National Psychology Examination

Exam at a glance

Questions

150

Duration

210 minutes

Pass mark

70 %

Sections

150 MCQs with 5 options, 3.5 hours: ethics 30 %, assessment 30 %, intervention 30 %, communication 10 %

Exam type

Written

Language

English

Authority

PsyBA

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 12 modules · 351 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01Cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety and depression28 questions · 8 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 52-year-old man with moderate depression has stopped seeing friends, cycling and attending his community choir since losing his job. He says he will return to these activities when he feels better. Which is the main rationale for using behavioural activation with him?

   AActivity should be delayed until his negative automatic thoughts have been fully restructuredBRest and withdrawal allow mood to recover, so activity is introduced only after remissionCScheduling valued activities increases contact with positive reinforcement, which can lift mood before motivation returnsDPleasant events are used mainly to distract him from depressive thoughts during therapy sessionsEIncreased activity exposes him to feared bodily sensations so that they lose their threat value

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Child, adolescent and family interventions22 questions · 6.3 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A psychologist in a community child health service sees the mother of a 5-year-old boy who is defiant and has frequent tantrums at home. Which strategy is a core component of an evidence-based parent management program for this problem?

   AUsing a long period of time-out each time he shouts or refusesBExplaining the consequences to him at length before each likely tantrumCGiving specific praise for desired behaviour and ignoring minor misbehaviourDWithdrawing all privileges for a week after each major tantrumESeeing the child alone while the parents wait outside the room

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Cognitive and neuropsychological assessment22 questions · 6.3 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A psychologist administers a standardised intelligence test with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. The client obtains a Full Scale IQ of 85. Which description of this result is most accurate?

   AAbout 2 standard deviations below the mean, around the 2nd percentileBAbout half a standard deviation below the mean, around the 31st percentileCAbout 1 standard deviation below the mean, around the 16th percentileDAbout 1 standard deviation above the mean, around the 84th percentileEBelow the 5th percentile, in the extremely low range

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Communication, therapeutic alliance and reporting28 questions · 8 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A client with social anxiety tells her psychologist, "I agree that avoiding people is a problem, but I don't see how filling in worksheets will help." In terms of Bordin's model of the working alliance, which component is most directly strained?

   AAgreement on the goals of therapyBThe emotional bond between client and therapistCAgreement on the tasks of therapyDTherapist congruence and genuinenessETreatment fidelity to the manual

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Consent, capacity, confidentiality and privacy28 questions · 8 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 34-year-old woman attends her first appointment with a psychologist in private practice for assessment of persistent worry. Which step should the psychologist complete before beginning the assessment?

   AAsk the woman's general practitioner to sign a consent form on her behalfBBegin the assessment and discuss confidentiality at the final sessionCObtain informed consent that covers the service, fees and limits to confidentialityDAsk her to sign a blanket release for any health professional involved in her careETreat the booking of the appointment as sufficient consent to proceed

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Developmental, cultural and lifespan assessment22 questions · 6.3 % of the bank
7. 07Clinical interview, diagnosis and risk assessment26 questions · 7.4 % of the bank
8. 08Code of ethics and professional conduct29 questions · 8.3 % of the bank
9. 09Psychometrics and test theory71 questions · 20.2 % of the bank
10. 10Regulation, registration, notifications and supervision28 questions · 8 % of the bank
11. 11Other therapeutic approaches and treatment planning22 questions · 6.3 % of the bank
12. 12Trauma, psychosis and personality disorders25 questions · 7.1 % of the bank

What you get

• Question bank with a detailed explanation for every answer
• Timed mock exams in the real exam format, with score report by topic
• Personal study plan up to your exam date and review of weak topics
• AI tutor that explains any question in plain words
• One account for the app (iPhone, iPad) and the browser

From registration to licence

The usual steps with PsyBA. Details can change; check the current rules with PsyBA before you register.

1. Check eligibility and collect your documents (degree, experience, good standing).
2. Create an account with PsyBA and submit the application.
3. Receive the exam eligibility and book a date with the test centre.
4. Sit the exam. Results usually come within days.
5. After passing: complete licensing (for example primary source verification) and receive your licence.

Frequently asked questions