National Counselor Exam (NCE)

What do MMPI-A and CPI represent in testing methodology?

1. Objective tests

2. Subjective tests

3. Projective tests

4. Normative tests

The correct answer is: Objective tests

The MMPI-A (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent) and CPI (California Psychological Inventory) are both examples of objective tests. Objective tests are standardized tools that quantify psychological traits or constructs, allowing for a consistent measure across different individuals. These tests typically use clear, unambiguous items such as true/false questions or Likert-scale items, ensuring that scoring is not influenced by examiner interpretation. In the context of the MMPI-A, it is specifically designed for adolescents, assessing various psychological conditions and personality attributes through items that are empirically derived and based on normative data. The CPI focuses on measuring personality characteristics that pertain to socialization and personal adjustment, also employing an objective format. Both tests yield results that can be compared against established norms, supporting their classification as objective measures in the realm of psychological testing. This objective nature distinguishes them from subjective tests, which rely on personal interpretations or open-ended responses, and from projective tests, which involve ambiguous stimuli to elicit responses influenced by the individual’s unconscious processes. Normative tests represent a broader category that could include both objective and subjective elements, but in this context, MMPI-A and CPI clearly fall under the category of objective testing methodology.