CPS Psychological Evaluation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which approach to psychological assessment uses multiple sources of information across multiple domains to arrive at diagnostic conclusions?
- Ability-achievement discrepancy model
- Cross-battery assessment approach
- Multimethod, multisource, multisetting assessment (Correct answer)
- Single-instrument diagnostic protocol
Correct answer: Multimethod, multisource, multisetting assessment
Multimethod, multisource, multisetting assessment integrates data from multiple instruments, informants, and environments to yield more valid and comprehensive conclusions.
Question 2: In the context of a psycho-educational evaluation, what does 'ecological validity' refer to?
- The degree to which test results relate to real-world functioning and academic performance (Correct answer)
- The extent to which a test was normed in outdoor settings
- The environmental conditions under which testing must occur
- The compliance of a test with federal environmental regulations
Correct answer: The degree to which test results relate to real-world functioning and academic performance
Ecological validity refers to how well assessment findings predict and reflect a student's functioning in naturalistic settings such as the classroom and home.
Question 3: When a psychologist suspects a student may be malingering during an evaluation, the MOST appropriate initial step is to:
- Immediately terminate the evaluation and notify law enforcement
- Administer validity indicators or symptom validity tests to assess response credibility (Correct answer)
- Accept the results as valid and document observations in the report
- Refer the student to a physician before proceeding
Correct answer: Administer validity indicators or symptom validity tests to assess response credibility
Symptom validity tests and performance validity indicators are the appropriate tools to empirically assess whether a student's performance reflects genuine effort and ability.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST describes the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory's importance in psycho-educational evaluation?
- It provides a legal framework for special education eligibility determinations
- It offers a research-validated taxonomy of cognitive abilities that guides test selection and interpretation (Correct answer)
- It establishes the required number of subtests for a valid cognitive evaluation
- It defines the diagnostic criteria for all learning disabilities recognized by IDEA
Correct answer: It offers a research-validated taxonomy of cognitive abilities that guides test selection and interpretation
CHC theory provides a hierarchical, research-supported model of cognitive abilities that guides which cognitive constructs to assess and how to interpret results across cognitive batteries.
Question 5: A student's reading fluency score is at the 8th percentile while their decoding score is at the 45th percentile. This pattern MOST likely suggests:
- An isolated fluency deficit possibly related to automaticity or processing speed (Correct answer)
- A severe phonological processing disorder affecting all reading skills
- Normal reading development with no concerns
- An auditory processing disorder requiring audiological evaluation
Correct answer: An isolated fluency deficit possibly related to automaticity or processing speed
A discrepancy between adequate decoding but poor reading fluency suggests the student may struggle with automaticity or the speed of processing, rather than foundational phonological skills.
Question 6: Under IDEA, which of the following is required when conducting an initial psycho-educational evaluation for special education eligibility?
- Parental consent must be obtained before conducting the evaluation (Correct answer)
- The evaluation must be completed within 10 school days of the referral
- A physician must approve the evaluation before it begins
- The student must fail at least two interventions before being evaluated
Correct answer: Parental consent must be obtained before conducting the evaluation
IDEA mandates that parental written consent must be obtained before conducting an initial evaluation to determine special education eligibility.
Question 7: What is the main limitation of using the ability-achievement discrepancy model to identify specific learning disabilities?
- It requires too many testing sessions to complete
- It often results in a 'wait to fail' pattern and lacks sensitivity to early identification (Correct answer)
- It is prohibited by IDEA 2004 for use in all states
- It cannot be used with students above the age of 12
Correct answer: It often results in a 'wait to fail' pattern and lacks sensitivity to early identification
The discrepancy model requires students to show significant academic failure before qualification, delaying identification and intervention during critical early learning years.
CPS Psychological Evaluation 3
Which approach to psychological assessment uses multiple sources of information across multiple domains to arrive at diagnostic conclusions?