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National Psychology Exam (NPE)
Australia Exam Latest Version 2025-
2026| Questions and Answers | Verified
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What ethical codes must be upheld as a psychologist? Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Psychology Board of Australia Standards and Policies Home state/ territory legislation What matters does the Psychology Board of Australia handle? Registration/ special titles, developing standards, codes, and guidelines, handles notifications/ complaints and disciplinary action. What are the Psychology Board of Australia's Standards of practice? Continuing Professional Development Criminal History Sufficiently Clean English Language Skills Registration Pathways (provisional/general) Professional Indemnity Insurance Recency of Practice Specialist endorsements What are the CPD requirements of a registered Psychologist? 30 hours per year including 10 hours Peer consultation Maintain a CPD portfolio of previous 5 years Have a self developed learning plan What should be included in a psychologists CPD learning plan? Identified learning needs Activities to meet learning needs Anticipated outcomes Achieved outcomes What factors will be considered in a Criminal history check of those applying for registration in Australia/
Gravity of offences and likelihood of future threat to patients What is the minimum level of cover required by the board for Professional Indemnity Insurance? $2 million per claim When must a psychologist have Insurance? When registered regardless of whether work is volunteer based or paid. Retroactive cover when no longer working. What do the Recency of Practice standards dictate? In the past 5 years you must have: Practiced at least 250 hours as a psychologist. Or Completed a Board approved program of study Or Completed a Board approved internship. What is dictated regarding the use of Social Media for Psychologists? Ensure protection of confidentiality. Do not post unsubstantiated claims (Advertising) Testimonies may not be used. What governing body is able to include or remove practice locations of psychologists from the national register? Psychology Board of Australia How many years must lapse before an individual with 4th year qualifications is required to undertake refresher training before being granted provisional registration? 10 When might a psychologist be required to make a mandatory report regarding a fellow practitioner? Practicing while intoxicated Inappropriate sexual conduct Placing the public at risk What are the limitations on advertising of services for psychologists? No false or misleading claims. No use of testimonials. No encouragement of unnecessary use of services. Is the APS Code of Ethics considered necessary to follow under National Standards? Yes. It has been adopted as the Psychology Board of Australia's official code of ethics. What are the three main principles of the APS Code of Ethics?
- Consider if the test has been tested and normed for indigenous populations.
- Consider the impact of cultural beliefs and experiences on test results.
- Be respectful of traditional customs and communication styles
- Consult with more experienced psychologists and indigenous community members about issues.
- Ensure the test results are not used outside of their intended purpose. What considerations are necessary for Research with indigenous individuals under the APS guidelines?
- Communication between researchers and Indigenous community, families, and participants.
- Follow NHMRC guidelines for Aboriginal/TSI research.
- Research is conducted and interpreted in collaboration with interested indigenous parties.
- Report and give credit to all contributors (indigenous). What do the APS guidelines for Provision of psychological services in the area of mental health for indigenous populations dictate?
- Accredited psychology courses require teaching on indigenous matters.
- Educators respect the life experiences and knowledge of Indigenous academics and community elders.
- Professional development in this area includes development of cultural competence.
- Use of cultural safety frameworks which indicate that health is imbedded in cultural, social, historical and political contexts. What are the APS guidelines regarding the use of Therapeutic Averse Procedures? (And what are they?) E.g. behaviour therapy including punishments. These should only be used after a thorough assessment that the benefits outweigh the risks, and with client or guardian consent. What are the APS guidelines regarding confidentiality?
- Confidentiality protects the rights and dignity of clients and maintains a good name for the profession.
- There may be legal, organisational, or ethical matters which prevent a psychologist from upholding confidentiality.
- Limitations of confidentiality should be explained to clients.
- In the event that informed consent is not possible it should be sought through a guardian instead. What are the APS guidelines regarding disaster relief?
- Psychologists clarify with clients and agencies the nature of their role.
- Psychologists provide contextually and culturally appropriate psychological services and seek adequate supervision and support.
- Psychologists liaise with local organisations so that support may be implemented by local staff.
