What is Psychological Testing? A Comprehensive Guide from Screening to Results
When you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain, psychological testing can offer a powerful starting point. Perhaps you’ve struggled with attention or concentration for a long time, perhaps this was recommended to you by a doctor, or perhaps you’ve scored highly on publicly available mental health screeners. While a screener is a very useful tool for noticing and flagging symptoms, they are not comprehensive. Further action by a trained clinician is necessary to help us understand the root of these symptoms.
Rather than relying on a single test, clinicians use a combination of interviews, behavior rating scales, and cognitive assessments to understand each individual’s unique psychological profile. Psychological testing (also known as psychological assessments or psychological evaluations) helps determine whether symptoms align with a disorder—such as ADHD—and rules out other possible causes, such as anxiety, learning differences, or sleep issues.
These assessments help uncover how someone thinks, learns, feels, and responds to challenges. Whether a person is struggling with focus, feeling weighed down by emotions, or wondering why learning feels harder than expected, testing can shine a light on what’s really going on beneath the surface.
At Manas Cor Psychological Services, we look at areas like:
Intelligence and reasoning
Learning and memory
Language and communication
Academic achievement
Problem-solving and processing speed
Attention and executive functioning
Mood, personality, and emotional regulation
This process isn’t cold or sterile—it’s thoughtful and personal. And most importantly, it gives people answers they can use. From here, families, educators, and individuals themselves can make informed decisions about support, therapy, or next steps in life.
Reasons for an Evaluation
Whether it’s for diagnosing specific conditions, determining eligibility for educational accommodations, or gaining insights into one’s strengths and challenges, these services offer support to individuals of all ages. Here’s a closer look at some of the reasons evaluations may be requested:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD can significantly impact academic and/or work performance and social interactions. If you question whether you or your child may meet criteria for ADHD, it is recommended that you receive a psychological evaluation to help identify the potential symptoms of ADHD, differentiate it from other conditions, and guide the development of effective treatment strategies.
Learning Disabilities and Other Academic or Classroom Concerns. Identifying and addressing learning disabilities is essential for ensuring that students receive the support they need to thrive academically. Psychological assessments can help pinpoint specific areas of difficulty, such as reading, writing, or math, allowing educators to tailor interventions and accommodations accordingly.
Academic Accommodations. Preparing for the transition to high school or college requires careful planning and preparation. A psychological evaluation may be useful in assessing academic readiness, executive functioning skills, and emotional resilience, with the goal of empowering students to successfully navigate the challenges of higher education.
School Admissions Testing. If you are considering enrolling your child in an independent school in the Washington, D.C., metro area, they may be required to complete admissions testing. Some public school advanced programs also require testing as part of their application process. School admissions testing can provide insights into a student’s cognitive abilities, academic potential, and readiness for advanced coursework, helping to inform admissions decisions.
IEP Eligibility. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Psychological assessments play a crucial role in determining eligibility for special education services and developing appropriate IEP goals and accommodations.
Social and Emotional Functioning. Individuals may seek psychological evaluations to gain insight into their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to identify areas for personal growth and development. This can be particularly helpful in guiding the implementation of social-emotional strategies and therapy interventions.
General Diagnostic Clarification. In cases where individuals present with complex symptoms or overlapping concerns, psychological assessments can provide diagnostic clarity to aid clinicians in formulating accurate diagnoses and developing tailored treatment plans.
International Pre-Adoption Evaluations. If you are pursuing international adoption, you may be seeking a psychological evaluation that meets formal requirements. While also respecting the significance of this life transition. International pre-adoption evaluations are designed to assess emotional readiness, parenting values, and cross-cultural sensitivity. They are often required by adoption agencies or foreign governments. These evaluations are not intended to be judgmental, but rather serve as a collaborative and constructive step in preparing to welcome a child into your life. They offer an opportunity to deepen your self-awareness and ensure you are well-equipped to provide a stable, nurturing environment across cultural boundaries.
The Role of Professionals in Psychological Assessment
Psychological assessments are typically conducted by licensed psychologists or other qualified professionals with specialized training in assessment and evaluation. These professionals use a variety of standardized tests, interviews, observations, and behavioral assessments to gather information and formulate recommendations. Your treatment team at Manas Cor Psychological Services is made up of a small group of the following professionals.
Doctoral-level psychologists. Clinical psychologists at the doctoral level undergo rigorous, multi-year training that integrates scientific knowledge with hands-on clinical experience from a Ph.D. or Psy.D. program. Their education typically begins with foundational coursework in psychological theory, research methods, psychopathology, and ethics. Our testing psychologists have gone through rigorous training from valued institutions, including Ph.D. programs at the University of Virginia and the George Washington University. They have trained in hospitals, inpatient and outpatient facilities, and neuropsychology settings, and have supervised doctoral students in assessment.
Psychometrist. Our psychometrist is a trained professional who administers psychological tests to help assess areas like attention, memory, learning, and emotional functioning. Working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, they guide clients through standardized assessments in a supportive and structured environment. While they don’t diagnose or interpret results independently, psychometrists play a key role in ensuring evaluations are conducted accurately and respectfully.
