Blog

  • Cognition and memory testing

    by Jennifer Puig, PhD, Research Director

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    WAIS®-5 and WMS®-5 Together to Assess Cognition and Memory

    In the poem “The Blind Men and the Elephant,” by John Godfry Saxe, six men set out to learn about an elephant and all six of them have different perceptions based on the different parts of the elephant they experienced and argued their points mightily. “Though each was partly in the right. And all were in the wrong!” Professionals who utilize psychological assessments in their practice are very much in danger of being ‘partially right but in the wrong’ by limiting their testing to a narrow scope of cognitive functioning. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale®, Fifth Edition (WAIS®-5) and the Wechsler Memory Scale®, Fifth Edition (WMS®-5) provide clinicians with a battery of tests that sample a range of cognitive functions and have psychometric properties that allow for the integration of test results across batteries for enhanced interpretations.

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  • Break the Cycle: How Dyslexia Screening Can Reduce Recidivism in Correctional Institutions

    Two individuals are seated at a table in a library, studying a large open book together, with shelves of books and other patrons in the background.

    Dyslexia affects 20% of the general population. However, that rate soars to nearly 50% among supervised individuals in correctional institutions, according to long-standing research.

    As a language-based learning difference, dyslexia impairs reading, writing and processing information challenging for those affected. This difficulty can significantly impede an individual’s rehabilitation progress, whether under supervision or after release. In fact, research shows a strong connection between dyslexia, illiteracy and recidivism. 

    With correctional facilities increasingly focused on preventing recidivism, leaders are recognizing that early identification of dyslexia among supervised individuals is critical.

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  • Personality and mental health assessments can make high-risk workplaces safer and more productive. Here’s how.

    Two workers, male and female, in reflective vests and hard hats discuss over a clipboard in an industrial setting.

    Safety and regulatory compliance practices are critical to keeping employees out of harm’s way and employers on the right side of the law. They’re also foundational to organizational productivity. That’s especially true in high-risk industries, where safety incidents can slow or stop normal operations.

    Employees are more engaged when their workplaces are safe, and engaged employees are more productive. Safety, compliance, and productivity form a virtuous cycle: Safe employees are engaged and productive, and engaged employees do their part to ensure continued safety and compliance.

    The question for many organizations is: How do you kick-start this cycle?

    One answer is to use personality and mental health assessments to identify the best candidates for the job, as well as to provide continuous support for their mental health and well-being.

    Employees’ personality traits and psychological states directly impact their safety. For example, research shows that neuroticism can negatively influence safety behavior, while conscientiousness positively influences it.

    Employers can use personality and mental health assessments to uncover valuable information that they can use to tailor their team structure, training, and support resources based on their workers’ unique strengths and needs, enhancing both individual well-being and organizational effectiveness.

    The key is understanding what assessments to use and how to use them.

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  • Understanding the flexible administration options of BOT-3

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    Everyone has heard the old expression “time is money”, well, when you're working with a big caseload and you've got a lot of ground to cover, your time is probably your most precious commodity, so you need to spend it wisely. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency™, Third Edition (BOT™-3) provides many avenues for practitioners to do just that, by customizing their evaluations to meet the specific needs of clients and their individual circumstances. 

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  • The 2025 Research Call is open for submissions!

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    We are proud to announce the new Call for Research published by Pearson Clinical Assessment. Our goal is to ensure that Pearson assessments comply with the highest standards of quality and support research that investigates the validity or efficacy of our products. We are inviting United States-based faculty members, graduate students, and qualified researchers to submit their proposals no later than August 15, 2025.

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  • The role of Clinical Outcome Assessments (COAs) in cognition and dementia research and treatment

    An older woman in a gray blouse is seated at a table playing chess.

    Tracking cognitive functioning remains a critical part of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia research. When used properly, COAs offer valuable insights into patients’ conditions, helping researchers track patients’ progress and assess a drug’s efficacy throughout clinical trials.

    However, choosing suboptimal scales can be catastrophic for clinical research. The cognitive scales used in the majority of clinical trials for AD, for example, have been pivotal to the failure of 98% of Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials.

    In this blog, we’ll discuss how COAs can make or break clinical trial outcomes and share how sponsors can select the optimal scales for their AD clinical research programs.

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  • Preparing Teens for College and Career: Tips for Boosting Executive Function

    by Kara Canale M.Ed., NCSP, Clinical Assessment Consultant at Pearson

    A female graduate in a blue cap and gown hugs another woman outdoors, surrounded by lush greenery, expressing joy.

    College attendance is up. While total postsecondary enrollment was down the past few years, it finally rebounded above pre-COVID levels in the Fall of 2024, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Undergraduate enrollment rose 4.7% YoY, while freshman enrollment rose 5.5% YoY, meaning more high school students are contemplating postsecondary education. At the same time, students in this age group are grappling with more mental health issues than ever.

    High school educators have a golden opportunity to help students prepare for the transition, whether they are heading to a community college, attending a four-year school or training for a full-time career.

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  • 3 Key Hiring Tactics for High-Risk Industries

    Talent pools are drying up across high-risk industries like public safety and critical infrastructure sectors (e.g., energy and nuclear). According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, the construction industry will need 439,000 new workers to meet demand in 2025. Staffing at many police and fire departments has reached historic lows

    Available evidence suggests these trends will continue. Younger workers prioritize considerations like work/life balance, low stress, and high flexibility in their jobs — things that high-risk industries aren’t historically known to offer.  

    While high-risk employers cannot change the nature of their work, they can get creative with recruiting and retention tactics. Organizations that act now can gain a long-term advantage over their competitors.  

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