The Pre-Post Inventory does not interpret, judge or state opinions about treatment program effectiveness. It simply reports positive and negative change. The intent is to objectively report pretest-posttest change.

When comparing pretest - posttest scores you should note when the pretest score is at or below the 69th percentile (non-problematic range). Since a pretest problem did not exist, posttest improvement may be hard to come by. Indeed, in this case any below 69th percentile pretest score would likely show little or negative change.

It is important to remember that treatment outcome is influenced by both the treatment program and client-related factors like motivation, attitude, cooperation, commitment, acceptance and goals. Expecting all clients to want positive change may be unrealistic, especially when treatment is court ordered.

No change or negative pre-post comparison scores could reflect non-treatment. When a patient�s treatment plan does not include the problem or disorder represented by an omitted scale, it is likely that such problems/disorders will not be treated. Scale exceptions should be noted in the �comments and recommendations� section of the report. It is recommended that the Pre-Post Inventory be administered as part of the intake screening.

The Pre-Post Inventory is an automated computerized assessment instrument designed for clinical assessment at intake (pre-treatment) and again at the completion of treatment. It enables comparison of client status prior to, during and upon treatment completion. The Pre-Post Inventory can be re-administered to the same client at important decision making points in the treatment program.

In many testing settings it may be advantageous to �group test� with paper-pencil materials. Indeed most Pre-Post Inventory users utilize paper-pencil tests. You can download Pre-Post Inventory test booklets and answer sheets at www.online-testing.com and then photocopy them. If you have any questions call us at 1 (800) 231-2401 or email us at hl@online-testing.com.

When Pre-Post Inventory scales, or more specifically the problems and disorders they represent are not specifically mentioned in the patient�s referral or treatment plan it is likely they won�t be treated. To avoid this oversight we recommend that the Pre-Post Inventory �pretest report� be reviewed during program intake screening. Not being treated could help explain �no change� or even some negative outcome results.

Although posttest scale scores are discussed in terms of their comparison to analogous pretest scores, they also represent the client�s current or present problem status or intensity. Elevated (70th percentile and higher) posttest scale scores may foster consideration of continued or alternative treatment.

It is important that the Pre-Post Inventory be included in treatment intake screening. Intake administration of the Pre-Post Inventory (pretest) serves as the baseline against which posttest scale scores are compared. It is important to include the Pre-Post Inventory in treatment intake screening.

A 90th percentile or higher Truthfulness Scale score can occur in a pretest or posttest. In either case, the Pre-Post Inventory "Comparison Report" is negated, nullified or rendered null and void because an invalid (inaccurate) test can not be used in a meaningful baseline comparison.

If you are interested in obtaining more information on patient treatment effectiveness visit www.pre-post-inventory.com; domestic violence treatment effectiveness visit www.domestic-violence-tests.com; or the treatment effectiveness of referred probationers visit www.probation-referral-outcome.com.

In a small percentage of cases, treatment or counseling can sensitize clients to full disclosure or "baring their soul." Defense mechanisms (e.g., abreaction, catharsis, etc.) may be involved in extreme self-disclosure. This phenomenon could result in some posttest scale scores being higher after treatment.

When can the Pre-Post Inventory be re-administered? The Pre-Post Inventory should be administered at treatment program screening or intake (pretest) and re-administered prior to alteration or change. Traditionally it is administered again prior to program completion. Some treatment programs utilize 6 or 12 month re-administration review. Others administer the Pre-Post Inventory prior to important treatment program changes.

Risk range classification is straightforward: low risk (0 to 39th percentile), medium (40 to 69th percentile), problem (70 to 89th percentile) and severe problem (90 to 100th percentile). Yet, evaluator experience and judgment are needed to interpret borderline scores, co-occurring disorder effects, and scale interrelationships.

Report terminology varies. Scale risk is equated to treatment intensity, medium risk may be paraphrased as average risk, scale graphs are referred to as profiles and severe risk is described as maximum (or max) risk. Other synonyms include answer � response, validity � accuracy, item - question, etc.