- Psychologists make suitable referrals for clients' ongoing needs. What do the APS ethical guidelines surrounding finances dictate?
- Psychologists are clear with their clients about fees.
- The interests of the client are first priority for the psychologist over financial or organisational gain.
- Psychologists do not accept a commission for referring a client.
- Psychologists do not exploit clients or other professionals with whom they work. What are the relevant roles a psychologist might have in a forensic context?
- Treatment providers in correctional settings.
- Evaluators: e.g. assess individual/family functioning.
- Advisors: Inform lawyers of psychological knowledge.
- Mediators; Impartial third party to resolve disputes.
- Consultants: explain practical implications of research, assessment, and opinions of psycho-legal experts.
- Case managers: assist court following legal outcomes.
- Researchers: psychologists collect and disseminate data that are relevant to various legal issues. What do the APS ethics guidelines suggest around working with forensic clients?
- Clearly inform clients about your roles and responsibilities.
- Inform clients about limits to confidentiality (Subpoenas and people who might access court reports).
- Maintain confidentiality and privacy as much as possible.
- Document and address issues around boundaries and multiple relationships where relevant.
- Be aware of and follow all court mandated rulings. What do the APS ethical guidelines suggest around working with clients who pose risk to others?
- Conduct thorough risk assessments (ongoing).
- Seek support from experienced colleagues.
- When deciding whether to disclose, psychologists consider both the impact on the client and others.
- psychologists maintain clear professional boundaries and attend to their own safety.
- Psychologists involve other professionals and stakeholders in the management of high risk individuals (self report). What factors should be considered when making a report of risk of harm?
- Quality of information including reliability and source.
- The probability of the harmful behaviour occurring, and its potential extent and consequences.
- Whether the identity of the potential victim is known.
- The age and vulnerability of potential victims.
- To whom the information should be disclosed.
- The capacity to manage the risk within therapy. What do the APS ethics guidelines suggest in relation to the practice of hypnotherapy?
- Psychologists ensure that their use of hypnosis does not compromise the dignity and wellbeing of the client.
- Inform clients about the nature and purpose of the procedures including limitations and risks, and personal qualifications and experience with hypnosis.
- Understand that the client can withdraw consent for the procedure at any time.
impulsivity)
- Understand the barriers that males frequently face regarding help-seeking. What do the APS ethical guidelines suggest in relation to working with multiple clients? (e.g. groups/ families/ organisations)
- Clarify roles, rights and responsibilities of all relevant parties, before commencing to deliver the service.
- Obtain informed consent from all parties and explain the limits to confidentiality. (given context)
- Psychologists treat all of their clients with respect,
- Outline financial arrangements prior to commencing. What are some issues surrounding multiple relationships with clients? Consider the following:
- Presence of personal motive in therapeutic relationship
- Whether the multiple relationship can be avoided
- The potential for the multiple relationship to cause harm/ benefit to the client
- The inherent power differential in a professional relationship.
- Whether there is a risk that the multiple relationship could disrupt the effectiveness of service.
- How objective the psychologist can be. What do the APS ethical guidelines indicate around working with older adults?
- Understand the ageing process
- Be aware of own attitudes and values towards elderly. --do not assume presenting problems are attributable to old age.
- Be aware of the potential cognitive, sensory and physical deficits faced by older adult clients. What do the APS ethical guidelines indicate around client/ therapist physical contact?
- Obtain written informed consent (Document) when procedures or assessments require physical contact.
- Respect clients' social and cultural conventions. What does the APS ethical guidelines suggest about provision of pro-bono services?
- Services should not be of lesser quality, and should only be taken on if there is capacity/ competence.
- Maintain professional boundaries.
- Ensure options are provided once the pro bono service finishes.
- Outline early, expectations around frequency and duration of services.
- Reestablish expectations if switching to or from pro-bono services. List the important steps in any psychological testing process:
- Consider previous assessment data exist (Current/ too old)
- clarify the purpose of the assessment;
- choose an appropriate psychometrically sound measure.
