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    Test reviews and registration

    Access information to assist you with test selection, by searching the BPS Registered Tests list and test reviews. Search our list of test publishers and distributors to find companies who sell and develop tests.

    Why are test reviews important?

    Test publishers and distributors in the UK submit tests for registration and review on a voluntary basis.

    Test reviews are reviewed independently by two Reviewers and two Editors against the European Federation of Psychologists Association Review Model for the Description and Evaluation of Psychological Tests.

    This EFPA Review Model has been produced to support and encourage the process of harmonising the quality standards and the reviewing of tests across Europe.

    Where a test meets a certain standard in terms of the key EFPA criteria, including the quality of the test's technical and user documentation, the quality of the test materials, the test's validity, reliability, and the provision of norms or other information necessary for meaningful interpretation of scores, it is awarded BPS Registered Test status.

    Find out more about the BPS test review process.

    Over 160 tests have been reviewed by our test reviews editorial team, who are all BPS Chartered Psychologists and experts in the field of testing and test use. 

    • Full reviews of tests are available free to members of the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU) and to Chartered and Graduate members of the BPS
    • Test review abstracts are available free of charge to non-members
    • Non-members may purchase full reviews of tests for £16.48 per test review

    To purchase a test review contact us at [email protected].

    Further information
    • Publishing research online
      List of Test Reviews
      Our test review and registration process helps test users identify an appropriate test suitable for their needs.
      Search the list of test reviews
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      Take a practice test
      The list of companies offering practice tests allows our users to experience taking a psychological test for themselves.
      Search the list of practice tests
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      Join the list of Practice Test Providers
      Entry onto the list is free to those who already subscribe to any of the BPS website listings, otherwise the fee is £78.
      Apply to join the list

    Submitting a test for review

    What are the benefits of submitting a test for registration and review?

    • Tests that succeed in meeting the criteria for Registration will be awarded a Certificate of Registration by the BPS, which you can use to promote your test
    • The use of the BPS Registered Test logo
    • The test will appear as a Registered Test on the BPS's Psychological Testing Centre website
    • Registration is granted for a period of 5 years
    • The full review and registered test status will be linked to your entry on the List of test publishers
    • The opportunity to raise the profile of your test via the BPS's Psychological Testing Centre website

    What are the review criteria?

    Test reviews are a full review of a test, reviewed independently by two Reviewers and two Editors against the European Federation of Psychologists Association Review Model for the Description and Evaluation of Psychological Tests (The EFPA Review Model).

    How to submit a test for review

    Please download and complete The test review and registration process information and application pack for test publishers and email the Assessment & Awards team at [email protected] to request a secure link where you can submit the completed application form along with the test materials.

    Find out more
    • Man searching digital list
      List of Test Publishers and Distributors
      This list is used to find companies who sell and develop tests in the UK, and is intended to be informative not evaluative.
      Search the list
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      Information for Test Publishers
      Publishers included on this list have either had test materials evaluated in a BPS review or have agreed that their materials will be included in a future review.
      Apply to appear on the list
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      Get a qualification in test use
      Find all you need to know about qualifications in test use, the benefits and how to apply.
      Learn how to qualify
    Frequently asked questions

    • Where can I find someone to help me develop a test?

      We have a list of chartered psychologists who can help.

      Search the BPS Directory of Chartered Psychologists for psychologists offering test development services.

      Search for 'test development' in the dropdown menu marked 'type or treatment of service' and a list of psychologists offering this service will display.

      Contact us

      If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].

       

    • Who can I complain to about a training course provider?

      Training courses are offered independently, and queries should be raised directly with the course director in the first instance.

      Training courses leading to eligibility for the BPS's qualifications in test use and entry on to the RQTU are offered by Chartered Psychologists who have undergone a process of verification.

      The aim of the verification process is to ensure that quality standards are maintained in the assessment of candidates.

      Verifiers do not address the candidate's training. Instead they focus on the quality of assessment methods used to ensure that the end result is comparable from one Verified Assessor to another, irrespective of the training route the candidate has taken.

      Chartered Psychologists have to abide by the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct.

      Contact us

      If you wish to make a complaint on the grounds of professional misconduct please consult the BPS complaints procedure on our website.

       

    • Testing people with disabilities

      Estimates suggest that some 16% of the working age population in the UK have a disability.

      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. 

       

    • Taking a test as part of employment

      Can an employee be made to take a test by a consultant working for the employee's company? Does the employee have the right to refuse to take a test? What rights does an employer have to discipline an employee who refuses? Is an employee entitled to feedback if the outcome of the test is likely to affect their career/employment?

      It would be inappropriate for this website to provide legal advice, therefore for definitive information about employment law, you should consult a legal expert.

      In general, what an employer can ask of an employee is determined by the contract of employment, although a contract cannot usually overrule legal rights and requirements under employment law.

      You should have received a written copy of your contract and any staff handbook of company policies and procedures.

      It would usually be expected that an employee complies with the employer's procedures such as staff appraisal and development. Refusal could therefore invoke the disciplinary procedure.

      Resolving concerns

      If you have concerns that the testing is being used unfairly - particularly in making important decisions such as redundancy or promotion - you may be able to take a legal challenge through an employment tribunal.

      If you have concerns about the way tests are being used in your organisation, you should try to discuss these with your manager, someone from the HR department, or the external consultant.

      Whenever you're asked to complete a test or questionnaire, you should receive a clear explanation of what the test is, why it is being used and what will happen with the results.

      You can search the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU) to see whether the person administering the tests has an appropriate qualification.

      A Chartered Psychologist could provide advice on whether the particular tests and the way they are being used are appropriate. This site provides reviews of many different tests, although these are written for qualified test users and do require some technical knowledge to fully understand.

      It's always good practice in any testing procedure to provide participants with feedback on their results.

      Where these are held on file, you can make a subject access request under the Data Protection Act to see the results if your employer refuses to provide feedback on request.

      Find a chartered psychologist

      Contact us

      If you have any queries, please contact the Customer Support Team. 

       

    • What is the difference between tests used for selection and tests used for development?

      In a selection context, tests are used to help organisations choose between candidates.

      In a development context, tests are used to highlight candidates' strengths and development areas. Maximum performance tests (tests of ability, attainment or aptitude) are more often used in a selection context, while typical performance tests (personality tests) tend to be used equally in selection and development.

      Contact us

      If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].

       

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