Psychologists use tests to measure the nature and extent of individual differences, either numerically or impressionistically. The two major categories of psychological tests are psychometric and nonpsychometric.
To qualify as a psychometric test the scoring procedures must be purely objective, giving the same results regardless of who gives the test. Items on these tests are structured, and the resulting numerical scores yield continuous or discrete frequency distributions that can be analyzed statistically. Examples of this type of test are the California Personality Inventory (CPI), Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), and Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children (WISC).
The scoring procedures for nonpsychometric tests involve subjective judgment on the part of the scorers. Items on the tests are unstructured and generally ambiguous. Examples of this type of test are the Children's Apperception Test (CAT), Machover Draw-A-Person Test (D-A-P), Rorshach Inkblots (RI), and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
Both types of psychological tests are required by national regulations to comply with the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
Based on: Psychometric Tests. (2004). In Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology.
Tests and measures fall into two categories...
1) Published tests (also known as commercial tests) are copyrighted tests that must be purchased directly from the publisher, and they typically require users to qualify as test administrators before purchases are approved. Published tests can be quite expensive and are generally not sold to libraries.
2) Unpublished tests are not sold commercially. These can be found in a variety of places, including journal articles, dissertations and books. Copyright restrictions vary among unpublished tests, so contacting the author for permission is always recommended.