- Authenticate the identity of the client being assessed.
- Monitor the client's motivation and level/ compliance throughout the assessment;
- Accurately score test data and interpret the results.
- consider the assessment data in the context of all available and relevant information;
- Draw conclusions from the assessment based on a range of sources.
- Effectively communicate the results oral/ written to the individual client, and any other relevant parties.
- Outlining any limitations of the assessment measures, methods and process.
- Make sound recommendations based on all results. What do the APS ethical standards indicate about the use of psychological tests?
- Assessment is a core competency for psychologists.
- Assessments are used for a wide range of purposes
- Obtain informed consent; outline the limits of confidentiality; and manage client relationships respectfully.
- Psychologists must be qualified and competent in the selection, administration, interpretation, integration and reporting of the results of tests they use.
- Be aware of the risks associated with unsupervised /blind testing.
- Be aware that clients' test performance can be adversely affected by language, cultural background and physical or mental conditions.
- Consider assessment data in the context of other relevant information and circumstances of test.
- Maintain security of psychological assessment materials to appropriately qualified individuals.
- Responsible for psychological tests used by students.
- Only use up-to-date assessments and tests. What do APS ethics guidelines dictate about record keeping?
- Make and keep records that accurately document their services, administration/ practice operations.
- Understand that client records may contain sensitive and private client information.
- Records include notes which reflect their professional practice, are created at time of contact, and give reasons for any interventions/ decisions made. - Notes reflect client respect and dignity, and meet psychologists' responsibilities for maintaining client confidentiality.
- Record management systems should incorporate all paper files and electronic records.
- Client records are readily accessible and stored in safe and secure conditions.
- Records are accessible for at least as long as required by law. (7 years from 18 yo, or as dictated by court). What do the APS ethical guidelines suggest in relation to reporting, abuse/ neglect, and criminal activity?
- Balance a client's right to confidentiality with the responsibility to reduce risk of harm to client or others.
- Understand the different thresholds for disclosing information depending on whether their work falls under the jurisdiction of the Privacy Act (1988).
- If psychologists work with children, they obtain the relevant state or territory Working with Children
- Be aware that clients are vulnerable to exploitation due to the therapeutic, teaching, consulting or supervisory relationship.
- No sexual relationship should be undertaken between psychologist and client (or client relation) for 2 years from the cessation of therapeutic relationship. What do the APS ethical guidelines indicate around relating to clients at risk of suicide?
- Attain relevant competence for managing cases.
- Accept responsibility for the decisions they make.
- Disclose confidential information in order to reduce the risk of harm to the client and others.
- Weigh up respecting the client's autonomy and confidentiality against risk of harm to the client.
- Consider consultation with a mentor.
- Consider community impact following a suicide. What do the APS ethical guidelines indicate around supervision?
- Supervisors and supervisees act in a manner to ensure that no harm is done to clients.
- Supervisors do not exploit supervisees.
- Psychologists give careful consideration to due process, informed consent, management of multiple relationships, and confidentiality and privacy. What do the APS ethical guidelines indicate around working with women and girls?
- Understand the impact of gender on health and the both biological and social. Foster females right to develop as an autonomous and psychologically healthy person.
- Acknowledge the power differentials between client and psychologist, and gender's interaction with this.
- Be clear about own values towards female clients.
- Aware of sexual harassment, psychological, sexual and physical abuse, issues for females and, always attribute responsibility to the perpetrator.
- Maintain and communicate an understanding of appropriate professional and personal boundaries. What do the APS guidelines indicate in regard to working with the media?
- Understand the distinct demands of the media, and adapt their practice accordingly.
- Accept limited capacity to influence the final versions of media release but seek the opportunity to make amendments where possible.
- Psychologists involved in the screening process for reality TV shows check that participants comprehend consent, and inform participants they may be seen in an unfavourable light.
- When in on-camera roles on reality TV shows psychologists establish that the participants comprehend consent, and ensure that any comments they make about the participants are respectful.
