Blueprint
The 225-spot blueprint
A practice form has 225 spots, one per item on the real exam. Spots are split across domains by ASPPB's content weights (largest-remainder rounding of 225 × weight), then across the 71 knowledge statements. Each spot holds five scenario variants of a single concept.
Domain allocation
| # | Domain | Weight | Exact | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Bases of Behavior | 10% | 22.50 | 22 | 1/22 |
| 2 | Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior | 13% | 29.25 | 29 | 1/29 |
| 3 | Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior | 11% | 24.75 | 25 | 1/25 |
| 4 | Growth and Lifespan Development | 12% | 27.00 | 27 | 1/27 |
| 5 | Assessment and Diagnosis | 16% | 36.00 | 36 | 0/36 |
| 6 | Treatment, Intervention, Prevention and Supervision | 15% | 33.75 | 34 | 0/34 |
| 7 | Research Methods and Statistics | 7% | 15.75 | 16 | 1/16 |
| 8 | Ethical/Legal/Professional Issues | 16% | 36.00 | 36 | 26/36 |
| Total | 100% | 225 | 31/225 |
1. Biological Bases of Behavior · 22 spots
| KN | Knowledge statement (ASPPB, verbatim) | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| KN1 | Neurobiology/genetics of behavior. Functional correlates and determinants of the neurobiological and genetic bases of behavior pertaining to perception, cognition, personality, and mood and affect in normal, acute and chronic neurobehavioral disease processes and disease comorbidities | 6 | 0 |
| KN2 | Drug classes, mechanisms, adverse effects. Drug classification, mechanisms of action, and desired/adverse effects of therapeutic agents, drugs of abuse, and complementary or alternative agents | 5 | 1 |
| KN3 | Major trials and treatment guidelines. Results from major trials and general guidelines for pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and combined treatment of psychological disorders | 3 | 0 |
| KN4 | Behavioral genetics. Behavioral genetics, transmission and expression of genetic information and its modification, and the role and limitations of this information in understanding disorders | 4 | 0 |
| KN5 | Imaging, electrophysiology, drug monitoring, genetic screening. Applications of structural and functional brain imaging methods, electrophysiological methods, therapeutic drug monitoring methods, and genetic screening methodologies, and the evidence for their effectiveness | 4 | 0 |
2. Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior · 29 spots
| KN | Knowledge statement (ASPPB, verbatim) | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| KN6 | Intelligence. Major research-based theories and models of intelligence and their application | 4 | 0 |
| KN7 | Learning. Major research-based theories, models, and principles of learning and their application | 5 | 1 |
| KN8 | Memory. Major research-based theories and models of memory and their application | 4 | 0 |
| KN9 | Motivation. Major research-based theories and models of motivation and their application | 3 | 0 |
| KN10 | Emotion. Major research-based theories and models of emotion and their application | 4 | 0 |
| KN11 | Sensation, perception, attention, language, executive function. Elements of cognition, including sensation and perception, attention, language, information processing, visual-spatial processing, executive functioning | 4 | 0 |
| KN12 | Cognition–affect–behavior relations. Relations among cognitions/beliefs, behavior, affect, temperament, and mood | 3 | 0 |
| KN13 | Psychosocial influences on cognition. Influence of psychosocial factors on cognitions/beliefs and behaviors | 2 | 0 |
3. Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior · 25 spots
| KN | Knowledge statement (ASPPB, verbatim) | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| KN14 | Social cognition. Major research-based theories and models of social cognition (e.g., person perception, development of stereotypes, prejudice) | 4 | 1 |
| KN15 | Social interaction. Social interaction and relationships (e.g., attraction, aggression, altruism, organizational justice, verbal and non-verbal communication, internet communication, mate selection, empathy) | 4 | 0 |
| KN16 | Group/systems processes. Group and systems processes (e.g., school, work, and family systems, job satisfaction, team functioning, conformity, persuasion) and social influences on functioning | 4 | 0 |
| KN17 | Personality theories. Major research-based personality theories and models | 4 | 0 |
