condition that limits a person’s intellectual capacity , resulting

directly or indirectly from injuryto the brain or from abnormal neurological
development.
 Eg. Learning disabilities, intellectual disability

 Mental disability means significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex

information and to learn and apply new skills(impaired intelligence). This results in a
reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning), and begins before
adulthood, with a lasting effect on development.

Denver Development Screening Test (DDST)

In 1967, first introduced in corolado university and revised by university of medical

center calofornia year of 1992.

Purpose of DDST.

 To identify the development delay in preschooler (age group between 3 to 6 years)

 To assist neurological function and to detect neurologicalproblem like cerebal palsy.
 To detect the problem in early infancy like growth and development.
 Test can useful in late childhood (6 to 12 years) academic and social problems
(relationship).

This test DDST consist of 125 item includes 4 points

a) Social and personal item

b) Fine motor function
c) Language
d) Gross motor function

a) Social and personal item .....

This aspects deals with socialization in an around society activity and home.

b) Fine motor.....

It deals with eye and hard coordination and manipulation of small objects.

c) Language......

Protection of speech ability to recognize understand use of language.

d) Gross motor function......

Motor control, setting, walking, jumping and other movement.

Inferences:

From this test can identify the individual having normal growth and development. If it is less
score in test it shows that lack of growth and development. It is known as mentally
retardation. These test items consist of the following equipment. ( Personal and social, fine
motor, language, gross motor function)
Conclusion: DDST 2 revision created by Dobbs. It is a simplify to assist the developmental
test in physically and adaptation to the environment . This test similar to the Minnesota
personality test.

TEST FOR PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND DISABILITIES

Test for Disabilities....

The eligibility of a child for special education and related services is considered upon
completion of the administration of tests and other evaluation materials.

In order for a child to be declared eligible for special education and related
services it must be determined that the child is a “child with a disability” and is in need of
special education and related services”.

The parents of the child and a team of qualified professionals must determine whether the
child is a child with a disability and in need of special education and related services.

Physical ability tests typically ask individuals to perform job-related tasks requiring manual
labor or physical skill. These tasks measure physical abilities such as strength, muscular
flexibility, and stamina.

Examples of physical ability tests include:

 Muscular Tension Tests - Tasks requiring pushing, pulling, lifting

 Muscular Power Tests - Tasks requiring the individual to overcome some initial
resistance (e.g., loosening a nut on a bolt)
 Muscular Endurance Tests - Tasks involving repetitions of tool use (e.g., removing
objects from belts)
 Cardiovascular Endurance Tests - Tasks assessing aerobic capacity (e.g., climbing
stairs)
 Flexibility Tests - Tasks where bending, twisting, stretching or reaching of a body
segment occurs (e.g., installing lighting fixtures)
 Balance Tests - Tasks in which stability of body position is difficult to maintain (e.g.,
standing on rungs of a ladder)

Important information about the Physical Ability Test.....

 The PATs are designed to stimulate specific job duties .

 The tests are physically demanding and could cause injury to persons who are not
physically fit or have medical conditions which limit their physical ability.
 The tests are administered in a non-medical environment by non- medical staff.
Therefore , it is in your best interest to objectively evaluate your physical fitness
status and to prepare yourself prior to participating in the Physical Abilities Test.
 Before taking the PAT, you must undergo a risk assessment to ensure you are fit to
proceed. The risk assessment includes height and weight measurement, blood pressure
check, cornary risk assessment and an overall review of current health status. If you
 pass the risk assessment, you will proceed with the PAT. Due to the nature of the
PAT, there is some risk of injury to individuals with existing medical conditions or
those who may be in marginal physical condition.
 The test itself consists of five physically demanding performance tests designed to
evaluate overall fitness to perform the specfic functions of a Peace officer.

Various pieces of exercise eqipment, candidates must demonstrate:

 Overall endurance
 Grip strength
 Trunk strength
 Dynamic arm power
 Dynamic leg power

Dynamic

Arm Test .

Purpose .....

