WAIS Cognitive Domains 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which WAIS-IV subtest requires examinees to identify a missing piece that completes an abstract visual pattern?
- Symbol Search
- Matrix Reasoning (Correct answer)
- Coding
- Letter-Number Sequencing
Correct answer: Matrix Reasoning
Matrix Reasoning presents incomplete visual matrices and requires the examinee to select the piece that logically completes the pattern.
Question 2: The General Ability Index (GAI) on the WAIS-IV is composed of which two index scores?
- Working Memory and Processing Speed
- Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning (Correct answer)
- Perceptual Reasoning and Processing Speed
- Verbal Comprehension and Working Memory
Correct answer: Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning
The GAI combines Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning, excluding Working Memory and Processing Speed, to provide a less memory- and speed-dependent estimate of ability.
Question 3: Which domain of intelligence assessed by the WAIS corresponds most closely to Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory's concept of 'Gf' or fluid intelligence?
- Verbal Comprehension
- Processing Speed
- Working Memory
- Perceptual Reasoning (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Perceptual Reasoning
Perceptual Reasoning measures fluid intelligence (Gf), reflecting the ability to solve novel problems without relying on prior knowledge.
Question 4: A client with a traumatic brain injury is expected to show the greatest decline on which WAIS-IV cognitive domain?
- Verbal Comprehension
- General Ability
- Processing Speed (Correct answer)
- Crystallized Knowledge
Correct answer: Processing Speed
Processing Speed is among the most vulnerable cognitive domains after TBI, as it requires intact attentional control, motor speed, and rapid decision-making.
Question 5: Which WAIS-IV subtest asks the examinee to define words provided by the examiner?
- Comprehension
- Information
- Vocabulary (Correct answer)
- Similarities
Correct answer: Vocabulary
The Vocabulary subtest requires verbal definitions of words, measuring word knowledge and verbal concept formation within the Verbal Comprehension domain.
Question 6: When an examiner notes that a client performs well on verbal tasks but struggles with timed visual tasks, the most likely profile involves a discrepancy between:
- VCI and WMI
- WMI and PSI
- VCI and PSI (Correct answer)
- PRI and WMI
Correct answer: VCI and PSI
A VCI–PSI discrepancy reflects the contrast between untimed verbal reasoning strength and impaired timed visual performance.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the cognitive demand of the Arithmetic subtest on the WAIS-IV?
- Pure long-term memory retrieval
- Mental calculation requiring working memory (Correct answer)
- Spatial visualization with numbers
- Processing speed under numerical load
Correct answer: Mental calculation requiring working memory
Arithmetic requires mental math performed without paper, placing demands on working memory and numerical reasoning simultaneously.
WAIS Cognitive Domains 3
Which WAIS-IV subtest requires examinees to identify a missing piece that completes an abstract visual pattern?