WAIS Components and Subtests 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which WAIS-IV subtest contributes to the Full Scale IQ but is NOT part of any of the four primary index scores?
- Digit Span
- Symbol Search
- Figure Weights (Correct answer)
- Block Design
Correct answer: Figure Weights
Figure Weights is a core subtest used to derive the FSIQ but is not included in any of the four primary indexes (VCI, PRI, WMI, PSI) in WAIS-IV.
Question 2: In the WAIS-IV, 'Visual Puzzles' replaced which subtest from WAIS-III as a core Perceptual Reasoning measure?
- Object Assembly (Correct answer)
- Picture Arrangement
- Matrix Reasoning
- Comprehension
Correct answer: Object Assembly
Object Assembly from WAIS-III was replaced by Visual Puzzles in WAIS-IV as a core Perceptual Reasoning Index subtest.
Question 3: Which WAIS-IV subtest assesses a person's general fund of knowledge about common events, objects, places, and people?
- Comprehension
- Information (Correct answer)
- Similarities
- Vocabulary
Correct answer: Information
The Information subtest measures breadth of long-term knowledge about the world, reflecting crystallized intelligence and educational experience.
Question 4: The 'Digit Span Sequencing' condition added to WAIS-IV Digit Span requires the examinee to:
- Repeat digits in the exact order presented
- Repeat digits in reverse order
- Reorder digits from lowest to highest (Correct answer)
- Skip every other digit and repeat the rest
Correct answer: Reorder digits from lowest to highest
Digit Span Sequencing requires reordering a random string of digits into ascending numerical order, placing greater demand on working memory than simple repetition.
Question 5: Which pair of subtests forms the core of the Processing Speed Index (PSI) in WAIS-IV?
- Digit Span and Arithmetic
- Coding and Symbol Search (Correct answer)
- Block Design and Visual Puzzles
- Similarities and Vocabulary
Correct answer: Coding and Symbol Search
Coding and Symbol Search are the two core PSI subtests; both require rapid, accurate performance on simple visual-motor tasks under time pressure.
Question 6: What response format is used in the WAIS-IV 'Coding' subtest?
- Oral verbal responses
- Pointing to answer choices on a card
- Writing symbols paired with numbers using a key (Correct answer)
- Arranging physical blocks to match a pattern
Correct answer: Writing symbols paired with numbers using a key
In Coding, examinees use a pencil to write symbols that correspond to numbers according to a provided key, measuring graphomotor speed and processing speed.
Question 7: Which WAIS-IV subtest asks examinees to provide definitions for words presented orally and in print?
- Information
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary (Correct answer)
- Similarities
Correct answer: Vocabulary
Vocabulary requires examinees to define words, measuring word knowledge, verbal concept formation, and crystallized intelligence.
WAIS Components and Subtests 3
Which WAIS-IV subtest contributes to the Full Scale IQ but is NOT part of any of the four primary index scores?