THE  TECHNIQUE  OF  GIVING  TESTS  l6l
In  giving  an  examination  composed  of  a  series  of  tests,
every  preparation  should  be  made  so  that  each  test  will
follow  the  other  with  a  minimum  of  delay.  Nothing  so
disturbs  an  individual  in  such  a  situation  as  periods  of
uncertainty  and  suspense.  Therefore,  all  materials  should
be  arranged  in  order  and  in  completeness,  so  that  the  examiner ­
  is  ready  to  start  explaining  the  next  test  at  the
same  instant  in  which  the  subject  completes  the  previous
°ne.  This  sounds  like  a  comparatively  simple  matter;
but  any  one  who  has  given  tests  knows  that  it  is  an  art
which  can  be  acquired  only  by  a  great  deal  of  practice.
An  observer,  standing  over  the  expert  examiner  and  watchln
 g  him  as  he  gives  one  test  after  another,  is  struck  with
the  smoothness  and  dispatch  of  the  process.  He  does  not
realize  that  there  are  intricacies  and  devices  here  which
Were  developed  only  after  months  of  experiment  and
practice.  The  psychologist,  familiar  with  the  minutiae
°f  his  technique,  can  impart  this  knowledge  to  a  novice
m  a  comparatively  short  time.  The  novice,  however,
if  left  to  himself,  may  blunder  for  months  without  developln
 g  the  necessary  technique  or  acquiring  a  knowledge  of
the  significant  details.  The  technique  of  giving  tests
1s j  in  this  respect,  much  like  the  game  of  chess.  One
who  is  not  familiar  with  the  game  may  watch  its  interesting
rnoves  for  hours  without  comprehending  their  meaning.
To  give  a  psychological  examination  without  awkward
tUoves,  simple  though  it  appears,  is  a  game  which,  like
tbe  game  of  chess,  requires  explanation  and  rules.  The
psychological  examiner  must  acquire  the  technique  of  this
game.
One  of  the  most  important  features  of  this  technique  is
*be  matter  of  giving  directions.  Something  has  already
been  said  about  this  in  the  paragraph  on  starting  the  test.