Psychometric Testing of

Students a work in
progress
All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have equal
opportunity to develop our talent.
John. F . Kennedy

Andy Watts
February 2011

 Year 10 Case Study

What is Psychometric Testing?
How can this help students?
Where are we now?
Questions

Year 10 Case Study

Confident, precocious, intelligent child who never showed any signs
of problems, pressures or frustrations until her personal
circumstances changed
Initially tested at 13 due to a mothers intuition about possible
depression nobody involved in her education seemed to be able to
do anything to help
Following results from EI and PPA, which alerted the fact there was a
problem, she was taken to an educational psychologist who identified
her to be exceptionally bright but diagnosed her with Dysgraphia; a
form of dyslexia.
Before being diagnosed with this condition, the child exhibited anger
and frustration thinking she was stupid, resulting in her withdrawing
and disengaging from lessons. She now understands her own
problem and with the help of the school has put strategies in place to
deal with this.

 Following her diagnosis and work with the educational

psychologist, she was tested again and has dramatically
improved on areas of her EI which initially indicated
depression.
Her parents now consider her to be back on track but
fortunate that they were lucky enough to have access to
something extra to help their daughter.

Extension after representation

3 workshops were held in July involving 18
year 10 students.
The workshops covered communications and
self awareness, preparation for and practice
of job interviews and a Thomas PPA
psychometric test which was reported to each
student.
All agreed that the pilot programme had been
successful and helpful.

What is Psychometric Testing?

Psychometrics is the study and measurement of individual differences
in human beings to see how they are different from each other. Tests
include the measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and traits.
It has a 100 year history and tests sell over $2 billion per year
internationally.
Thomas offers three different assessments to look at the various
aspects which make up an individual:
Behaviour Personal Profile Analysis (PPA)
Aptitude
General Intelligence Assessment (GIA)
Emotion
Emotional Intelligence (EI)

Thomas Assessments
Behaviours

Aptitude&Ability

Personality&
Awareness
HardSkills
Competency

Thomas Assessments
Behaviours

Personality&
Awareness

PPA

GIA

Aptitude&Ability

EIQ
Skills

Competency

360

HardSkills

Personal Profile Analysis (PPA)

Provides an insight into how people behave.
Understand Strengths and Limitations?
What can an individual bring to the
team?
Communication Styles.
Fears, Motivators & Values.

Marstons Theory
PERCIEVED SITUATION

Hostile, unfriendly,
antagonistic

DOMINANCE

COMPLIANCE

(POWER)

(POLICY)

ACTIVE
BEHAVIOURS

PASSIVE
BEHAVIOUR
S

STEADINESS

INFLUENC
E

(PACE)

(PEOPLE)

Friendly, favourable

Personal Profile Analysis (PPA)

Dominanc
e Strength -Driving
Working
Competitive
Forceful
Inquisitive
Direct
Self-Starting
Efficiency Factor

Mild Mannered Assertive

Low Decision Need
Non demanding
Accommodating
Hesitant

Influence
Working Strength -Influential
Persuasive
Friendly
Verbal
Communicative
Efficiency Factor Positive
Reserved
Reflective
Probing
Serious
Suspicious
Self-Conscious

Steadiness
Working Strength -Dependable
Deliberate
Amiable
Persistent
Efficiency Factor
Mobile
Alert
Active
Restless
Demonstrative

Good Listener
Kind

Compliance
Working Strength - Compliant
Careful
Systematic
Precise
Efficiency Factor
Firm
Persistent
Stubborn
Strong-Willed
Independent

Accurate
Perfectionist
Logical

Self
Awareness

General Intelligence Assessment

(GIA) Provides an insight into

an individuals fluid
intelligence and speed of
learning
Do they prefer to do
things quickly and
accurately; slowly and
accurately; quickly and
inaccurately or slowly and
accurately
Looks at 5 cognitive
areas; reasoning,
perceptual speed,
number, speed and
accuracy, word meaning
and spatial visualisation

Emotional Intelligence (EI)

Provides an insight into how
people get on with each other
and it is critical to successful
work
An index of an individuals
perceived ability to understand
process and utilise emotion
related information in every
day life.
Looks at how well they
manage their own emotions
and the emotions of others
Individual facets looked at
include self esteem, self
motivation, adaptability, stress
management

How can this help students?

Rather than a broad brush approach, gives each individual
increased self awareness regarding their own:
behaviour including strengths and limitations and preferred
style of working/learning
their level of emotional intelligence and can highlight
issues such as self esteem and confidence which may
prevent a small problem spiralling out of control
cognitive skills; are they more literate or numerate?; do
they prefer data and spreadsheets or graphics?; do they
solve problems quickly or prefer to take their time and think
about things?

Where are we now?

Two distinct groups of student selected (May/Jun)
Students invited to undertake assessments &
Parental agreement sought with Parents
Information evening (Sept/Oct)
Staff trained by Thomas to interpret Assessments
(Nov to Jan)
Intervention strategies being formulated (ongoing)
Feedback to individuals started (Feb)

Issues and other stuff.

Involvement of parents
Time to feedback
EI
Intervention strategies to be employed
Working with other agencies
Informing staff and integrating into
classroom practice
How to measure Impact

Questions?