NCED Cognitive Assessment & Intelligence Testing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which intelligence test provides composite scores for Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed?
- Stanford-Binet 5
- WISC-V (Correct answer)
- Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities
- Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children
Correct answer: WISC-V
The WISC-V measures five primary index scores: Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed.
Question 2: What does the Flynn Effect suggest about IQ scores over successive generations?
- IQ scores have remained stable across generations
- IQ scores have decreased over the past century
- IQ scores have increased over successive generations (Correct answer)
- IQ scores are culturally biased and clinically invalid
Correct answer: IQ scores have increased over successive generations
The Flynn Effect refers to the observed rise in IQ test scores over successive generations, which requires periodic renorming of intelligence tests to maintain accurate norms.
Question 3: According to Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory, which broad ability involves holding and actively manipulating information in immediate awareness?
- Crystallized Intelligence (Gc)
- Fluid Intelligence (Gf)
- Short-Term Memory (Gsm) (Correct answer)
- Long-Term Storage and Retrieval (Glr)
Correct answer: Short-Term Memory (Gsm)
Short-Term Memory (Gsm), particularly the Working Memory narrow ability, involves actively holding and transforming information in immediate awareness.
Question 4: When a student's WISC-V Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) is 125 and Processing Speed Index (PSI) is 85, what is the most appropriate next step?
- Report only the Full Scale IQ as the primary summary score
- Investigate whether the FSIQ is a valid unitary summary given the large discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Disregard the PSI as irrelevant to academic performance
- Re-administer all subtests after 30 days
Correct answer: Investigate whether the FSIQ is a valid unitary summary given the large discrepancy
When significant discrepancies exist between index scores, the FSIQ may not represent a unitary construct, and the diagnostician should evaluate alternative composite scores.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a Base Rate analysis when interpreting WISC-V index scores?
- To calculate the confidence interval for the Full Scale IQ
- To identify how commonly a given score pattern occurs in the normative sample (Correct answer)
- To determine whether individual subtest scores are statistically reliable
- To compare scores across different normative age groups
Correct answer: To identify how commonly a given score pattern occurs in the normative sample
Base Rate analysis examines how frequently a particular pattern of scores occurs in the normative sample, helping determine whether score variability is clinically significant.
Question 6: The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition (SB5) differs from the WISC-V primarily in that it:
- Does not measure fluid reasoning abilities
- Extends the age range from 2 years through 85+ years (Correct answer)
- Provides only verbal intelligence measures
- Does not include a working memory component
Correct answer: Extends the age range from 2 years through 85+ years
The SB5 covers a much broader age range (2 to 85+ years) compared to the WISC-V, which is designed for children and adolescents ages 6 to 16.
Question 7: According to CHC theory, which broad ability is most closely associated with quickly and accurately performing simple, overlearned cognitive tasks?
- Long-Term Storage and Retrieval (Glr)
- Fluid Intelligence (Gf)
- Processing Speed (Gs) (Correct answer)
- Crystallized Intelligence (Gc)
Correct answer: Processing Speed (Gs)
Processing Speed (Gs) reflects the capacity to automatically and fluently perform relatively easy cognitive tasks quickly and efficiently under pressure.
NCED Cognitive Assessment & Intelligence Testing 1
Which intelligence test provides composite scores for Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed?