WISC-IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for
Children - 4th Edition)
What x5 INDEX SCORES does the WISC-IV give you? - Answer-1. Fullscale IQ (FSIQ)
2. Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI; a measure of verbal reasoning, comprehension and expression)
3. Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI; a measure of fluid reasoning (problem solving) without the influence
of speed or motor performance)
4. Working Memory Index (WMI; a measure of the ability to hold information in mind temporarily, to
perform some operation on in to produce a correct result)
5. Processing Speed Index (PSI; a measure of response speed)
What is the mean and SD of scores on the WISC-IV? - Answer-M = 100
SD = 15
VCI - Answer-Verbal Comprehension Index
PRI - Answer-Perceptual Reasoning Index
, WMI - Answer-Working Memory Index
PSI - Answer-Processing Speed Index
When/Why is the WISC-IV often employed? - Answer-As part of an intellectual assessment of the child,
for placement in special classes in schools, as a part of an assessment of "developmental disability".
The main use of intelligence tests, like the WISC, is to examine the child's cognitive strengths and
weaknesses, often with a view to determining what cognitive processes might be involved in poor
performance at school.
What is important to remember when interpreting test performance on the WISC-IV? - Answer-The
kinds of cognitive skills that are being measured
What high and low scores on the subtests actually mean in practical terms
Eg, the Word Reasoning subtest requires the child to identify the common concept being described in a
series of clues
e.g., "This is something you use to wash with. What is it? This is something you use to wash with and it
comes out of a tap. What is it?"
This task measures Gc (Crystallized intelligence; broad CHC ability), Lexical knowledge (VL; narrow CHC
ability) and Inductive reasoning (I; narrow CHC ability).
Low scores on this subtest could be attributed to poor verbal comprehension, poor language
development, and poor concept formation. Performance on this task may be affected by extent and
quality of schooling, interests and reading patterns, and cultural opportunities.
How might you formulate recommendations that may help that child in a classroom situation based on
the WISC-IV? - Answer-Think about the component processes involved in the task
Children - 4th Edition)
What x5 INDEX SCORES does the WISC-IV give you? - Answer-1. Fullscale IQ (FSIQ)
2. Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI; a measure of verbal reasoning, comprehension and expression)
3. Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI; a measure of fluid reasoning (problem solving) without the influence
of speed or motor performance)
4. Working Memory Index (WMI; a measure of the ability to hold information in mind temporarily, to
perform some operation on in to produce a correct result)
5. Processing Speed Index (PSI; a measure of response speed)
What is the mean and SD of scores on the WISC-IV? - Answer-M = 100
SD = 15
VCI - Answer-Verbal Comprehension Index
PRI - Answer-Perceptual Reasoning Index
, WMI - Answer-Working Memory Index
PSI - Answer-Processing Speed Index
When/Why is the WISC-IV often employed? - Answer-As part of an intellectual assessment of the child,
for placement in special classes in schools, as a part of an assessment of "developmental disability".
The main use of intelligence tests, like the WISC, is to examine the child's cognitive strengths and
weaknesses, often with a view to determining what cognitive processes might be involved in poor
performance at school.
What is important to remember when interpreting test performance on the WISC-IV? - Answer-The
kinds of cognitive skills that are being measured
What high and low scores on the subtests actually mean in practical terms
Eg, the Word Reasoning subtest requires the child to identify the common concept being described in a
series of clues
e.g., "This is something you use to wash with. What is it? This is something you use to wash with and it
comes out of a tap. What is it?"
This task measures Gc (Crystallized intelligence; broad CHC ability), Lexical knowledge (VL; narrow CHC
ability) and Inductive reasoning (I; narrow CHC ability).
Low scores on this subtest could be attributed to poor verbal comprehension, poor language
development, and poor concept formation. Performance on this task may be affected by extent and
quality of schooling, interests and reading patterns, and cultural opportunities.
How might you formulate recommendations that may help that child in a classroom situation based on
the WISC-IV? - Answer-Think about the component processes involved in the task