How do I get started?
Now that you have a better idea of what you are looking for, it is important to find the right fit for your needs, schedule, and finances. Looking for services that best support your needs can be daunting. Here are some helpful tips for finding the right practice for you:
Specialized Experience. Seek out practices with licensed psychologists who have doctoral-level training (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and experience in psychological assessment. Look for specialties like neuropsychological, psychoeducational, or diagnostic clarification evaluations, depending on your needs.
Scheduling availability and testing process fit. A quality practice will walk you through what to expect, from intake and test administration to feedback and written reports. Ask how long the process takes, what types of tools they use, and whether testing is conducted in person, virtually, or both.
You may be on a certain timetable. It’s important to ask if a practice is able to make that timetable work, if they have options for expedited testing, and if they currently have a waitlist.
Financial Costs. Testing can be a significant investment. Ask about pricing, what’s included, and whether they provide superbills for insurance reimbursement. Transparency around fees is a sign of a trustworthy practice.
Location. Consider the radius in which you are able to travel—whether you need to stay local in your town/city or if you’re able to travel to a neighboring town/city. It’s hard to find time in busy schedules, so don’t hesitate to ask questions to check if the practice is able to accommodate your needs for parking, public transportation, or being ADA accessible.
What does the testing process look like?
The amount of time an evaluation takes varies based on your presenting concern and the type of testing you require. At Manas Cor Psych, our approach to neuropsychological/ADHD testing and psychoeducational testing often follows this structure:
Screening. You will complete a 15-20 minute screening with one of our psychologists. During this phone call, you would discuss the needs for testing, scheduling, the estimated timeline, rates, and general details about the practice.
Practice Paperwork. Following your screening and initial scheduling, you will receive a welcome and confirmation email. This will be accompanied by our client portal invitation, where you will find our practice’s paperwork for informed consent, privacy policies, and an intake questionnaire. These should be filled out prior to your first session. This is also a good time to check for out-of-network benefits or reimbursement rates with your insurance company.
Clinical Intake History Session(s). This initial meeting is between 1-2 hours and takes place in-person, although some exceptions can be made for virtual visits if scheduling is difficult. When working with families, these intake sessions are divided between parents/guardians and individual time with your child.
Testing Days. Testing can be completed over the course of 1-2 days. Some practices choose to complete testing in one full day of 6-7 hours. Or, two separate days with 3-3.5 hour blocks. At Manas Cor Psych, our preference is to schedule two half-days. Doing so is often easier on your scheduling and better for overall energy, tailoring assessments in between sessions. As well as giving us different time points for observation.
Collateral information is collected from your current or past treatment team (e.g., psychiatrist, therapist) and/or any relevant school records, teachers, or school observations.
Feedback Session. We conduct a feedback session that is one to one and a half hours long to review the results of the assessments thoroughly and explain our recommendations.
Final Written Report. You’ll receive a comprehensive report summarizing the findings. This document can be shared with schools, healthcare providers, or other professionals to support your goals. That could include academic planning, workplace accommodations, or therapeutic support.
I’m scheduled for testing – how do I prepare?
Now that you’re scheduled, you or your family member may be feeling nervous or unsure of how to personally prepare for the evaluation. Remember that your testing psychologist should walk you through what to expect when scheduling. However, here are some helpful tips for feeling prepared.
Prepare any documents or notes. Gather any records that you wish to share or have been asked to bring in. You can also prepare your own notes or questions that you want to ask your testing team.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep. Feeling rested helps your focus and attention during testing.
Eat Before Your Appointment. Bring a snack or water if allowed—being nourished helps your brain work best.
Bring Essentials. Glasses, hearing aids, medications (especially if regularly taken).
If you take any stimulants or certain other medications (i.e., for ADHD), you may be asked not to take those medications on the day of testing. It is important to check in with both your testing team and your medical provider(s) to determine the correct approach given your situation and testing needs.
Minimize Distractions. Try to clear your schedule after testing so you’re not rushing. Let loved ones know you’ll be unavailable during your appointment, and keep electronic devices off or on Do Not Disturb.
Be Yourself. There's no “perfect” score—just bring your authentic self. Honesty helps us give you the most helpful insights and recommendations.
Ask Questions. If anything feels unclear or unfamiliar, feel free to ask. This is a collaborative space.
Clarity begins with understanding. Let us help you get there.
At Manas Cor Psychological Services, we understand how overwhelming it can feel when you’re seeking answers for yourself or a loved one. Whether you’re noticing persistent difficulties with focus, emotions, memory, or learning, or simply have the sense that something isn’t quite right, it can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer comprehensive testing and assessment services for children, adolescents, and adults in our Washington, DC, office. Follow the steps below to get started:
Explore our blog posts for more insights into testing and therapy.
To learn more about our psychological testing and assessment services, click here.
Other Services we offer in Washington, DC
In addition to psychological testing and assessment, we also provide individual therapy for adolescents and adults. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, or the lingering effects of past experiences, therapy can offer a supportive space to process, reflect, and grow. Whether you’re beginning therapy for the first time or returning to this work after a break, we’re here to meet you where you are.
