WAIS FSIQ and GAI Interpretation 2

Question 1

When a clinician calculates the GAI instead of the FSIQ, which two index scores are intentionally excluded?

Accepted Answer

WMI and PSI

Answer

The GAI is derived from the VCI and PRI only, deliberately omitting Working Memory Index and Processing Speed Index scores.

Question 2

A GAI that is significantly higher than the FSIQ most commonly suggests that the examinee has relative weaknesses in:

Accepted Answer

Working memory and processing speed

Answer

When GAI > FSIQ by a meaningful amount, it indicates that working memory and/or processing speed are dragging the full-scale score down.

Question 3

On the WAIS-IV, what is the lowest possible FSIQ score that can be reported?

Accepted Answer

40

Answer

The WAIS-IV FSIQ has a floor of 40, meaning scores below 40 are not reliably differentiated by the test.

Question 4

Which statistical concept explains why a very high or very low FSIQ score is likely to be closer to the population mean upon retesting?

Accepted Answer

Regression to the mean

Answer

Regression to the mean describes the statistical tendency for extreme scores to move closer to the population average on re-examination.

Question 5

A clinician interprets an FSIQ of 85 as falling in the 'Low Average' classification. What percentile rank does this score correspond to approximately?

Accepted Answer

16th percentile

Answer

An FSIQ of 85 is one standard deviation below the mean of 100 and corresponds to approximately the 16th percentile.

(WAIS) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Practice Test

(WAIS) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Practice Test

WAIS FSIQ and GAI Interpretation 2