Dr. Kathleen Sandal-Miller, Licensed Psychologist

Achievement and aptitude tests--are usually seen in educational or employment settings, and they attempt to measure either how much you know about a certain topic (i.e., your achieved knowledge), such as mathematics or spelling, or how much of a capacity you have (i.e., your aptitude) to master material in a particular area, such as mechanical relationships.

Intelligence tests-- attempt to measure your your basic ability to understand the world around you, assimilate its functioning, and apply this knowledge to enhance the quality of your life. Intelligence is a measure of a potential, not a measure of what you've learned (as in an achievement test). It is supposed to be independent of culture.

Neuropsychological tests--attempt to measure deficits in cognitive functioning (i.e., your ability to think, speak, reason, etc.) that may result from some sort of brain damage, such as a stroke or a brain injury.

Occupational tests --attempt to match your interests with the interests of persons in known careers. The logic here is that if the things that interest you in life match up with, say, the things that interest most school teachers, then you might make a good school teacher yourself.

Personality tests-- attempt to measure your basic personality style and are most used in research or forensic settings to help with clinical diagnoses. Two of the most well-known personality tests are:

o the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), or the revised MMPI-2, composed of several hundred yes or no questions, and 

o The Rorschach (the inkblot test), composed of several cards of inkblots you simply give a description of the images and feelings you experience in looking at the blots.

Specific clinical tests--attempt to measure specific clinical matters, such as your current level of anxiety or depression.

Psychological tests are usually administered and interpreted by a licensed psychologist because studies in psychopathology, along with academic courses and supervision in psychological testing, are an integral part of the doctoral degree in clinical psychology. A counselor who has had the appropriate academic courses and supervision may administer certain occupational tests or achievement and aptitude tests, but most counselors have not received the training to administer personality tests. Academic courses and supervision in psychological testing are usually not part of a psychiatrist's medical training, so most psychiatrists can ethically administer only specific clinical tests that are a straight-forward check-list of symptoms.

The rise of the Internet, ethical breaches and economic motivations has led to certain individuals offering to do all kinds of psychological testing even when they lack the professional training to administer and interpret such tests. Insist that the person administering the test is a licensed psychologist with a doctorate degree from an accredited university. Resist tests administered by psychological "assistants", "registered" psychologists or student interns, particularly if a licensed psychologist is only rubber stamping the interpretations.