Final Analysis of a Selected Test

Psychological Testing

Toni L. Hagen

Capella University

Introduction

Back in the day there wasn’t the resources to be able to detect mental disorders, typical childhood disorders, developmental and intellectual disorders, and many more. With all the technology and clinicians, we have so many resources to be able to detect a disability and mental illness much sooner now. Testing is very beneficial in many ways such as, children with education for instance. I suffer from ADHD and Dyslexia, so going through school as a child was extremely hard and I didn’t like it at all. Starting college was a struggle and it still can be once in a while with not being able to focus. I wasn’t diagnosed till I was 20 and the only reason I did is because I was on academic suspension and that wasn’t the only time. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t just get good grades or understand the information. I talked to my counselor and my mom; I made an appointment to see a psychiatrist. I did two days of different kinds of testing, some on paper, couple on the computer and flashcards. After I got the results back and figured out what was going on things improved. I graduated with my bachelor’s in general psychology and currently now in my Graduate program in Clinical Psychology. I never thought I would ever be where I am today and am so thankful for testing.

Purpose for Testing, Content and Skills, and Intended Test Takers

Testing is very useful for many things. Not just in psychology but with everything such as; driving, eye tests, school tests, etc. The purpose of testing is so there is a definitive diagnosis of psychiatric conditions and prescriptive protocols in order for the client to be able to identify strengths and weaknesses to become successful (Neuro Assessment & Development Center, (2020). Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) is a comprehensive and conformed assessment that offers the combined strengths of both flexible and fixed battery to all clinicians to focus on specific areas of concern (Robert A. Stern, PhD, and Travis White, PhD, (2020). There are 33 NAB tests that has two equivalent, parallel forms that were created and normed simultaneously to facilitate reevaluation while avoiding practice effects (Robert A. Stern, PhD, and Travis White, PhD, (2020). NAB has five domain-specific modules and includes a Daily Living test. A Daily Living test is intended to be multifactorial in nature and related to real-world tasks (Robert A. Stern, PhD, and Travis White, PhD, (2020). Daily Living test evaluates; auditory and reading comprehension, simple calculations, problem-solving, and decisional capacity (Robert A. Stern, PhD, and Travis White, PhD, (2020). Five domain-specific modules of NAB; Attention, Language, Memory, Spatial, and Executive Functions (Robert A. Stern, PhD, and Travis White, PhD, (2020). There also is a sixth domain module, Screening, which allows a clinician to determine which of the five other domains are appropriate to administer to a certain client (Robert A. Stern, PhD, and Travis White, PhD, (2020).

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales 3rd Edition is the leading instrument for supporting the diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities. This type of test isn’t just used for diagnosis but provides crucial information for developing educational and treatment plans (Sara S. Sparrow, PhD, Domenic V. Cicchetti, PhD, Celine A. Saulnier, PhD, (2020).

NEPSY 2nd Edition is the only single measure that allows clinicians to create tailored assessments across six domains, specific to a child’s situation (Marit Korkman, Ph.D., Ursula Kirk, Ph.D., Sally Kemp, Ph.D., (2020). This type of test provides information relating to typical childhood disorders, enabling accurate diagnosis and intervention planning for success in school and at home (Marit Korkman, Ph.D., Ursula Kirk, Ph.D., Sally Kemp, Ph.D., (2020).

Appropriateness of Test Content, Skills Tests, and Content Coverage

NAB testing has been a standardized test used for individuals from ages 18 to 97 (Gavett B.E. (2011). This type of testing is either fixed or flexible capacity (Gavett B.E. (2011). Attention Module provides a marker a person’s attentional capacity, working memory, psychomotor speed, selective attention, divided attention, and information processing speed (Gavett B.E. (2011). Language Module provided a marker of the severity of aphasia and related disorders of language production, comprehension, and word-finding. Spatial Module provides a marker of the examinee’s visuoperceptual skills, attention to visual detail, visuoconsruction, right-left orientation, topographical orientation, and visual scanning (Gavett B.E. (2011). Memory Module uses a person’s verbal explicit learning, visual explicit learning, verbal delayed free recall, visual delayed recognition memory, and verbal explicit learning and recognition of information (Gavett B.E. (2011). Executive Functions Module uses planning, engaging with others effectively, problem solving, successfully interacting with the environment to get one’s needs met, judgement, conceptualization, cognitive response set, mental flexibility, verbal fluency, and generativity (Gavett B.E. (2011). Lastly Screening Module streamlines the assessment process by providing scores that quickly let you know whether further assessment should be conducted (Gavett B.E. (2011).

Materials Provided by Test Developers

NAB testing kits include video training program DVD and the NAB-SP, NAB Form 1 kit, NAB screening kit, and four NAB manuals (Gavett B.E. (2011).

Test-User Knowledge, Skills, and Training

When it comes to testing, not just any individual is allowed to hand out or give tests to anyone. For some test as a psychologist with a master’s degree but most require a PhD or PsyD from an accredited college. Also, the individual needs to have the correct licensure. Minnesota requires completion of a 72-quarter credit master's degree in counseling or a related field. Applicants must align their coursework to meet content areas. Learners will need to choose either PSY6505 or PSY6510 to meet the Family Counseling and Therapy content area. Learners will need to add a minimum of 100 hours to their supervised field experience to meet the hour's requirement.

State boards review each applicant's completed education, exam scores, supervised experience, criminal history, and application materials to determine eligibility.

Comparisons and Contrasts of the Three Tests

All three tests have very different ways of what the outcome is for testing. Not one test is better than the other but could work better for certain types of disorders/disabilities. For instance, I would use the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales 3rd Edition for testing developmental/intellectual disorders but could also use the NAB for attention. Tests are used for many different things, but some tests show more detailed results than others.

References