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What is the difference between testing and assessment?

Where can I use testing and/or assessment?
How can I, as a future clinician, be helped by assessment or testing in dealing with my
client/s?
TESTING AND ASSESSMENT

Psychological Testing and Assessment Defined

Testing – the term used to refer to everything from the administration of a test to the interpretation of a test
score.
Psychological assessment – the gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making a
psychological evaluation that is accomplished through the use of tools such as tests, interviews, case studies,
behavioral observations, and specifically designed apparatuses and measurement procedures.
Psychological testing – the process of measuring psychology-related variables by means of devices or procedures
designed to obtain a sample behavior.

Nature and Uses of Psychological Testing

TABLE 1-1: Testing in Contrast to Assessment

TESTING
Objective
Typically, to obtain some gauge, usually numerical
in nature, with regard to an ability or attribute. Battery
of tests - 7 to 8 different tests.
Process
Testing may be individual (WAIS OR WISC,
STANFORD BINET, TAT) or group in nature. After test
administration, the tester will typically add up “the
number of correct answers or the number of certain
responses… with little if any regard for the how or
mechanics of such content.”
Role of Evaluator
The tester is not the key to the process; practically
speaking, one tester may be substituted for another
tester without appreciably affecting the evaluation.
Skill of Evaluator
Testing typically requires technician-like skills in
terms of administering and scoring a test as well as in
interpreting a test result.
Outcome
Typically, testing yields a test score or series of
test scores.
ASSESSMENT
Objective
Typically, to answer a referral question, solve a
problem, or arrive at a decision through the use of
tools of evaluation.
Process
Assessment is typically individualized. In contrast
to testing, assessment more typically focuses on how
an individual processes rather than simply the results
of that processing.
Role of Evaluator
The assessor is the key to the process of selecting
tests and/or other tools of evaluation as well as in
drawing conclusions from the entire evaluation.
Skill of Evaluator
Assessment typically requires an education
selection of tools of evaluation, skill in evaluation, and
thoughtful organization and integration of data.
Outcome
Typically, assessment entails a logical problem-
solving approach that brings to bear many sources of
data designed to shed light on a referral question.

Besides tests, what other tools of psychological assessment come to mind?

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

Clinical assessments, or psychological assessments, can be defined as a process of collecting, analyzing and
interpreting information in order to make judgments and decisions about human behavior and mental
processes. Evaluations provide us with the process of coming up with a judgment or an appraisal of what an
individual can and cannot do.
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Definitions of other important terms:

Testing – process of sampling behaviors/skills by using ready-made tests
Measurement – activity that assign quantitative principle and end with a quantity of psychological construct
Evaluation – process of coming up with judgment – to appraise what an individual can and can’t do
Assessment – collect, process and interpret information in order to make judgments and decisions

The goals of such assessments include the following:

1. Classification. Through assessments we can classify behavior and quantify it as well in order to come up with a
clinical diagnosis.
2. Description. Assessments can provide an explanation of a current condition or concern.
3. Prediction. Lastly, through classifying and describing behaviors, one is able to predict future behavior and
tendencies given certain conditions.
4. Interventions. Given that we can come up with plausible behaviors and tendencies given certain conditions,
assessments can also be useful in formulating interventions and/or RECOMMENDATIONS.

What is our role as clinicians? (Assessment and Psychotherapy)

1. Answer specific questions and aid in making relevant decisions
2. Expert in human behavior
3. Understand and appreciate multiple causation, interactional influences, and multiple relationships
4. Understand tests and test construction

Kinds of Assessment
1. Collaborative psychological assessment
2. Therapeutic psychological assessment
3. Dynamic assessment

Four Pillars of Assessment

1. Interview – case history, intake admission interview, mental status interview
2. Observation – informal and formal types
3. Tests – intellectual abilities and personality/socioemotional aspect
4. Informal methods – personal documents, school records, medical records, etc.

The Clinical Assessment Process Flowchart in more detail:

1. Obtain a reason for referral.
2. Evaluate the referral question.
• A parent, a teacher, a psychiatrist, a judge, etc. poses a question about a patient.
• One must understand what the question is all about, what the referral is actually seeking.
• Contact referral source if needed.
3. Plan data collection.
• Consider the PROBLEM, the ADEQUACY, and the APPLICABILITY of the test. Don’t just select a test out
of convenience or availability.
• Be familiar with psychological jargon (but don’t be too gung-ho on using these jargon out of context).
• Have an in-depth knowledge about the variables that you will measure. In short, know what it is you
are trying to find out. Then match these with tests that will help clarify such questions.
• Understand psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of a test.
• Consider the age, skills/capacity of the client, and the nature of administration (individual or group?).
4. Data collection (Tools and Methods).
• Actual collection of data. Sources may include test scores, behavioral observations, intake interviews,
other sources (records, past evaluations, medical records, teacher reports, etc).
• A Case History provides a context for understanding the client’s problem/s.
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5. Scoring and interpreting the data.

• End product of assessment: description of the client’s present level of functioning, considerations
relating to etiology, prognosis, and treatment recommendations.
• Developing clinical impressions.
6. Communicating findings.
• Written psychological report. Results must be written and presented in a way that is clear, relevant to
the goal of the assessment, and useful to the consumer.
• Giving oral feedback.

THE TOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

The Tests

Test – a measuring device or procedure designed to measure a variable related to a modifier.

Psychological test – refers to a device or procedure designed to measure variables related to psychology.

Types of Test based on Administration

Individual
Group
Performance such as role play test
Computer-assisted test
Pencil-and-paper test
Oral test

Types of Test based on Measure

Intelligence test
Achievement test
Aptitude test
Personality test

Test of any kind, whether for academic, psychological, or job placement purpose and beyond others must have
the following characteristics:
1. Standardized
2. Objective
3. Valid
4. Reliable

Are all tests valid and reliable?

The Interview

Interview – a face-to-face interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee. It is a method of gathering
information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange.

Must observe during an interview are…

Verbal language
Nonverbal language (eye contact, facial expression, body posture/position/movements,
attitude)
Physical appearance

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the interview as a tool of assessment?
What are the interviewing skills a professional in the field of psychology should have?
Who are the sources for interviews in doing clinical assessment?
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Behavioral Observation

Behavioral observation – defined as monitoring the actions of others or oneself by visual or electronic means
while recording quantitative and/or qualitative information regarding the actions.

Types of Observation
Naturalistic observation
Direct observation

Informal Methods

Portfolio – samples of one’s ability and accomplishment.

Case history data – refers to various records such as medical results, academic transcripts, and other accounts in
written, pictorial or other form that preserve archival information, official and informal accounts, and other data
and items relevant to an assessee.

Who are the Parties in the Assessment Enterprise?

The test developer
The test user
The test taker
Society at large

In What Types of Settings are Assessments Conducted, and Why?

Educational setting
Clinical setting
Counseling setting
Geriatric setting
Business and military setting
Governmental and organizational credentialing
Other settings

How are Assessments Conducted?

Administration
Scoring and interpretation
Ethical guidelines
Training
Testing conditions

What are the issues in doing assessment, particularly testing?

Where to Go for Authoritative Information: Reference Sources?
Test catalogues
Test manuals
Reference volumes
Journal articles
Online databases
Other sources

SOURCES:

Cohen, R. J. & Swerdlik, M. E., (2010). Psychological Testing and Assessment: An introduction to tests and
measurement, 7th ed. Published by McGraw-Hill, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. New York, USA. Printed in
Singapore.
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