The examinee sorts the cards the same way, but gives a different explanation. How is this handled?

Frequently Asked Question:

The examinee has to sort the cards in a different way each time. It happens quite often that the examinee sorts the cards the same way, but gives a different explanation. The examiner then has to point out 'make different groups each time you sort'. What if the examinee does not understand that this applies to the sort and not to the description?

Answer:

Regarding the discontinue: After the examinee completes the 8th sort, this is the point hypothetically that the examinee should recognize that there are no more sorts but should still be given the prompt "Now try to sort then in a different way" This is covered on pg 106, Discontinue condition (a) the examinee indicates that he or she cannot identify any more sort, even after the single prompt to keep trying" They should be given the prompt and then its on the examinee to give some indication that there are no more sorts. If the examinee does not recognize this after the eight correct sorts are completed, the examiner should not stop the them. Allow the examinee to complete up to two more sorts, which will be repeated sorts, and then stop them at that point meeting discontinue condition (c).

Repeated Sort: It would be a deviation from standardized administration to explain to the examinee what constitutes a new sort and should not be told. Allow them to continue until the discontinue rule is met.

That being said, the examiner is always welcome to test the limits or utilize the method they described for the purposes of research. If the clinician chooses this option, the scores obtained cannot be compared against the norms.