In general, people tend to get nervous at the mention of “psychological” anything, but there’s really no point in getting wound up about this portion of the application process.
Actually, this might be one of the easiest parts of the whole process—you can’t study for this test and you can’t outguess it, so there is really nothing to do to prepare. Here is some information about what the psychological test entails.
Almost
all departments give applicants a standardized multiple-choice test—either one they
have designed themselves or one that is commonly used in psychological
settings.
The most common test is the Minnesota Multiphasic Psychological Inventory (MMPI). Updated versions of the test include the MMPI-2 and the MMPI-2RF. These tests are comprised of over 500 true-false statements, which you read and respond to. Just to give you some idea of what it’s like, the statements range from things like “I prefer romance novels to mysteries,” to “My father is a good man,” to “I am an important person.” You mark your answers, depending on whether the statement never applies to you, sometimes applies to you, often applies to you, or always applies to you. And that’s it. Another commonly used self-reporting instrument is the California Psychological Inventory. This instrument is comprised of over 400 similar questions.
Other tests may ask you to complete sentences or to react to specific phrases, such as “When I’m at home” or “My mother’s favorite.” Don’t obsess over your answers. Answer honestly, but think about what you are writing. “My mother’s favorite color is purple” will probably send a better message than “My mother’s favorite was always my worthless brother.” However, do not waste a lot of time trying to come up with the “right” or the “best” answers. You are better off just answering honestly. The MMPI and all psychological tests are specifically designed to pick up inconsistencies that indicate someone is manipulating the answers. You don’t gain anything by being dishonest in your responses.
In some departments, you will have an interview with a psychologist, usually sometime after you complete the written test. The psychologist will probably ask you some follow-up questions about the results of your written test, and he or she may also ask other questions to find out a little more about what kind of person you are.
Don’t worry too much about this. Anything you say is private, and you are not going to leave the testing room in a straitjacket. You may be asked questions no one’s ever asked you before—things like “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?” or “Do you have a happy marriage?” Don’t say, “None of your business”—although that will probably be your first impulse.