Psychological Test Administration Standards

Sound test administration practices are outlined in Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing and are summarized here. The first principle governing testing ethics is that clients (examinees) be afforded a non-distracting testing environment in which they are able to communicate on testing about their problems and concerns. The potential for testing problems arising from test administration can be virtually eliminated by sound test administration practices. The following is a review of the testing practices we indicate are necessary for using our testing service require that the test administrator and test proctor adhere to the following:


  1. that the client is well, not emotionally distraught and not intoxicated or sick;
  2. that the client has his or her reading glasses and can read and is literate at least at the seventh grade reading level - have the client read the test instructions out loud if there is any doubt - oral (taped or read) presentation is most satisfactory if there is a reading problem;
  3. that it is important that the test monitor knows that the client understands what to do - have the client repeat what they are supposed to do and do not start the testing until that is clear;
  4. that the monitor help the client with directions only and is never to explain what a question means or is supposed to mean;
  5. the attitude that is to be conveyed to the client is that they have the opportunity to communicate about problems, difficulties, strengths, needs, etc., through the testing medium;
  6. that a #2 pencil be used so that marks are dark but also that the client may erase an unwanted mark;
  7. that the client has a testing environment that is free of distractions such as noise, other people talking, poor lighting, etc.
  8. that if the client is placed in a testing room with another examinee, no talking occur between them - the number of people in a testing room is not an issue, only that there are no distractions;
  9. that the client is adequately monitored while taking the tests, that the tests are not taken off the premises, if the client needs a break they do not remove any tests from the premises, and clients are not in a position where they could have someone else take the tests for them or give them answers;
  10. that the person monitoring the testing checks from time to time on how the testing is going;
  11. if for some reason the client decides to stop the testing, they be allowed to do so.
  12. if there are any irregularities that could cause a test miss either observed of the client or the testing environment, they are noted on the testing materials when they are sent to us;
  13. that the client use only first, middle and last initials or an agency code on all tests and that your agency remove client's names, if they forget, before sending tests on to us;
  14. that you make sure all demographic data requested on the test forms is filled in.

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© 2010 Nichols and Molinder Assessments, Inc.
437 Bowes Drive • Fircrest, WA 98466–7047 USA • Phone 253–565–4539 • Fax 253–565–0164