Performance Validity and Effort Indicators Flashcards

On the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), what Trial 2 score is the traditional cutoff suggesting poor effort?

Answer: Below 45 out of 50

A TOMM Trial 2 or Retention score below 45 is the standard indicator of possible insufficient effort.

Why do many clinicians give a freestanding PVT early in a WAIS-IV battery?

Answer: It helps set the validity of the session before major ability testing

Giving a PVT early helps check effort at the start, and more PVTs spread through the battery check whether effort stays the same.

Which pattern on the WAIS-IV is most consistent with possible noncredible performance?

Answer: Missing easy Digit Span items while passing harder ones

Failing easy items while passing harder ones does not fit genuine ability and may point to invalid performance.

What is the best practice for discussing PVTs with an examinee before testing?

Answer: Ask them to give their best effort without naming which tests measure validity

Professional guidelines support encouraging full effort while protecting test security by not naming specific validity measures.

On the WAIS-IV, which Digit Span tasks are used for the original Reliable Digit Span?

Answer: Forward and Backward only

The original RDS uses Forward and Backward, while the Reliable Digit Span-Revised (RDS-R) adds Sequencing.

A person scores far below norms on Coding, yet their everyday work involves fast data entry. What might this mismatch suggest?

Answer: A possible validity concern that needs more checking

Scores that do not match real-world function are a red flag for noncredible performance and need confirmation with PVTs.

The Rey 15-Item Test is generally viewed as having which limitation?

Answer: Relatively low sensitivity to noncredible performance

The Rey 15-Item Test is easy to pass and so misses many cases of poor effort, although its specificity is fairly good.