WISC and WAIS Flashcards by Liz Vogelaar

What does the WAIS-IV and WISC-V measure?

The WAIS-IV and the WISC-V are designed to measure a range of cognitive abilities in adults and children, respectively. They provide comprehensive assessment of an individual’s intellectual functioning through various subtests that contribute to primary index scores and the Full Scale IQ (FSIQ).

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What is the FSIQ?

The Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) is a composite score that represents an individual’s overall level of cognitive ability

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What is the age range for the WAIS-IV?

16 years to 90 years 11 months

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What are the four indexes of the WAIS-V?

Verbal Comprehension Index
Perceptual Reasoning Index
Working Memory Index
Processing Speed Index

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What does the Verbal Comprehension Index measure?

Verbal Comprehension measures one’s ability to access and apply acquired word knowledge.

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What are the subtests for Verbal Comprehension and what do they entail?

Similarities: Describe how two words are alike
Vocabulary: Define words of increasing difficulty
Information: General knowledge
Comprehension (Supplemental): Social situations or common concepts

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What does the Perceptual Reasoning Index Measure?

The Perceptual Reasoning Index assesses nonverbal and fluid reasoning, spatial processing, and visual-motor integration.

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What are the subtests for the Perceptual Reasoning Index

Block Design: Replicate designs using coloured blocks
Matrix Reasoning: Selects missing pieces from series of visual patterns
Visual Puzzles: Chooses a piece to combine into a visual pattern
Picture Completion (Supplemental): Identify missing part of a picture
Figure Weights (Supplemental): Selects option that balances a visual scale

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What does the Working Memory Index measure

Working Memory Index measures one’s ability to take in, retain, and immediately recall small pieces of information.

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What are the subtests for Working Memory Index and what do they entail?

Digit Span: Repeats numbers in same order, reverse order, and ascending order
Arithmetic: Solving arithmetic problems
Letter-Number Sequencing (Supplemental): Rearrange a string of numbers and letters in numerical and alphabetical order

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What does the Processing Speed Index measure?

Processing Speed Index measures the ability to process simple or routine visual information quickly and efficiently.

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What are the subtests for Processing Speed Index and what do they entail?

Symbol Search: Scan symbols and indicates if target symbol is present
Coding: Copies symbols that are paired with numbers
Cancellation (Supplemental): Marks target shapes within a structured array

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What is the age range for the WISC-V

6 years to 16 years 11 months

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Would you use the WISC or the WAIS for a client that is 16 years 6 months?

For a 16-year-old and 6-month-old individual, the WAIS-IV is generally recommended. This is because it aligns with the cognitive and developmental transition to adulthood, which is relevant for older adolescents. However, considering the individual’s maturity level, cognitive profile, and requirement for comparisons within a younger adolescent framework, the WISC-V can still be a valid choice.

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What are the five primary indexes for the WISC-V?

Verbal Comprehension
Visual Spatial Index
Fluid Reasoning Index
Working Memory Index
Processing Speed Index

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What does the Visual Spatial Index measure?

The Visual Spatial Index assesses the child’s ability to evaluate visual details and understand visual spatial relationships to construct geometric designs

What does the Fluid Reasoning Index measure?

The Fluid Reasoning Index measures the child’s ability to detect the underlying conceptual relationship among visual objects and use reasoning to identify and apply rules.

How does the Perceptual Reasoning Index from the WAIS differ from the two Indexes of Fluid Reasoning and Visual Spatial from the WISC?

Perceptual Reasoning Index is a broader measure that includes both fluid reasoning and visual-spatial skills within one index. The WISC-V separates these abilities into the Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI) and the Visual Spatial Index (VSI) to provide a more granular assessment of a child’s cognitive abilities.

What are the subtests for Visual Spatial Index?

Block Design: Replicates designs using coloured blocks
Visual Puzzles: Select pieces that when combined match a given visual pattern

What are the subtests for Fluid Reasoning?

Matrix Reasoning: Select missing piece from series of visual patterns
Figure Weights: Selects option to balance visual scale
Picture Concepts (Supplemental): Choose pictures that go together based on underlying concept
Arithmetic (Supplemental): Solves arithmetic problems

What are the five ancillary indexes of the WISC and what do they measure?