| KN18 | Cultural/sociopolitical psychology. Cultural and sociopolitical psychology (e.g., privilege, cross-cultural comparisons, political differences, international and global awareness, religiosity and spirituality, acculturation) | 3 | 0 |
| KN19 | Identity and intersectionality. Identity diversity and intersectionality (e.g., psychological impact of diversity on individuals, families, and systems) | 3 | 0 |
| KN20 | Oppression. Causes, manifestations, and effects of oppression | 3 | 0 |
4. Growth and Lifespan Development · 27 spots
| KN | Knowledge statement (ASPPB, verbatim) | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| KN21 | Normal development. Normal growth and development across the lifespan | 4 | 0 |
| KN22 | Individual–environment interaction. Influence of individual-environment interaction on development over time (e.g., the relationship between the individual and the social, academic, work, community environment) | 4 | 0 |
| KN23 | Developmental theories. Major research-based theories and models of development | 5 | 1 |
| KN24 | Diverse identities and development. Influence of diverse identities on development | 3 | 0 |
| KN25 | Family development. Family development, configuration, and functioning and their impact on the individual across the lifespan | 3 | 0 |
| KN26 | Life events. Life events that can influence the course of development across the lifespan | 3 | 0 |
| KN27 | Risk/protective factors. Risk and protective factors that may impact a developmental course (e.g., nutrition, prenatal care, health care, social support, socioeconomic status, abuse, victimization, and resiliency) | 3 | 0 |
| KN28 | Disorders affecting development. Disorders and diseases that impact the expected course of development over the lifespan | 2 | 0 |
5. Assessment and Diagnosis · 36 spots
| KN | Knowledge statement (ASPPB, verbatim) | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| KN29 | Psychometrics. Psychometric theories, item and test characteristics, test construction and standardization procedures, reliability and validity, sensitivity and specificity, and test fairness and bias | 5 | 0 |
| KN30 | Assessment models. Assessment theories and models (e.g., developmental, behavioral, ecological, neuropsychological) | 2 | 0 |
| KN31 | Assessment methods. Assessment methods and their strengths and limitations (e.g., self-report, multi-informant reports, psychophysiological measures, work samples, assessment centers, direct observation, structured and semi-structured interviews) | 3 | 0 |
| KN32 | Common instruments. Commonly used instruments for the measurement of characteristics and behaviors of individuals and their appropriate use with various populations | 4 | 0 |
| KN33 | Differential diagnosis. Issues of differential diagnosis and integration of non-psychological information into psychological assessment | 4 | 0 |
| KN34 | Group/organizational assessment. Instruments and methods appropriate for the assessment of groups and organizations (e.g., program evaluation, needs assessment, organizational and personnel assessment) | 2 | 0 |
| KN35 | Selecting/adapting measures. Criteria for selection and adaptation of assessment methods (e.g., evidenced-based knowledge of assessment limitations, cultural appropriateness, trans-cultural adaptation, and language accommodations) | 2 | 0 |
| KN36 | Classification systems. Classification systems and their underlying rationales and limitations for evaluating client functioning; dimensional vs. categorical approaches to diagnosis | 3 | 0 |
| KN37 | Base rates/heuristics. Factors influencing evidence-based interpretation of data and decision-making (e.g., base rates, group differences, cultural biases and differences, heuristics) | 3 | 0 |
| KN38 | Epidemiology. Constructs of epidemiology and base rates of psychological and behavioral disorders | 2 | 0 |
| KN39 | Psychopathology models. Major research-based theories and models of psychopathology | 3 | 0 |
| KN40 | Outcome measurement. Measurement of outcomes and changes due to prevention or intervention efforts with individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations | 2 | 0 |
| KN41 | Technology in assessment. Use of technology in implementing tests, surveys, and other forms of assessment and diagnostic evaluation (e.g., validity, cost-effectiveness, consumer acceptability) | 1 | 0 |
6. Treatment, Intervention, Prevention and Supervision · 34 spots
