Q.1 What is the primary purpose of psychological assessment in sports?
To diagnose physical injuries
To measure mental skills and traits
To design nutrition plans
To train technical skills
Explanation - Psychological assessment in sports is mainly used to evaluate athletes' mental states, skills, and traits that influence performance, such as motivation, confidence, and anxiety.
Correct answer is: To measure mental skills and traits
Q.2 Which of the following is commonly assessed in sports psychology?
Agility
Motivation
Endurance
Strength
Explanation - Motivation is a psychological factor influencing performance, whereas agility, endurance, and strength are physical factors.
Correct answer is: Motivation
Q.3 Which tool is often used to measure an athlete’s anxiety levels?
Stroop Test
Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT)
MMPI
Reaction Time Test
Explanation - The SCAT is a widely used tool to assess competitive anxiety levels in athletes.
Correct answer is: Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT)
Q.4 Psychological assessments in sports help coaches to:
Improve athletes' diet plans
Understand athletes' mental strengths and weaknesses
Prescribe medical treatment
Enhance equipment design
Explanation - Assessments provide insights into athletes’ psychological makeup, allowing coaches to tailor training accordingly.
Correct answer is: Understand athletes' mental strengths and weaknesses
Q.5 Which psychological construct is MOST related to an athlete’s ability to stay focused?
Confidence
Concentration
Aggression
Motivation
Explanation - Concentration is the mental skill of maintaining focus on relevant cues while ignoring distractions, crucial for performance.
Correct answer is: Concentration
Q.6 Which method is NOT typically part of psychological assessment in sports?
Questionnaires
Observation
Blood pressure testing
Interviews
Explanation - Blood pressure testing is physiological, not psychological, while questionnaires, observation, and interviews are common psychological methods.
Correct answer is: Blood pressure testing
Q.7 What does the term 'psychometric validity' refer to in sports assessment?
Consistency of results
Accuracy of what is being measured
Speed of test completion
Athlete’s motivation to complete
Explanation - Validity ensures the test measures what it claims to measure, which is essential in sports psychology assessments.
Correct answer is: Accuracy of what is being measured
Q.8 Which scale measures an athlete’s intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
POMS
SMS (Sport Motivation Scale)
SCAT
Beck Depression Inventory
Explanation - The Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) is designed to measure both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors.
Correct answer is: SMS (Sport Motivation Scale)
Q.9 Why is psychological assessment important for injured athletes?
To predict recovery time physically
To assess psychological readiness to return
To measure muscle endurance
To avoid further physiotherapy
Explanation - Psychological readiness, including confidence and fear of re-injury, is critical when deciding if an athlete can safely return to sport.
Correct answer is: To assess psychological readiness to return
Q.10 Which of the following BEST describes 'trait anxiety'?
A temporary response to stress
A long-term tendency to feel anxious
An athlete’s confidence level
Anxiety only during exams
Explanation - Trait anxiety is a stable characteristic, whereas state anxiety is temporary and situation-specific.
Correct answer is: A long-term tendency to feel anxious
Q.11 In sports psychology, the Profile of Mood States (POMS) test measures:
Heart rate
Mood and emotions
Body fat percentage
Reflex speed
Explanation - POMS assesses emotional states such as tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion.
Correct answer is: Mood and emotions
Q.12 Which factor is MOST critical in test-retest reliability of psychological assessments?
Consistency of results over time
Number of test questions
Ease of scoring
Level of difficulty
Explanation - Test-retest reliability checks whether results remain consistent when the same test is administered multiple times.
Correct answer is: Consistency of results over time
Q.13 Observation as a psychological assessment method in sports is useful because:
It provides objective data on physical growth
It gives real-time insights into athlete behavior
It measures biochemical changes
It is less time consuming
Explanation - Observation allows psychologists to study athletes’ behavior, communication, and coping strategies during real or simulated situations.
Correct answer is: It gives real-time insights into athlete behavior
Q.14 Which of the following is a limitation of self-report questionnaires in sports psychology?
They are easy to administer
They may be biased by social desirability
They can assess large groups quickly
They measure subjective experiences
Explanation - Athletes may provide socially acceptable answers instead of truthful responses, affecting accuracy.
Correct answer is: They may be biased by social desirability
Q.15 Which psychological factor is most often linked with 'choking under pressure'?
Low confidence
High motivation
Good concentration
Strong aggression
Explanation - Choking is often associated with low confidence and high anxiety in high-pressure moments.
Correct answer is: Low confidence
Q.16 The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) measures:
Strength and power
State anxiety and self-confidence
Memory capacity
Cognitive reaction times
Explanation - CSAI-2 assesses the temporary state of anxiety and confidence levels during competition.
Correct answer is: State anxiety and self-confidence
Q.17 Which assessment method is most useful for exploring unconscious motivations in athletes?
Structured interview
Projective tests
Reaction time tests
Surveys
Explanation - Projective tests, such as the Thematic Apperception Test, are designed to uncover hidden or unconscious motives and feelings.
Correct answer is: Projective tests
Q.18 Why is confidentiality critical in psychological assessment of athletes?
To ensure test reliability
To protect athletes’ trust and privacy
To improve test speed
To increase competition results
Explanation - Confidentiality builds trust and ensures athletes feel safe sharing personal information.
Correct answer is: To protect athletes’ trust and privacy
Q.19 Which of the following BEST describes 'state anxiety'?
A stable personality trait
Short-term stress in specific situations
Confidence levels
Anger during competition
Explanation - State anxiety refers to temporary feelings of stress or nervousness in a specific situation like competition.
Correct answer is: Short-term stress in specific situations
Q.20 What is the purpose of baseline psychological testing for athletes?
To predict injury recovery
To provide a reference point for future assessments
To measure endurance
To assess muscle strength
Explanation - Baseline testing helps track changes over time by comparing future results with the initial assessment.
Correct answer is: To provide a reference point for future assessments
Q.21 Which of these is an ethical consideration in sports psychological assessment?
Forcing all athletes to take the test
Informed consent
Sharing data with the public
Using only physical measures
Explanation - Informed consent ensures athletes are aware of the purpose, risks, and use of the assessment.
Correct answer is: Informed consent
Q.22 Which test is often used to measure athletes' mood before and after competitions?
SCAT
POMS
CSAI-2
MMPI
Explanation - The Profile of Mood States (POMS) is used to measure mood fluctuations related to sports performance.
Correct answer is: POMS
Q.23 In sports psychology, the term 'mental toughness' refers to:
Physical endurance
Ability to cope with pressure and setbacks
Level of aggression
Nutritional discipline
Explanation - Mental toughness reflects resilience, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Correct answer is: Ability to cope with pressure and setbacks
Q.24 What is the main drawback of interviews in psychological assessment?
They allow rapport building
They can be time consuming and subjective
They give deep insights
They are flexible
Explanation - While interviews provide rich insights, they are limited by subjectivity and require significant time to administer.
Correct answer is: They can be time consuming and subjective
Q.25 Which psychological factor is MOST linked to goal-setting in athletes?
Confidence
Motivation
Aggression
Anxiety
Explanation - Motivation drives athletes to set and pursue goals, which is central to sports performance.
Correct answer is: Motivation