Teen Academic and Personality Testing

By Matthew Ryan, MA, LPC, NCC

Ryan Counseling, PLLC

. https://www.ryancounseling.com/

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Teen Academic and Personality Testing

Starting in elementary and middle school, the pressure to perform well in class and on standardized tests begins. The drumbeat reaches a crescendo as PSATs, SATs and ACTs loom and parents and children start considering potential colleges to aim towards or also if ‘hiccups’ occur in academic performance requiring formal management.

Parents can be easily overwhelmed considering appropriate cognitive and personality tests to evaluate current and potential academic and social development. A few popular and valuable tests to consider are outlined below.

The most popular test to determine individual personality perceptions, approaches, and decisions is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). MBTI is a questionnaire with the intent of determining personality traits focusing on four areas of dichotomous personality traits extraversion vs. introversion, sensing vs. intuition, thinking vs. feeling, and judging vs. perception. Through the questionnaire, the preference of each dichotomy is revealed according to the answers.

An adolescent’s personality generally demonstrates the degree to which academic curriculum can be retained and how social development may occur during formative years. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a proven means for parents and educators to manage the best interest of the adolescent. It is also great for parents to take to learn about their MBTI type in relation to their teen and others.

Academic Strengths Wide Range Achievement Test

The Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT4) is an academic evaluation to compare achievement of students, identify learning disabilities, and determine necessary programs of instruction. It measures academic strengths and weaknesses to consequently enhance weakness through utilization of strengths. For example, if a student proves to be strong in reading comprehension and weak in arithmetic, practicing reading-based arithmetic may enrich arithmetic ability.

Common School Entrance Tests

Two tests commonly used by professionals for testing one’s intelligence quotient (IQ) are the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). The WISC is administered to children and adolescents ages six to 16 while the WAIS is administered to post-pubescent ages, 16 to 90.

The two tests are made up of four indices verbal comprehension index, working memory index, perceptual organization index, and processing speed index which determine IQ. The IQ scale is relevant in understanding cognitive ability to include an individual’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. This information provides professionals the means to determine the capabilities at which an adolescent can comprehend and thus develop a unique plan for academic and social development.

Regardless of the test, parents need to understand that a quantitative evaluation provides a strong basis for teachers, therapists, and other professionals to understand the cognitive functioning and personality appearance of their child. Comprehending behaviors, academic abilities, and emotional responses can assist greatly in the positive progression of a child over time.

Conclusively parents must understand there is no turnkey solution to facilitate academic and social performance, rather professionals can utilize an array of available testing and management techniques to tailor a best fit for your child to ultimately achieve positive academic and social development.