DCD Psychology (DCD Abu Dhabi) exam questions

The DCD Psychology (DCD Abu Dhabi) exam

Regulator

Department of Community Development (DCD), Abu Dhabi - social-care licensing

Format

100 multiple-choice questions in 120 minutes, computer-based

Delivery

Prometric (Prometric.com/ADDCD)

Booking

Apply in TAMM, complete DataFlow verification, then book with your eligibility ID

From DCD's public Professional Certification Exams guide (2022). DCD publishes no pass mark or fee in it; confirm both on your eligibility notice. Dubai counsellors are licensed by the Community Development Authority instead.

From each regulator's own exam pages; anything a regulator does not publish says so. Assessment mode also depends on your licence title, so confirm your route on your eligibility notice.

12 worked Psychology (DCD Abu Dhabi) practice questions

Original exam-style questions from the bank, spread across the blueprint domains. They are not real or recalled exam questions. Try each one, then open the answer for the rationale and reference. None of them appear in the free mock exam, so reading them will not spoil it.

1. Question 1 · Professional Knowledge

   A teenager tidies her room to stop her mother's constant nagging, and the nagging stops. What process increases the tidying behaviour?

   1. APositive reinforcement
   2. BNegative reinforcement
   3. CPositive punishment
   4. DExtinction
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Negative reinforcement

   Removing an aversive stimulus after a behaviour increases that behaviour, which is negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement adds a pleasant stimulus, punishment decreases a behaviour, and extinction involves ceasing reinforcement.

   Reference: Skinner BF, Science and Human Behavior (1953)

2. Question 2 · Professional Knowledge

   A man says he obeys traffic laws because rules maintain order in society. According to Kohlberg, at which level is his reasoning?

   1. APreconventional morality
   2. BPostconventional morality
   3. CConventional morality
   4. DPremoral reasoning
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Conventional morality

   Reasoning that centres on upholding laws and social order is characteristic of conventional morality, which is stage 4. Preconventional reasoning relies on punishment or reward, and postconventional on universal ethical principles.

   Reference: Kohlberg L, The Philosophy of Moral Development (1981)

3. Question 3 · Interpersonal Skills

   A court-referred adolescent says, "I do not need to be here and you cannot make me talk." Which response best fits a motivational approach?

   1. AAcknowledge his choice, then ask what he wants from sessions
   2. BRemind him firmly that the court requires his attendance
   3. CWarn him that his silence will be reported to the court
   4. DBegin with a lengthy and detailed assessment questionnaire
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Acknowledge his choice, then ask what he wants from sessions

   Acknowledging autonomy reduces reactance and opens space for the adolescent's own goals, which is central to motivational interviewing. Threats or ignoring his stance increase resistance.

   Reference: Miller WR and Rollnick S, Motivational Interviewing, 3rd ed. (2013)

4. Question 4 · Interpersonal Skills

   A supervisor gives feedback to a trainee after observing a session. Which approach is most effective?

   1. ASpecific, timely, behavioural comments covering strengths and growth areas
   2. BGeneral praise given without any specific detail or examples
   3. COnly critical comments, to make sure the trainee improves
   4. DFeedback that is saved for the end-of-year performance review
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Specific, timely, behavioural comments covering strengths and growth areas

   Effective supervision feedback is specific, balanced and regular, linking observed behaviours to learning goals. Vague praise or delayed criticism does not support development.

   Reference: Falender CA and Shafranske EP, Clinical Supervision: A Competency-Based Approach (2004)

5. Question 5 · Professional Assessment

   A psychologist wants to assess set shifting and executive functioning after a frontal injury. Which test is most appropriate?

   1. ARey Auditory Verbal Learning Test
   2. BBeck Depression Inventory
   3. CWisconsin Card Sorting Test
   4. DRorschach Inkblot Test
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

   The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test measures abstract reasoning, cognitive flexibility and perseveration, all linked to frontal functioning. The other instruments assess memory, mood and projective personality.

   Reference: Lezak MD et al., Neuropsychological Assessment, 5th ed. (2012)

6. Question 6 · Professional Assessment

   The parents of a 4-year-old with ADHD symptoms ask about treatment. What is first-line care at this age?

