CACREP core area 7 of 9
Assessment & Testing for the NCE
20 topics, each with a free study summary, a cheat sheet, and a practice question with rationales. New to this area? Start with the Assessment and testing for the NCE overview.
Measurement Foundations
- Reliabilitytest-retest, internal consistency, inter-rater, parallel forms; standard error of measurementHigh-yield
- Validitycontent, criterion (concurrent/predictive), construct; relationship to reliabilityHigh-yield
- Norms & standardized scoresz-scores, T-scores, stanines, percentiles, normal curve landmarksHigh-yield
- Scales of measurementnominal, ordinal, interval, ratio with counseling examplesFrequently tested
- Norm-referenced vs. criterion-referenced interpretationdifferences, when each fits
- Test bias & fairnessdifferential validity, culture-fair testing attempts, ethical test selection
Categories of Assessment
- Theories of intelligenceSpearman's g, fluid vs. crystallized, multiple intelligences overview
- Intelligence testsWAIS and Stanford-Binet lineage, deviation IQ, appropriate useFrequently tested
- Achievement vs. aptitude testingthe distinction and typical instruments
- Objective personality assessmentMMPI family, validity scales conceptFrequently tested
- Projective techniquesRorschach, TAT; strengths and criticisms
- Behavioral & functional assessmentfunctional behavior assessment basics
Clinical Assessment Process
- Clinical interviewingstructured vs. unstructured, intake content domainsHigh-yield
- Mental status examinationappearance, mood/affect, thought process/content, cognition, insight/judgmentHigh-yield
- Substance use screeningCAGE, AUDIT, SASSI; screening vs. diagnosisHigh-yield
- Trauma & abuse assessmentscreening approaches, safety-first sequencingFrequently tested
- Communicating assessment resultsfeedback ethics, client-accessible language
Diagnosis
Study this area with practice that adapts
Practice questions, flashcards, and a spaced-review queue for every topic, plus timed NCE practice exams. Start with a free topic.