What is the psychometric testing?
Psychometric testing is a standardized scientific method that plays an important role in clinical, educational and professional settings. It enables unbiased assessment of various neurocognitive parameters such as reasoning, memorization, concentration, and abstract thinking. Psychometric assessment targets individual’s two core competencies, such as personality and special skills. It measures objectively person’s personality traits, intelligence, skills, behavioral style, and aptitude.
Types of testing procedures
In psychology, there is a distinction between qualitative (content-based) and quantitative (temporal, proportional) methods, which can be conducted individually and/or in groups. However, it’s crucial to note that test results only provide insights into specific aspects of a person (traits, abilities, preferred behaviours) related to specific questions.
For this reason, when developing psychological testing methods, efforts are made to ensure they have been tested and scientifically validated through various studies. Psychological tests must meet the following criteria successively:
- Objectivity: Are the administration, application, and interpretation independent of the examiner’s or examination situation’s influence?
- Reliability (Accuracy or Consistency): How precisely is the trait measured, or are the measurement results affected by errors to a significant extent?
- Validity: Does the procedure measure what it is supposed to measure?
Psychometric tests in personality assessments
However, assessing cognitive abilities alone isn’t sufficient for most companies and universities. While cognitive prowess matters, they also want to know if the applicant fits their future role or team. Therefore, within psychometric aptitude tests, a personality assessment often follows. It aims to delve deeper into the individual’s attitude, personal motivation, and values.
Traits like assertiveness, empathy, and likability can be examined. In a personality test, such as the “Big Five Personality Test,” unlike cognitive tests, there’s no right or wrong. Instead, it depends on the specific position, education, or field of study, which traits are required.
Psychometric tests in performance assessments
Psychometric tests often serve as cognitive performance assessments. These tests evaluate competencies in areas such as general knowledge, logic, language, concentration, and intelligence.
The general knowledge can be tested asking questions related to general education.
Logical reasoning and concentration can be tested through numerical or alphabetical tasks.
Spatial reasoning, mathematical skills, and language proficiency can also be assessed in a performance test.
Use of psychometric tests in psychiatric and educational field
In the field of psychiatry, psychometric tests allow to identify variety of deficiencies for example depression, anxiety, ADHD. It’s an important tool to secure the psychiatric diagnosis based on the clinical investigation.
In educational field, psychometric testing plays an important role in identifying learning disabilities, enabling teachers to find the most appropriate support for their students.
Use of psychometric tests for professional purposes
For career purposes, psychometric assessment helps you to find a career path that matches your individual personality and skills.
The psychometric test assesses a person’s cognitive abilities and personality traits. It evaluates whether employees can master specific professional role. It helps to understand aspects of an employee’s personality, mental abilities, and behavioral patterns that could not be assessed in an interview.
Therefore, psychometric evaluation become a popular method for companies to find suitable candidates for specific positions. One of the most frequently applied tests in the corporate world is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This test is based on C.G.Jung’s personality typology.
The psychometric assessment can be used in every aspect of your individual’s career life cycle. It helps you at the beginning of the employment to find a career matching your personality. The proper choice of a career path will significantly reduce the risk of future disappointments, frustrations, and professional burn out.
Looking from the corporate perspective the psychometric assessment helps the company to find the most suitable candidate for the vacant position. In the following career stages, it helps the employee and the company to choose the proper professional training and/or leadership development.
Who can appley psychological testing?
The administration, evaluation, and interpretation of psychological testing procedures should only be conducted by individuals or delegated to those with sufficient qualifications and experience. Psychological testing procedures and their application require appropriate education and ongoing professional development. This is necessary because tests development and new validation methods change continuously.
Testing is typically reserved for professionals such as psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, physicians, and special education teachers.
Psychometric tests. Summary
The use of testing procedures serves various purposes and can have different objectives. In the realm of psychological counselling, psychological testing can provide insights into one’s own personality. An important goal of test application lies in the selection of the appropriate treatment method along with the monitoring of the treatment progress.
All testing procedures share the commonality of presenting specific tasks for the participant to complete. The way these tasks are solved allows for insights into how the test subject is likely to behave in other real-life situations and under similar demands.
The main areas of psychological testing procedures encompass intelligence assessment, personality and developmental assessment, neuropsychological inquiries, and clinical psychology. Additionally, psychological testing procedures play a significant role in the field of occupational aptitude assessment.
In the context of psychological counselling, these tests are instrumental in helping individuals gain self-awareness and understand their psychological makeup. They can assist therapists in tailoring effective treatment plans and tracking progress.
Psychological testing is becoming increasingly important in the field of personnel selection and development. Applicants and employees can be compared with other candidates or colleagues regarding their abilities. This enables organizations to make informed decisions regarding recruitment, training, and professional development, ultimately contributing to more effective and efficient workplaces.
In summary, the application of psychological testing serves multifaceted purposes, spanning from self-discovery and therapeutic planning to educational support and personnel management.