| KN | Knowledge statement (ASPPB, verbatim) | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| KN42 | Treatment decision factors. Factors related to treatment or intervention decision-making (e.g., relevant research, matching treatment to assessment/diagnosis, matching client or patient with psychologist characteristics, knowledge and use of allied services, cost and benefit, readiness to change) | 3 | 0 |
| KN43 | Treatment/prevention models. Contemporary research-based theories and models of treatment, intervention, and prevention | 5 | 0 |
| KN44 | Comparative efficacy. Treatment techniques and interventions and the evidence for their comparative efficacy and effectiveness | 5 | 0 |
| KN45 | Special populations. Methods and their evidence base for prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation with diverse and special populations | 3 | 0 |
| KN46 | Growth/performance interventions. Interventions to enhance growth and performance of individuals, couples, families, groups, systems, and organizations | 2 | 0 |
| KN47 | Consultation. Research-based consultation models and processes | 3 | 0 |
| KN48 | Career development. Research-based models of vocational and career development | 2 | 0 |
| KN49 | Telepsychology. Telepsychology and technology-assisted psychological services | 2 | 0 |
| KN50 | Healthcare systems. Healthcare systems, structures, and economics, and how these impact intervention choice | 2 | 0 |
| KN51 | Health promotion. Approaches to health promotion, risk reduction, resilience, and wellness | 3 | 0 |
| KN52 | Supervision models. Contemporary theories and models of supervision and their evidence base | 4 | 0 |
7. Research Methods and Statistics · 16 spots
| KN | Knowledge statement (ASPPB, verbatim) | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| KN53 | Sampling. Sampling and data collection methods | 2 | 0 |
| KN54 | Designs. Design of case, correlational, quasi-experimental, and experimental studies | 3 | 0 |
| KN55 | Analytic methods. Analytic methods, including qualitative (e.g., thematic, phenomenological) and quantitative (e.g., probability theory; descriptive, inferential, and parametric statistics; meta-analysis; factor analysis; causal modeling) | 3 | 1 |
| KN56 | Statistical interpretation. Statistical interpretation (e.g., power, effect size, causation vs. association, clinical vs. statistical significance) | 3 | 0 |
| KN57 | Critical appraisal/validity threats. Critical appraisal and application of research findings (e.g., adequacy of design and statistics, limitations to generalizability, threats to internal and external validity, design flaws, level of evidence) | 2 | 0 |
| KN58 | Program evaluation. Evaluation strategies and techniques (e.g., needs assessment, process and implementation evaluation, formative and summative program evaluation, outcome evaluation, cost-benefit analysis) | 1 | 0 |
| KN59 | Community participation. Considerations regarding community involvement and participation in research | 1 | 0 |
| KN60 | Dissemination. Dissemination and presentation of research findings | 1 | 0 |
8. Ethical/Legal/Professional Issues · 36 spots
| KN | Knowledge statement (ASPPB, verbatim) | Spots | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| KN61 | APA/CPA ethics codes. Current ethical principles and codes for psychologists (APA, CPA) | 8 | 8 |
| KN62 | Professional standards/guidelines. Professional standards and relevant guidelines for the practice of psychology (e.g., standards for educational and psychological testing) | 3 | 0 |
| KN63 | Laws and judicial decisions. Laws, statutes, and judicial decisions that affect psychological practice | 5 | 5 |
| KN64 | Managing ethical issues. Identification and management of potential ethical issues | 4 | 4 |
| KN65 | Decision-making models. Models of ethical decision-making | 2 | 0 |
| KN66 | Continuing development. Approaches for continuing professional development | 1 | 0 |
| KN67 | Emerging issues. Emerging social, legal, ethical, and policy issues and their impact on psychological practice | 2 | 0 |
| KN68 | Client rights. Client and patient rights | 3 | 3 |
| KN69 | Research ethics. Ethical issues in the conduct of research | 3 | 3 |
| KN70 | Supervision ethics. Ethical issues in supervision | 3 | 3 |
| KN71 | Technology-assisted services. Ethical issues in technology-assisted psychological services | 2 | 0 |
Weights and knowledge statements: ASPPB EPPP Candidate Handbook (September 2026), Appendix A, based on ASPPB's 2017 Job Task Analysis.