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Psychology

What is a psychological test?

Psychological tests are assessment tools frequently used in many fields of psychology. They are used to measure a range of variables related to psychology, such as intelligence, personality, or attitudes and so on, and they usually involve the analysis of a sample of behavior. Tests are a standardized measurement instrument - they may be called an inventory, questionnaire, index, scale, checklist, profile or a test.

The Library does not hold copies of tests - tests are published commercially and are often restricted to trained or registered professionals - but we can help you locate test reviews and identify suitable tests for your research.

What APA Says About Finding Tests

APA (FAQ: Finding Information About Psychological Tests)

  • Find out about using published and unpublished tests here.
  • The APA Science Directorate answers hundreds of calls and emails each year from persons trying to locate the right test or find more information about psychological tests. APA neither sells nor endorses testing instruments, but it does provide guidance in using available resources to find psychological tests. Answers to frequently asked questions are provided below and are divided into three topic areas: published psychological tests, unpublished psychological tests and additional information on the proper use of tests.

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