Frequently Asked Questions

  1.  Why are psychometric assessments so expensive?

    • The assessments/test materials we use are costly. We use tests that have been proven to be valid, reliable, and continuously researched; this comes with a price.
    • Assessments take a long time. Doing a thorough and full battery of tests requires time. Depending on the person's age and the nature of the assessment, this can be 6 or 7 hours or even spill over into a second day. We charge according to time, and therefore, this needs to be factored into the total cost of the assessment.
    • Preparation for the report. To make sense of the data collected during the assessment, we need to analyse and score it. This involves working out statistical differences, which can also take several hours or more. Scoring apart, we need to then make sense of the information and create hypotheses that help shed light on any potential areas of weakness and barriers to learning. Then we need to make recommendations and possible referrals, and none of this is billed for.
    • The report. A report is the product of an assessment, and it can take many hours to compile, but it is not charged for. Reports can vary in length, depending on the nature of the report, but a comprehensive Global Assessment report can, on average, be anywhere between 18 and 28 pages long. An assessment fee for psychometric assessments not only includes our time but also covers the test materials, as well as the time it takes to analyse the data, score the various tests and write the report. Analysing, scoring and writing a comprehensive assessment report takes extra time that is not specifically charged for, as the cost would not be feasible.

  1. Can I claim the cost of my assessment back from Medical Aid?

    • Tamsin Twiss Psychometry is a cash practice, and assessments need to be paid for within 7 days after the assessment date. However, we do provide ICD-10 codes for psychometric assessment on our invoicing. It is advisable to check with your medical aid provider to determine if you can claim the cost of the assessment back prior to the assessment session.

  2. Can a parent, guardian or sibling sit in on an assessment session?

    • Generally no. Assessments take place under one-on-one standardised conditions, and the presence of another person can be distracting or contribute towards nervousness, which would negatively impact the assessment procedures and outcomes. There are exceptions, eg if a younger child is nervous and requires time and proximity to a parent to become comfortable; however, this is always assessed on a case-by-case basis.

  3. What if I am in the middle of an assessment and I no longer want to participate or change my mind?

    • Consent and assent (in the case of minors) is a key principle of 'do no harm'. A client's autonomy will always be respected, and you will never be 'forced' to complete any assessment for any reason. Depending on the reason for stopping the assessment (e.g. test anxiety), we may reschedule for another day.  However, if the client decides to forgo assessment altogether, we may not be able to write a report, or the report will be incomplete based on the assessment that was completed.