Testing people with disabilities
Therefore, when assessing people for employment using psychometric tests, there's a growing likelihood that an individual with a disability will be one of the applicants.
In this situation, it's imperative that the user balances proper standardised test administration with the need for effective assessment of someone with a disability and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
This requires knowledge of relevant disability issues, knowledge of testing, appropriate testing policy, procedures and processes and a flexible approach.
It's not necessary for a test user to be an expert in all these areas as long as correct processes are in place for accessing appropriate expertise if and when it's needed.
This requires some preparation when an assessment process is set up. This should cover the following areas:
- Ensure that test policy covers reasonable adjustments to testing processes for candidates with a disability
- Provide appropriate training for all test users and other recruiters
Test procedures
Make sure test procedures are appropriate and particularly that:
- Candidates with a disability know who to contact regarding requests for reasonable adjustments
- Test administrators know what to do when a request for adjustments is received
- Provide a list of contact details for relevant experts, advisors, special equipment etc.
With these in place, the test user should be able to deal effectively with requests for adjustments as and when they occur.
Getting advice
There are many sources of advice and information available concerning disability generally and test use for people with disabilities. More information about testing people with disabilities can be found on the Guidelines on testing and test use page of this website.
Most test publishers provide advice on adapting their tests and some can also provide alternative format materials (e.g. tests in Braille). Many will provide free guidelines on the subject. There are organisations that provide information and support for people with specific disabilities as well as organisations that deal with more general disability issues, or specialise in employment issues.
They're often good sources of information on obtaining equipment or specialists such as sign language interpreters. There're a number of psychologists with expertise in testing and disability who can provide advice and consultancy in general testing matters and with specific candidates. Please see the BPS Directory of Chartered Psychologists.
Find out more
Contact us
If you have any queries, please contact the Customer Support Team.
Where can I find test reviews?
The BPS publishes independent reviews of psychological tests.
Test publishers can choose to submit a test to the BPS for review, and the independent review process is carried out by the BPS Testing Standards Committee.
Members of the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU), Chartered and Graduate BPS members can download full and unlimited test reviews for free.
To access reviews, please visit the searchable directory of Test Reviews.
Contact us
If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].
How can I promote my testing services?
You can do this using the following steps.
Members of the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU) can promote their services as test users in the Find a BPS qualified test user.
You can find out more information for current qualification holders.
To apply to be on the register, fill in the application form.
Contact us
If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].