- Psychologists are aware that participants in a program may be adversely affected by experiences in the media.
- Psychologists recommend media organisations provide immediate and ongoing support to participants.
- Uphold the standing of the profession and discipline of psychology, in all media engagement. What do the APS ethical guidelines indicate in regard to working with young people?
- Wellbeing of the young person is paramount.
- Consider the legislation applicable to children.
- Know the policies of your organisation.
- Determine the youth's capacity to provide informed consent, and limits to confidentiality.
- Clarify the level of involvement of each parent.
- Enquire about Family Court orders that may apply. - Establishing what information a parent may have a legal right to access in relation to the young person.
- Psychologists review their practice procedures for working with young people to maintain competence. Following a client suicide, what legal and ethical obligations does a psychologist have?
- Maintaining the clients confidentiality.
- Supporting investigations by coroner/ police when legally compelled to do so. Which may include:
- ensuring that file notes are in order
- preparing a statement including: treatment plan, risk assessments, timeline of your work, last contact w client.
- Supporting community affected by suicide with information, referrals and resources.
- Managing personal repercussions and impact on work. What do the APS ethical guidelines indicate regarding contract work as psychologists?
- Matters of referrals cannot be controlled by practices, but are the matter of referrer's and clients.
- Practices must not mandate that client's be retained past necessary treatment. (e.g. must remain 10 sessions)
- Contracts must not contradict National/State laws or regulations of other governing bodies (e.g. APS ethics)
- It is recommended that psychologists see 5-6 clients per day maximum (KPI's should not be set above this) When providing secondary opinions as a psychologist what are some important things to consider?
- Avoid comparing qualifications and training etc with original opinion professional.
- Avoid claiming or implying superiority over the professionals who provided the original opinion.
- Avoid commenting on the competence of other professionals.
- Avoid engaging in criticism of other professionals.
- Ensure competence to deliver the services.
- Ensure services benefit, not harm.
- Protect the interests of those with whom they work.
- Ensure welfare of clients and public, and psychological profession, take precedence over own self- interest.
- Resolve or report any previous unprofessional conduct by original professional. What are the core steps in an ethical decision making model?
- Recognise that an ethical dilemma is at hand.
- Consider and evaluate the issue in depth.
- Consider the available courses of action and their consequences.
No What is the approximate prevalence of ADHD in children and adults? 5% : 2.5% What are some biological characteristics of ADHD? Increased slow wave electroencephalograms, and reduced brain volume. What are the comorbidity rates of ODD with ADHD? Approx 50% for combined, inattentive/ hyperactive Approx 25% for inattentive alone. What single diagnosis replaced: Reading disorder, Mathematics Disorder, Written Expression Disorder, and Learning Disorder NOS from the DSM IV? Specific Learning Disorder How many standard deviation differences between IQ and school performance are necessary to diagnose Specific Learning Disorder? IQ discrepancy is not a key feature, however Intellectual disability should be ruled out. What are the prevalence ratio's for Specific Learning disorder between boys and girls? 2:1 or 3: Specific Learning Disorders have found to cluster around what 3 skills? Severe reading disorders Fine motor problems and handwriting problems Problems with arithmetic, reading, and gross motor planning. What is Developmental coordination disorder? Persistent challenges learning complex motor skills. Generally identifiable early and will persist to adolescence. (Strong correlation with Alcohol consumption during pregnancy) What is Stereotypic Movement Disorder? Children who appear to be driven by a motor, continuous motor movement that appears uncontrolled and cannot be stopped by focussing on it or distracting from it. (This behaviour is v normal for infants) Problem only if still happening after approx 3 years old. What are the diagnoses for the presence of vocal and movement tics that occur frequently when the duration is less than and more than 1 year? Less than 1 year = provisional tic disorder More than 1 year = Tourette's syndrome What is the diagnosis given for the presence of tics only in the vocal or movement area?
Chronic/ acute (less than/ more than 1 year) Movement or Vocal Tic Disorder. (Specify if Vocal or Movement) What are the characteristics of Speech Sound Disorder? Difficulty creating phonologically age appropriate speech sounds, can develop at any age. (basically pronunciation issues) What is the hierarchy of Tic disorder severities?