Quantitative Reasoning Index
Auditory Working Memory Index
Nonverbal Index
General Abilities Index
Cognitive Processing Index

What does the Quantitative Reasoning Index measure?

The Quantitative Reasoning Index focuses on numerical and quantitative reasoning skills

What does the Auditory Working Memory Index measure?

The Auditory Working Memory Index measures auditory working memory and manipulation of auditory information

What does the Non-Verbal Index measure?

The Non-Verbal Index measures nonverbal reasoning and spatial processing abilities.

What does the General Ability Index measure?

The General Ability Index estimates general intellectual ability with less emphasis on working memory and processing speed

What does the Cognitive Proficiency Index measure?

The Cognitive Proficiency Index evaluates the efficiency of cognitive processing particularly working memory and processing speed tasks.

What is the mean and standard deviation of the standard scores for FSIQ and Subtests

FSIQ: mean = 100, SD = 15 Subtests: mean = 10, SD = 3

What is an Average score for both the FSIQ and Subtest on the WAIS-IV and WISC-V

FSIQ: 90 - 109 Subtests: 8 - 10

For the WAIS-IV and WISC-V, what are the three above average descriptors and corresponding score ranges for FSIQ and subtests?

* Very Superior ○ FSIQ: 130 and above ○ Subtests: 16 - 19 * Superior ○ FSIQ: 120 - 129 ○ Subtests: 13 - 15 * High Average ○ FSIQ: 110 - 119 ○ Subtests: 11 - 12

For the WAIS-IV and WISC-V, what are the three below average descriptors and corresponding score ranges for FSIQ and subtests?

* Low Average ○ FSIQ: 80 - 89 ○ Subtests: 6 - 7 * Borderline ○ FSIQ: 70 - 79 ○ Subtests: 4 - 5 * Extremely Low ○ FSIQ: 69 and below ○ Subtests: 1 - 3

What is the difference between core and supplemental subtests

Core subtests are essential for calculating the main cognitive scores, while supplemental subtests offer flexibility and additional diagnostic information

When might a psychologist include supplemental subtests?

- Invalid Core Subtests - Obtain Additional Information - Confirming Suspected Strengths and Weaknesses - Comprehensive Assessment - Adaptive Test Needs e.g. motor impairment - Reassessment Purposes to reduce practice effect

What does an FSIQ score of 70 or below indicate?

A potential intellectual disability. Further observation / measures (e.g. ABAS-3) are required to confirm functional impact of cognitive impairment

How should a psychologist interpret results when the standardised index scores differ by more than 23 points (1.5 standard deviations)?

- The FSIQ should be interpreted with caution. - Look closely at individual index scores and identify strengths and weaknesses - Ancillary Indexes such as The General Ability Index can be used as an alternative to the FSIQ when large discrepancies between Working Memory Index and Processing Speed Index scores

Example Scenario: What are the functional implications and recommendations for high Verbal Comprehension and low Processing Speed?

Implications: The child may be verbally articulate and knowledgeable but might struggle with tasks requiring quick processing and visual-motor coordination. Recommendations: Allow extra time for tasks, reduce timed activities, and provide support for written assignments.

Example Scenario: What are the functional implications and recommendations for high Fluid Reasoning and low Working Memory?

Implications: The child may excel in problem-solving and abstract thinking but might have difficulty holding and manipulating information. Recommendations: Use strategies to support working memory, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps and using visual aids.

What would a profile for intellectual disability entail?

Consistently low scores across all indexes may indicate intellectual disability and an FSIQ of 70 or below. However, if there is a significant discrepancy with one or two indexes significantly lower than others, this could point to specific impairments rather than a global deficit.

What would a profile for learning disability entail?

Large discrepancies can be indicative of learning disabilities. For instance, if a child has a high Verbal Comprehension Index but a low Processing Speed Index, this might suggest a specific learning disability in areas that require quick information processing.

What would a profile for ADHD entail?

Typically an individual with ADHD scores lower on Working Memory and Processing Speed