The WAIS-IV

Question 1

Point Scale

Answer 1

Points are assigned for each correct item. This allows items to be grouped and comparisons to be made both within and between individuals.

Question 2

WAIS-IV

Answer 2

Developed in 2008. Consists of four indices and an overall score. Each index contains a number of core and supplemental subtests. Only use the supplemental test if one of the core tests can’t be used.

Question 3

Verbal Comprehension Index

Answer 3

Measure of verbal abilities requiring reasoning, comprehension and conceptualisation. Core subtests: similarities, vocabulary and information. Supplemental: comprehension.

Question 4

Perceptual Reasoning Index

Answer 4

Measure of non-verbal reasoning and perceptual organisation. Core subtests: block design, matrix reasoning and visual puzzles. Supplemental: figure weights and picture completion.

Question 5

Working Memory Index

Answer 5

Measure of working memory, sequential and simultaneous processing, attention and concentration. Core subtests: digit span and arithmetic. Supplemental: letter-number sequencing.

Question 6

Processing Speed Index

Answer 6

Measure of speed of mental and psychomotor processing. Core subtests: symbol search and coding. Supplemental: cancellation.

Question 7

Scoring the WAIS-IV

Answer 7

Raw scores are adjusted to scale scores using age adjusted norms. Summed scaled scores for each subtest form the index score, and summed scale score for each index forms the full scale IQ.

Question 8

Psychometrics of WAIS-IV

Answer 8

Very good standardisation sample, strong reliability (FSIQ is diagnostic). Strong validity supported by factor analysis, correlations with other IQ tests and special population testing.