FAQs
How do I get started?Go to SWAP-200 Online and create an account (or select SWAP-200 Online from the Start Assessment menu). You can then complete a SWAP-200 assessment—a brief tutorial will explain how. You will receive a comprehensive assessment report when you complete the assessment.
Which assessment report should I choose?The Clinical Interpretive Report is for clinical practitioners. It includes extensive narrative interpretation of all SWAP-200 scores along with personality diagnoses, clinical case formulations, and treatment recommendations. view sample Clinical Interpretive Report
The National Security Interpretive Report is geared toward security risk assessment. It was developed with agencies of the U.S. Federal Government to assess personnel for sensitive positions such as those requiring access to classified information. Choose the National Security Interpretive Report for forensic assessment and high-stakes personnel assessment where questions of trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, and sound judgment are paramount. view sample National Security Interpretive Report
The Basic Score Report provides score profiles and lists the 30 most descriptive SWAP-200 items. No interpretation is provided. The report is intended primarily for investigators collecting research data who are thoroughly familiar with SWAP-200 score interpretation. All others should choose the Clinical Interpretive Report or National Security Interpretive Report. view sample Basic Score Report
How long does it take to score SWAP-200?If it’s your first time, plan to spend up to 45 minutes to complete the scoring procedure. After you have used SWAP-200 a few times, you will probably be able to do it in 20 to 25 minutes. The more familiar you are with the test, the more quickly you can score it.
You don’t have to finish the scoring in one sitting. You can stop any time and resume where you left off.
How well must I know someone to do a SWAP-200 assessment?For patients or clients in psychotherapy, you can score SWAP-200 after a minimum of six clinical sessions.
If you see a person for assessment only (e.g., forensic or personnel assessment), you can score SWAP-200 on the basis of an in-depth clinical interview. We recommend the extensively-researched Clinical Diagnostic Interview (CDI). The CDI systematizes the clinical interview process and provides reliable and valid SWAP results. Download the CDI here.
What diagnostic scales does SWAP-200 include?SWAP-200 provides three score profiles comprising 37 diagnostic scales. The first score profile provides scores for DSM-5 personality disorder diagnoses. The second score profile provides diagnostic scores for an alternative set of empirically-derived personality syndromes. The third score profile provides scores for 12 trait dimensions. The National Security Interpretive Report includes the Dispositional Indicators of Risk Exposure (DIRE) scale for security risk assessment. Consult the Guide to SWAP-200 Interpretation for more information.
Is there a test manual?The Guide to SWAP-200 Interpretation provides background information and instructions for score interpretation. The introduction is essential background reading for all SWAP-200 users. The remainder of the Guide is a reference resource for users who do not receive interpretive reports (e.g., users of SWAP-200 for Microsoft Excel).
For more information about SWAP-200 scale development, consult the journal articles on our Bibliography page.
I need a comprehensive introduction and overview. What is the best article to get up to speed?Integrating empirical and clinical perspectives on personality: The Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (Shedler, 2022). You can download this and other articles from the Bibliography page.
How do I bill third-party payers?Psychologists and physicians can bill third party-payers for SWAP-200 assessments using CPT code 96101 for psychological testing and interpretation. In many states, other mental health providers working under the supervision of a qualified professional can use CPT code 96102 for psychological testing administered by a technician.
SWAP-200 online is not working in my browser. What should I do?Refresh your browser window. If the problem persists, try using a different browser. We recommend Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. There are known incompatibilities with some versions of Internet Explorer.
What is SWAP-200 for Microsoft Excel?SWAP-200 for Microsoft Excel is legacy software that runs on PCs with Microsoft Excel for Windows. The software generates SWAP-200 score profiles and lists applicable DSM-5 personality disorder diagnoses. It does not provide interpretive reports.
We will continue to provide SWAP-200 for Microsoft Excel as legacy software for users who have a specific need for it, but we no longer provide support for this product. Most users should use SWAP-200 Online.
Is SWAP-200 available in other languages?SWAP-200 has been translated into fourteen languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, Hebrew, Persian, Chinese, and Japanese. Contact us for more information.
Can I access other versions of SWAP, like the revised SWAP-II or the SWAP-II-A for adolescents?Microsoft Excel software is available for collecting research data. The software is for data collection only and does not provide diagnostic results.
Is educational pricing available?Educational users and university-affiliated researchers conducting unfunded research may be eligible for educational pricing. To apply, send a request with the following information: Your educational institution, your position (e.g., training director, faculty member, student), and a description of how you plan to use SWAP. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.