 It is used to measure the anaerobic power of the arms in order to determine the
candidate’s ability to carry a stretcher containing a person weighing approximately
185 pounds 1\8 mile with the assistance of one other person and an additional 1\8
mile with the assistance of three other people.
 You need adequate strength in your abdominal (flexor) and lower back (extensor)
muscles to pass these tests.
 Using your arms, you must be able to pedal a stationary bicycle 45 revolutions in one
minute with a very challenging amount of resistance.

Leg Test .

Purpose .....

 It is used to measure the anaerobic power of the legs in order to predict the
candidate’s ability to sprint 100 yards in 19 seconds or less.
 You must pedal a stationary bicycle 70 revolutions in one minute with a very
challenging amount of resistance in order to pass this test.

Physical Exertion Demand on Legs (PEDOL)

Purpose .....

 It is used to determine the candidate’s ability to complete a 500-yard run in two

minutes and twenty seconds.
 This test is a measurement of an individual’s cardiovascular fitness level

Physical Abilities Test:-

  The PAT is designed to stimulate specific jon duties.
 The tests arephysically demanding & could cause injury who is not physically fit.
 Before PAT one must undergo risk assessment.

GRIP STRENGTH TEST....

 This purpose of this test is to measure the strength of the muscles in the fingers, hand
and forearm in order to determine the candidate’s ability to pick up and carry a
stretcher containing a person weighing approximately 185 pounds, with the assistance
of one other person.
 It is performed using a hand dynamometer.
 You must be able to sqeeze 34kg with a hand testing device in order to pass this test.
 It is essential that you strengthen your finger flexor and surrounding hand and forearm
muscles to be prepared for this test.

TRUNK STRENGTH TEST....

 The purpose of this test is to measure abdominal and back strength in order to
determine the candidate’s ability to drag an unconcious person weighing
approximately 165 pounds 20 feet in 20 seconds or less after running 500 yards.
 To carry a stretcher containing a person weighing approximately 185 pounds 1/8 mile
with the assistance of three other people.
 You need adequate strength in your abdominal (flexor) and lower back (extensor)
muscles to pass these tests.

The VERTICAL JUMP.....

 This test is performed on a VY Test Mat.

 The candidate stands on the mat placing his/her feet on the foot imprints.
 The belt is put around his/her waist.
 The tape is pulled through a clip in the belt until taut to adjust for height of the athlete.
 The measuring tape at the mat feeder is always set at 0 cm. The candidate bends
his/her knees and jumps straight upward.
 The length of tape pulled through the feeder indicates the height of the jump.
 The candidate gets three tries at this event.
 The candidate must jump 16 inches to pass the event.

The THREE HUNDRED METER SPRINT.....

 It is performed in running shoes and proper clothing.

 The candidate must complete the run without any help.
 On the command “GO”, the clock will start.
 The marked distance is approximately ¾ of a lap on a standard high school track.
 The candidate must complete the run in 77 seconds to pass the event.
  After this exercise the candidate will be given a 14 minute recovery period before
continuing on with the last portion of the test.

MILE AND ONE-HALF RUN.....

 It is performed in running shoes and proper clothing.

 The candidate may complete this exercise by running or mixing a combination of
running with walking . Although walking is allowed.
 Candidates must complete the run without any physical help.
 On the command “GO”, the clock will start. Candidated must complete the run in 15
minutes, 20 seconds to pass the event.

The SIT AND REACH.....

 Is performed without shoes while sitting on the floor, knees extended (soft joint), and
feet placed squarly against box and no wider than eight inches parct.
 The toes are pointed toward the ceiling and one hand is placed on top of the other
with the fingertips even.
 The candidates leans forward without lunging or bobbing and reaches as fas down a
yardstick as he/she is able.
 The neck remains in the neutral position, the hands stay together and even, and the
stretch must be held for two seconds.
 Three trials are allowed.
 The candidate must reach the required length of 16 inches to pass this event.

Advantages of PAT:

 Physical abilities test can identify individuals who are physically unable to perform
the essential functions of a job without risking injury to themselves or others.
 It helps to decreased absenteeism.
 It helps to save money.
 It helps to reduce risk of furter complications in individual.

Disadvantags of PAT:

 Costly to administered.
 May have age based disparate impact against older applicants.
 Time consuming