WPPSI - Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Subtest Substitution Guidelines Questions and Answers

Question 1

When calculating the Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) for a 6-year-old child using the WPPSI-IV, what is the maximum number of core subtest substitutions permitted?

Accepted Answer

Two

Answer

For the WPPSI-IV age band 4:0-7:7, a maximum of two substitutions from supplemental subtests are permitted for deriving the FSIQ. However, a critical rule is that only one substitution can be made per index.

Question 2

An examiner is assessing a 5-year-old child. During the administration of the Information subtest, a significant interruption invalidates the results. To derive the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), which of the following is the appropriate designated substitute subtest?

Accepted Answer

Vocabulary

Answer

For the 4:0-7:7 age band, Vocabulary is the designated supplemental subtest that can be used to substitute for either of the core VCI subtests, which are Information and Similarities.

Question 3

An examiner invalidates the Bug Search subtest for a 7-year-old and substitutes it with Cancellation to derive the Processing Speed Index (PSI). Later, the Animal Coding subtest is also spoiled. Why is the examiner prohibited from substituting another subtest for Animal Coding to calculate the PSI?

Accepted Answer

Only one substitution is permitted per index score.

Answer

A fundamental guideline for the WPPSI-IV is that a maximum of one substitution is allowed to derive any specific primary index score. Since one substitution has already been made for the PSI, a second one is not permissible.

Question 4

According to standard WPPSI-IV guidelines, which of the following is NOT considered a valid reason to substitute a core subtest?

Accepted Answer

The examiner believes the supplemental subtest better reflects the child's ability.

Answer

Substitution should only occur when a core subtest is invalidated or when specific, documented child characteristics (e.g., physical or language impairment) make the core subtest inappropriate. Substituting based on an examiner's belief that a child will perform better or that it is a 'better estimate' without a standard, valid reason violates standardized procedure.

Question 5

A key difference in the FSIQ substitution rules between the two WPPSI-IV age bands is the total number of substitutions allowed. For a child in the younger age band (2:6-3:11), what is the maximum number of substitutions permitted to calculate the FSIQ?

Accepted Answer

One

Answer

The substitution rules for the FSIQ are more restrictive for the younger age band (2:6-3:11). Only one core subtest substitution is permitted when deriving the FSIQ, in contrast to the two allowed for the 4:0-7:7 age band.

WPPSI - Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Practice Test

WPPSI - Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Practice Test

WPPSI - Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Subtest Substitution Guidelines Questions and Answers