Psychometric test administration (2)

In this session, you will learn how to administer psychometric tests correctly, including the importance of standardisation, reading publisher instructions verbatim, and handling candidate questions and example items. The unit also covers how to manage practical aspects such as timing, invigilation, and collecting test materials, as well as considerations when administering personality assessments. By following these guidelines, you help ensure fairness, reliability, and validity in the testing process.

After this talk, you will:

• Understand your role as a guide and motivator when administering psychometric tests.

• Know the importance of reading publisher instructions word for word during test administration and not changing them.

• Recognise when it is acceptable to use your own words, namely during the introduction, but not during formal test instructions.

• Be aware of the need for standardisation to ensure fairness, reliability and validity of test results.

• Be able to handle practice or example questions, ensuring candidates know these do not count towards their score.

• Know what to do if a candidate does not understand the instructions or example questions – only re-read the publisher’s instructions, do not elaborate.

• Ensure candidates have multiple opportunities to ask questions before formal testing begins.

• Avoid jargon and use clear, understandable language when communicating with candidates.

• Understand the procedure for handing out and collecting test materials, including maintaining a 1:10 ratio of administrators to candidates.

• Know how to prompt candidates to complete necessary biographical data and explain why such information is collected.

• Monitor and invigilate properly, making sure candidates are completing the correct sections and acting appropriately during the test.

• Be prepared to deliver instructions clearly, confidently, and at an appropriate pace.

• Know the specific differences in administering personality assessments compared to ability tests, such as explaining the lack of right or wrong answers and the test being untimed.

• Be able to explain the importance of honesty in personality assessments and inform candidates about style scales that monitor their response approach.

• Understand how and when to dismiss candidates in batches for untimed assessments to avoid disrupting others.

• Remember to administer ability assessments before personality assessments in combined sessions.

• Ensure all test materials are collected and accounted for before dismissing candidates from the room.

• Know how to end the session professionally, offering feedback or outlining next steps as required.

• Be prepared to discuss and manage questions from candidates, potential deviant behaviours, and requests for disability accommodations.