- Tourette's disorder,
- persistent (chronic) motor or vocal tic disorder,
- provisional tic disorder,
- unspecified tic disorder. Once someone is diagnosed with a tic disorder at one level of the hierarchy, a diagnosis that is lower in the hierarchy cannot be made. What is the typical course of Tic development and remission by age? he initial onset of tics generally occurs during the prepubertal stage (ages 4-6 years). Tics then reach peak severity around ages 10-12 years, followed by a decline during adolescence. What disorders are associated with Tic disorders? Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Other movement disorders. Depressive disorders. By what age should most children have acquired adequate speech and language ability to understand and follow social rules of verbal and nonverbal communication, follow rules for conversation and storytelling, and change language according to the needs of the listener or situation? 4 - 5 years What is Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder? A condition characterised by challenges adapting communication style to specific context. Strongly associated with parents with ASD or Specific Learning Disorder. How common is Schizoaffective disorder relative to Schizophrenia? And is it more common in men or women? One third. Women. What key feature separates Schizoaffective disorder from mood disorder with psychotic features? Delusions /hallucinations must be present for a period of at least 2 weeks in the absence of mood disturbance.
bipolar 2 will experience a major depressive episode. Bipolar II is more chronic. What are the incidence rates of postpartum hypomania? and What does it commonly lead to? 10 - 20% of women who have given birth. Leads to postpartum depression in 50% of cases. What DSM-5 diagnostic provision is made for depressive symptoms following the death of a loved one? Depressive symptoms following the loss of a loved one are not excluded from receiving a major depressive episode diagnosis if the symptoms otherwise fulfill the diagnostic criteria. What does a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder with Mixed Features indicate? The presence of at lease 3 symptoms of a manic episode in conjunction with full criteria of MDD. What are the key features of a depressive episode with Melancholic Features? Loss of pleasure in normally enjoyable activities, Inappropriate guilt, depression that is worse in the morning, and early- morning awakening. What are the relative suicide risks for men and women? The risk of suicide attempts is higher for women, but the risk of suicide completions is higher for men. What is the difference between Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder in children? The core feature of DMDD is chronic, severe, persistent irritability. Bipolar involves episodic mood disturbances. Children with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) often meet criteria for what additional DSM-5 diagnosis? Oppositional Defiant Disorder. What is dysmenorrhea? Painful menstruation What is the key feature of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? Marked Affective Lability What is the difference between Panic Attack and Panic Disorder? Panic attack is not a mental disorder and cannot be coded. Panic attacks can occur in the context of any anxiety disorder as well as other mental disorders and some medical conditions. For panic disorder, the presence of panic attack is contained within the criteria for the disorder, and panic attack is not used as a specifier. What is the key feature of anxiety disorder due to another medical condition?
The essential feature of anxiety disorder due to another medical condition is clinically significant anxiety that is judged to be best explained as a physiological effect of another medical condition. To fulfill diagnostic criteria for excoriation (skin-picking) disorder, the picking must be severe enough to result in what? Skin Lesions In excoriation (skin-picking) disorder, what is the most typical motivation for the skin-picking behaviour? Boredom Would the diagnosis of a life threatening illness be considered a "trauma" sufficient to fulfil criteria A of PTSD or Acute Stress Disorder? No, but if relevant symptoms are present then a diagnosis of adjustment disorder may be appropriate. What are the five categories of symptoms in Criterion B of Acute Stress Disorder? And how many symptoms are necessary for diagnosis? intrusion, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, and arousal. (9 symptoms) Are males or females more at risk of PTSD Females, partially due to overrepresentation of experiencing trauma. What is an important restriction in the diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder? The clinician or a reliable family member must witness the disruption of identity. What are the three core symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder?