   1. AStimulant medication prescribed immediately at this age
   2. BBehavioural parent training, in which parents learn skills
   3. CWeekly individual play therapy by itself with no parent involvement
   4. DWaiting until the child is ten years old before any intervention
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Behavioural parent training, in which parents learn skills

   For preschool children, guidelines recommend behavioural parent training as first-line, with medication reserved for moderate to severe cases after it has been tried. Waiting until age 10 would delay support.

   Reference: American Academy of Pediatrics, ADHD Clinical Practice Guideline (2019)

7. Question 7 · Professional Assessment

   A man has had delusions and hallucinations with disorganised speech for 3 months, and his functioning has declined. Which diagnosis is most accurate?

   1. ASchizophrenia, with symptoms lasting over six months
   2. BBrief psychotic disorder, lasting less than one month
   3. CDelusional disorder, without prominent hallucinations
   4. DSchizophreniform disorder, lasting one to six months
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Schizophreniform disorder, lasting one to six months

   Schizophreniform disorder involves active-phase symptoms lasting between one and six months, whereas schizophrenia requires six months. Brief psychotic disorder lasts under a month and delusional disorder lacks hallucinations and disorganisation.

   Reference: American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5-TR (2022)

8. Question 8 · Professional Assessment

   A patient with panic disorder fears the physical sensations of a racing heart. Which technique is most specific to this problem?

   1. AFree association to uncover hidden childhood conflicts
   2. BSystematic desensitisation to common animal phobias
   3. CInteroceptive exposure in cognitive behavioural therapy
   4. DDream analysis to interpret the symbolic content of panic
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Interoceptive exposure in cognitive behavioural therapy

   Interoceptive exposure deliberately produces feared bodily sensations so that catastrophic interpretations can be tested and extinguished. The other techniques do not target this fear.

   Reference: Barlow DH, Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorders, 5th ed. (2014)

9. Question 9 · Professional Ethics and Legality

   A senior psychologist asks an unlicensed assistant to interpret and report intelligence tests independently. What is the ethical issue?

   1. ADelegating a task the assistant is not qualified to perform
   2. BThe task is acceptable provided that the assistant is paid fairly
   3. CThere is no issue if the client has agreed to the arrangement
   4. DOnly the test publisher is in a position to object to it
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Delegating a task the assistant is not qualified to perform

   Psychologists delegate only tasks that supervisees can competently perform on the basis of training and experience and must supervise appropriately. Payment or client agreement does not establish competence.

   Reference: American Psychological Association, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002, amended 2017), Standard 2.05

10. Question 10 · Professional Ethics and Legality

    A study uses mild deception about its purpose. What must the researcher do after participation?

    1. AKeep the deception permanently secret from every participant
    2. BDelete all of the data collected from the participants
    3. CExclude those who guessed the purpose from the payment
    4. DDebrief participants promptly and correct misconceptions
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D. Debrief participants promptly and correct misconceptions

    When deception is justified and approved, researchers explain it to participants as early as feasible and allow them to withdraw their data. Concealing it indefinitely breaches the Ethics Code.

    Reference: American Psychological Association, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002, amended 2017), Standard 8.07

11. Question 11 · Cultural Diversity

    Which DSM-5-TR tool helps clinicians explore how a patient's cultural background shapes their understanding of the problem?

    1. AThe Mini-Mental State Examination
    2. BThe Cultural Formulation Interview
    3. CThe Global Assessment of Functioning
    4. DThe Hamilton Rating Scale
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B. The Cultural Formulation Interview

    The Cultural Formulation Interview consists of questions about the definition of the problem, cultural perceptions of cause, coping and help seeking. The other instruments assess cognition, overall functioning and depression severity.

    Reference: American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5-TR (2022)

12. Question 12 · Fitness to Practice

    A psychologist realises that her own untreated anxiety makes it hard to concentrate during sessions. What is the most ethical course?

    1. AContinue unchanged because the clients all seem to be satisfied
    2. BSeek treatment and consultation and reduce clinical work
    3. CPrescribe herself medication to manage the anxiety quickly
    4. DStop all contact with colleagues to avoid being judged by them
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B. Seek treatment and consultation and reduce clinical work

    Psychologists have an obligation to address problems that threaten competence and to limit or suspend practice until they can function adequately. Clients' satisfaction does not guarantee safety.

    Reference: American Psychological Association, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002, amended 2017), Standard 2.06