Psychologists are often asked to complete assessments, or testing. As a clinical psychologist with primary training focus in pediatric neuropsychology, I frequently get asked to complete neuropsychological assessments, and this term has a very specific meaning. For those in the neuropsychology world, this assessment would be for a child with a known history of a brain injury or illness that likely impacts one’s neurological functioning, such as a brain tumor, seizures, or a serious concussion.

However, when I speak to the parents or referring professionals, the request is usually for the assessment of IQ or learning disorders; an assessment psychologist would call this request academic achievement and not neuropsychology. These experiences lead me to believe that a brief explanation of the different types of psychological assessment might be beneficial.

What is psychological testing or assessment?

Psychological assessment refers to the process psychologists use to evaluate an individual’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and personality functioning. This process often includes clinical interviews, behavioral observations, record reviews, and the administration of standardized psychological measures. Standardized measures are carefully developed tests that are administered and scored in a consistent manner, allowing an individual’s performance to be compared to that of others who are demographically similar (such as age, education, sex). An essential aspect of psychological assessment is the use of instruments with demonstrated reliability and........

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