Page 38 - Silver Lakes Issue 8_2022

TODAY’S CHILD

CHOOSING SUBJECTS AND STUDY PATHS

By Dr Ilse Ruane

or Grade 9 pupils, choosing subjects Psychometric assessments can be divided Aptitude represents the learning potential
that will determine their future can into two main areas of inquiry: a child possesses – in other words, their
Fbe daunting. The same applies for • Learning or cognitive strengths and ability to learn. Within the school and
matriculants trying to decide on a suitable weaknesses tertiary education environments, the
study field for university. Psychologists can • personality functioning ability and potential to learn can outweigh
use a psychometric assessment to help the innate IQ of a child and/or teenager.
these students decide what subjects to The first area – intellectual or cognitive Intellectual ability and learning potential
take. strengths and weaknesses – is where your can only get a child so far within the
child is evaluated for possible learning scholastic and tertiary environment;
A psychometric assessment is used disabilities, attention problems or other in many cases, factors such as their
to assess a person’s cognitive ability, obstacles to their academic and social personality type and interests far outweigh
personality and interests so as to success. With regard to subject choices, the intellectual or aptitude potential.
help them make an informed decision psychologist would make use of assessments
and guide them in determining these such as an aptitude assessment, along with The second area – a personality assessment
sometimes tricky choices. Psychometric personality and interest questionnaires, to – is part of any psychological evaluation. If
assessments are also able to help parents gain a fuller picture of a child’s academic academic and intellectual factors do not
or schools when they suspect learning or potential within the relevant school- and seem to be the problem, then an evaluation
emotional problems. Clients, parents and university-offered subjects or fields. into other areas of functioning, such as
schools enlist the skills of psychologists personality and overall psychological
and psychometric assessments on an By including these three assessment wellness and functioning, is in order.
annual basis to help determine subject instruments into a battery of tests, an
choices for grades 10, 11 and 12; degree informed decision regarding subject choices A personality assessment can be a very
choices for university; as well as changes and university degree field choices may be useful way to look at a problem from a
in a person’s career path. made. different perspective. It can give you new

36 | INTRAMUROS SEPTEMBER 2022