- gaps in remote memory of personal life events
- lapses in dependable memory (e.g., of what happened today, of well-learned skills
- discovery of evidence of their everyday actions and tasks that they do not recollect doing What are the diagnostic criteria for Somatic Symptom Disorder? One or more somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in disruption of daily life. Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviours related Persistence of the symptomatic state for 6 months. What are the common ways that Criterion B of Somatic Symptom Disorder present?
- disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one's symptoms;
- persistently high level of anxiety about health or symptoms;
- excessive time and energy devoted to these Somatic Symptom What are the essential features of Conversion Disorder? (functional neurological symptom disorder)
What is Enuresis, Diurnal Enuresis, and Nocturnal Enuresis? Inability to maintain bladder control post expected age range of incontinence (Mental age 5 years or older). Diurnal Enuresis is a subtype which involves minor leaks (often due to preference to continue play) Nocturnal Enuresis is bed wetting post expected age. What is Encopresis? Individual leaks stool and should have bowel control based on age (Mental age 4 years or older) What are primary and secondary Enuresis? Primary Enuresis is when the child has not had a period of gaining bladder control. Secondary Enuresis is when a child regresses from developing bladder control. What is the major contributing factor to Enuresis? Neglect of toilet training, as seen in orphanages. What are the core features of Insomnia? Dissatisfaction regarding the quality, timing, or amount of sleep. Difficulty with sleep initiation or sleep maintenance, or early-morning awakening with inability to return to sleep. Resulting distress and impairment are core features. What is Hypersomnolence? Hypersomnolence is a condition where a person experiences significant episodes of sleepiness, even after having 7 hours or more of quality sleep. What is Sleep inertia? "Sleep inertia" refers to the transitional state between sleep and wake, marked by impaired performance, reduced vigilance, and a desire to return to sleep. The intensity and duration of sleep inertia vary based on situational factors, but its effects may last minutes to several hours What are the core diagnostic criteria for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea? Either (1) or (2):
- Evidence by polysomnography of at least five obstructive apneas or hypopneas per hour of sleep and Nocturnal breathing disturbances: OR Daytime sleepiness/ fatigue
- Evidence by polysomnography of 15 or more obstructive apneas and/ or hypopneas per hour of sleep regardless of accompanying symptoms. What do Apnea and Hypopnea mean?
Apnea: pause in breathing for 10 or more seconds during sleep Hypopnea: reduced rate of breathing resulting in low blood oxygen levels. What is Narcolepsy? Excessive day time tiredness, And one of the following:
- cataplexy, 2) hypocretin deficiency, or
- characteristic abnormalities on nocturnal polysomnography or multiple sleep latency testing. What is catoplexy? The definition of cataplexy differs according to patient characteristics. In individuals with long-standing narcolepsy, cataplexy is defined as brief (seconds to minutes) episodes of sudden bilateral loss of muscle tone with maintained consciousness that are precipitated by laughter or joking. In children or in individuals within 6 months of onset, cataplexy takes the form of spontaneous grimaces or jaw-opening episodes with tongue thrusting or a decreased muscle tone. What are the subtypes of sleep apnea? Central (loss of drive for breathing) Obstruction (Physiological interruption to breathing) What is Hypercapnia and what might instigate it? Abnormally elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood. Often caused by hypoventilation (Apneas/ Hypopneas) What are the subtypes of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Wake Disorder? Delayed sleep phase type, shift work type, advanced sleep phase type, irregular sleep-wake type, non 24 hour sleep wake type, and unspecified type. What are the key features of nightmare disorder? Repeated nightmares, extended, dysphoric, and well-remembered, occurring mostly in the second half of the major sleep episode and often involve threats to one's survival. On awakening, the affected individual returns quickly to normal consciousness but the dreams cause persistent distress and/or impairment in function. What are the core features of sleep terrors? Sleep terrors are associated with a sense of terror and distress, but with incomplete awakening and poor recall, and they tend to occur early in the major sleep period, when non-REM sleep predominates. What are the two Non REM sleep arousal disorders? Sleep walking and night terrors. Which psychotropic drugs may result in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep without atonia and REM sleep behaviour disorder?
