IL237ILTS School Psychologist Practice Exam
**Question 1.** Which developmental theorist emphasized the role of social
interaction and language in cognitive development?
A) Piaget
B) Vygotsky
C) Erikson
D) Kohlberg
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory stresses that cognitive
development is mediated by language and social interaction.
**Question 2.** In Erikson’s theory, the primary psychosocial task during middle
childhood is:
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
C) Industry vs. Inferiority
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Ages 6‑12 focus on developing competence and a sense of
achievement (industry) versus feeling inferior.
**Question 3.** Which of the following best describes the “zone of proximal
development” (ZPD)?
A) The range of tasks a child can perform independently.
, IL237ILTS School Psychologist Practice Exam
B) The set of tasks a child can complete with adult guidance.
C) The level of development that is biologically predetermined.
D) The stage at which a child reaches moral reasoning.
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** ZPD refers to tasks a learner can accomplish with scaffolding but
not yet independently.
**Question 4.** A student displays frequent aggression after a recent family
relocation. Which factor most likely contributes to this behavior?
A) Genetic predisposition
B) Socioeconomic status
C) Trauma and loss of familiar environment
D) Poor nutrition
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Relocation can be a traumatic event causing stress‑related
aggression.
**Question 5.** Which health condition is most strongly associated with
attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms?
A) Asthma
B] Diabetes
C] Sleep apnea
, IL237ILTS School Psychologist Practice Exam
D] Hearing loss
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Sleep‑disordered breathing can mimic or exacerbate ADHD‑like
inattention and hyperactivity.
**Question 6.** When assessing a culturally and linguistically diverse student, the
psychologist should:
A) Use only English‑language normed tests.
B) Translate test items verbatim.
C) Select assessments validated for the student’s cultural group.
D) Rely solely on teacher ratings.
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Validated culturally appropriate assessments reduce bias and
improve accuracy.
**Question 7.** Giftedness is best defined as:
A) High achievement in a single academic area.
B] Superior intellectual ability combined with high performance.
C] An IQ score above 130 only.
D] Exceptional artistic talent only.
**Answer:** B
, IL237ILTS School Psychologist Practice Exam
**Explanation:** Giftedness involves both high ability and high achievement
across domains.
**Question 8.** Which learning theory emphasizes the role of reinforcement and
punishment in shaping behavior?
A) Cognitive theory
B] Social learning theory
C] Behavioral theory
D] Constructivist theory
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Behavioral theory focuses on operant conditioning—
reinforcement and punishment.
**Question 9.** The most appropriate assessment method for monitoring a
student’s reading fluency on a weekly basis is:
A] Standardized achievement test
B] Curriculum‑Based Measurement (CBM)
C] Behavioral observation checklist
D] Projective test
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** CBM provides frequent, reliable data on academic skill
acquisition.
**Question 1.** Which developmental theorist emphasized the role of social
interaction and language in cognitive development?
A) Piaget
B) Vygotsky
C) Erikson
D) Kohlberg
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory stresses that cognitive
development is mediated by language and social interaction.
**Question 2.** In Erikson’s theory, the primary psychosocial task during middle
childhood is:
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
C) Industry vs. Inferiority
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Ages 6‑12 focus on developing competence and a sense of
achievement (industry) versus feeling inferior.
**Question 3.** Which of the following best describes the “zone of proximal
development” (ZPD)?
A) The range of tasks a child can perform independently.
, IL237ILTS School Psychologist Practice Exam
B) The set of tasks a child can complete with adult guidance.
C) The level of development that is biologically predetermined.
D) The stage at which a child reaches moral reasoning.
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** ZPD refers to tasks a learner can accomplish with scaffolding but
not yet independently.
**Question 4.** A student displays frequent aggression after a recent family
relocation. Which factor most likely contributes to this behavior?
A) Genetic predisposition
B) Socioeconomic status
C) Trauma and loss of familiar environment
D) Poor nutrition
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Relocation can be a traumatic event causing stress‑related
aggression.
**Question 5.** Which health condition is most strongly associated with
attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms?
A) Asthma
B] Diabetes
C] Sleep apnea
, IL237ILTS School Psychologist Practice Exam
D] Hearing loss
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Sleep‑disordered breathing can mimic or exacerbate ADHD‑like
inattention and hyperactivity.
**Question 6.** When assessing a culturally and linguistically diverse student, the
psychologist should:
A) Use only English‑language normed tests.
B) Translate test items verbatim.
C) Select assessments validated for the student’s cultural group.
D) Rely solely on teacher ratings.
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Validated culturally appropriate assessments reduce bias and
improve accuracy.
**Question 7.** Giftedness is best defined as:
A) High achievement in a single academic area.
B] Superior intellectual ability combined with high performance.
C] An IQ score above 130 only.
D] Exceptional artistic talent only.
**Answer:** B
, IL237ILTS School Psychologist Practice Exam
**Explanation:** Giftedness involves both high ability and high achievement
across domains.
**Question 8.** Which learning theory emphasizes the role of reinforcement and
punishment in shaping behavior?
A) Cognitive theory
B] Social learning theory
C] Behavioral theory
D] Constructivist theory
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Behavioral theory focuses on operant conditioning—
reinforcement and punishment.
**Question 9.** The most appropriate assessment method for monitoring a
student’s reading fluency on a weekly basis is:
A] Standardized achievement test
B] Curriculum‑Based Measurement (CBM)
C] Behavioral observation checklist
D] Projective test
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** CBM provides frequent, reliable data on academic skill
acquisition.
