Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)

Individually administered clinical instrument

designed to assess the cognitive ability of

adolescents and adults ages 16 years 0 months

through 90 years 11 months.

Block Design: BD working within a specified time limit, the examiner views a model and a picture only and uses red and white blocks to re-create the design.

Similarities: SI The examinee is presented two words

that represent common object or concepts and describes how they are similar.

Digit Span: DS The examinee is read a sequence of numbers and recalls the numbers in the same order.

Digit Span Backward - The examinee is read a sequence of numbers and recalls the numbers in reverse order.

Digit Span Sequencing - The examinee is read a sequence of numbers and recalls the numbers in ascending order.

Matrix Reasoning - MR The eaminee views and incomplete matrix or series and selects the response option that completes the matrix or series.

Vocabulary VC - For picture items, the exminee names the objects presented virtually.

For verbal items, the examinee defines words that are presented visually and orally.

Arithmetic: AR - Working within a specified time limit, the examinee mentally solves a series of arithmetic problems.

Symbol Search: SS Working within a specified time limit, the examinee scans a search group and indicates whether one of the symbols in the target group matches.

Virtual Puzzles: VP Working within a specified time limit, the examinee views a completed puzzle and selects three response options that when combined, reconstruct the puzzle.

Information - IN The examinee answers questions that address a broad range of general knowledge topics.

Coding CD Using a key, the examinee copies symbols that are paired with numbers within a specified time limit.

Letter number sequencing - LN The examinee is read a sequence of numbers and letters and recalls the numbers in ascending order and the letters in alphabetical order.

Figure Weights: FW Working within a specific time limit, the examinee views a scale with missing weight(s) and selects the response option that keeps the scale balanced.

Comprehension: CO The examinee answers questions based on his or her understanding of general principles and social situations.

Cancellation: CA Working within a specified time limit, the examinee scans a structure arrangement of shapes and marks target shapes.

Picture completion: PCm Working within a specified time limit, the examiner view a picture with an important part missing and identifies the missing part.

Administration Time varies with numerous factors,

including the examinee's ability level and/ special needs,

the examinee's test-taking style,, the examiner's administration style and experience,

and the time required to maintain rapport and/ or minimize fatigue.

Start Points - All 15 subtests have a single start point for all ages.

Examinees suspected of intellectual disability (i.e. mental retardation) should always begin with Item 1.

Reverse Rules

Items prior to a start point item are considered reversal items and are designed to extend the floor for examinees suspected of intellectual disability or general intellectual deficiency

Discontinue Rules

Discontinue rules are criteria for determining when to cease subtest administration and are designed to maintain rapport and minimize testing time.

Timing

There are some subtests with strict time limits and other subtests without strict time limits.

Queries (Q)

Queries are used to elisit additional information when an examinee's response is incomplete, vague, or unclear. For example, unclear verbal response on the Similarities subtest should be clarified by saying. What do you mean?

Prompts (P)

Prompts are used to teach or remind the examee of the subtest task. For example, examinees who do not choose three pieces on the Visual Puzzles subtest are reminded to choose three pieces for each item.

Repetition

Repetition of items and instructions often serves to redirect the examinee's attention and ensures his or her understanding of an item or the subtest task.

However, Digit Span and Letter-Number Sequencing do not allow for repetition of item trials.

Time required (in Minutes) by Various Percentages of Specified Samples to Complete 10 Core Subtests

Percent Complete

50 75 90 95

Sample

Normative 67 79 91 100

Intellectually Gifted 77 87 99 100

Intellectual Disability 36 44 50 59

Applications

Obtain a comprehensive assessment of general cognitive functioning

To identify intellectual disability

To identify intellectual giftedness

To identify cognitive strengths and weaknessess

VCI

PRI

Perceptual Reasoning Index Scale

Verbal Comprehension Index Scale

Core Subests

Similarities

Vocabulary

Information

Supplemental Subtest

Comprehension

Core Subtests

Block Design

Matrix Reasoning

Visual Puzzles

Supplemental Subtests

Figure weights (16-69 only)

Picture Completion

Full Scale (FSIQ)

PSI

WMI

Working Memory Index Scale

Processing Speed Index Scales

Core Subtests

Digit Span

Arithmetic

Supplemental Subtest

Letter-Number Sequencing (16-69 only)

Core Subtests

Symbols Search

Coding

Supplemental Subtests

Cancellation (16-69 only)

Subtest Content and Description

The WAIS-IV is composed of 15 subtests.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)

Erick David Arguello, M.A., M.Ed., Psy.D.