Wechsler Intelligence Scale Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A large drop from immediate to delayed Logical Memory recall may suggest a problem with:

Visual acuity
Fine motor control
Articulation of speech
Consolidation or retention of new memories (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Consolidation or retention of new memories

Poor retention across the delay points to consolidation/retention difficulty.

Question 2: What does the acronym WPPSI stand for?

Wechsler Preschool Performance and Standardized Intelligence
Wechsler Psychoeducational Performance Scale of Intelligence
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (Correct answer)
Wechsler Primary and Preschool Standard Intelligence

Correct answer: Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence

WPPSI stands for Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, designed for young children.

Question 3: In the sequence 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, what is the next number?

23 (Correct answer)
22
24
21

Correct answer: 23

The gaps increase by one each time (2,3,4,5,6), so 17 plus 6 equals 23.

Question 4: Which Working Memory Index subtest is considered the primary, while Letter-Number Sequencing is secondary?

Coding
Arithmetic
Digit Span (Correct answer)
Picture Span

Correct answer: Digit Span

Digit Span and Picture Span are the primary Working Memory subtests, while Letter-Number Sequencing is secondary.

Question 5: In Figure Weights, a triangle balances two diamonds, and a diamond balances two dots. How many dots balance one triangle?

Four (Correct answer)
Three
Six
Two

Correct answer: Four

One triangle equals two diamonds, and each diamond equals two dots, giving four dots.

Question 6: In a WAIS-IV administration, what is the examiner required to do if a child provides a zero-point response that might be upgraded with further questioning?

Skip to the next subtest immediately
Query the response using standard query prompts to elicit a more complete response (Correct answer)
Record the response as-is and move on
Provide the correct answer as encouragement

Correct answer: Query the response using standard query prompts to elicit a more complete response

When a response is ambiguous or may be upgradeable, the examiner must query using standardized prompts (e.g., 'Tell me more about that') to determine if the examinee can provide a scorable response.

Question 7: Which factor could artificially lower a Verbal Comprehension score without reflecting true ability?

Extensive vocabulary
Limited English proficiency or hearing impairment (Correct answer)
Strong reading skills
High motivation

Correct answer: Limited English proficiency or hearing impairment

Language barriers or hearing loss can depress VCI scores independent of true ability.

Question 8: Why are WMI subtests typically administered without visual aids or writing tools?

To reduce examiner effort
To ensure the information is held and processed mentally (Correct answer)
To save testing time
To make the test easier

Correct answer: To ensure the information is held and processed mentally

Removing external aids ensures the task measures internal working-memory capacity.

Question 9: A student obtains a significantly higher Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) score compared to their Processing Speed Index (PSI) score. Which of the following is the MOST likely interpretation of this discrepancy?

The student's fluid reasoning abilities are underdeveloped compared to their vocabulary.
The student likely has a hearing impairment that affects verbal tasks but not visual ones.
The student has a strength in crystallized knowledge but struggles with tasks requiring rapid visual-motor output. (Correct answer)
The student excels at hands-on problem solving but has difficulty with abstract verbal concepts.

Correct answer: The student has a strength in crystallized knowledge but struggles with tasks requiring rapid visual-motor output.

A VCI > PSI discrepancy indicates that the student's ability to use acquired verbal knowledge and reasoning (crystallized intelligence) is stronger than their ability to quickly and accurately perform tasks involving visual scanning and motor speed. This pattern can mean that while the student may 'know' the material, they may struggle to demonstrate that knowledge on timed tasks, especially those requiring writing or quick visual decisions.

Question 10: For which diagnostic question is it most appropriate to administer both the WIAT-4 Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension subtests together?

Assessing memory for narrative content
Evaluating written expression skills
Identifying phonological processing deficits
Differentiating a specific reading comprehension deficit from a more general language comprehension deficit (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Differentiating a specific reading comprehension deficit from a more general language comprehension deficit

Comparing Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension scores differentiates reading-specific comprehension deficits (poor reading but good listening comprehension) from general language comprehension deficits (poor in both modalities).

Question 11: Which sentence shows correct subject-verb agreement?

The list of items were on the desk.
The list of items is on the desk. (Correct answer)
The list of items be on the desk.
The list of items are on the desk.

Correct answer: The list of items is on the desk.

The singular subject 'list' takes the singular verb 'is.'

Question 12: Why are raw scores on Wechsler subtests converted to scaled scores before interpretation?

To adjust for the examinee's age group (Correct answer)
To eliminate reliability
To increase test length
To remove the need for norms

Correct answer: To adjust for the examinee's age group

Raw scores are converted to age-based scaled scores so performance can be compared to same-age peers.

Question 13: When administering Wechsler tests to individuals who are blind or have severe visual impairments, which adaptation is most appropriate?

Substitute the Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability
Administer only the Coding and Symbol Search subtests in large print
Focus on verbally-administered subtests and use tactile alternatives where available, omitting subtests requiring vision (Correct answer)
Administer the complete standard battery with no modifications

Correct answer: Focus on verbally-administered subtests and use tactile alternatives where available, omitting subtests requiring vision

For individuals with severe visual impairment, only auditory/verbal subtests can be validly administered; visual subtests should be omitted with notation of limitations, and scores should be interpreted using available verbal composites only.

Question 14: A Processing Speed Index of 70 places an examinee in which classification?

Borderline / Extremely Low boundary (Correct answer)
Average
Low Average
High Average

Correct answer: Borderline / Extremely Low boundary

A score of 70 sits at the boundary between Borderline and Extremely Low, two standard deviations below the mean.

Question 15: Which factor could artificially lower a Visual Reproduction score without indicating a memory problem?

Strong vocabulary
Good sleep
Poor fine-motor or drawing ability (Correct answer)
High motivation

Correct answer: Poor fine-motor or drawing ability

Because the task requires drawing, motor difficulties can reduce scores independent of memory.

Question 16: When interpreting the Wechsler scales, a significant discrepancy between the General Ability Index (GAI) and the Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), where the GAI is significantly higher, often points to a relative weakness in which two areas?

Verbal Comprehension and Visual Spatial reasoning
Working Memory and Processing Speed (Correct answer)
Fluid Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning
Long-term memory and verbal expression

Correct answer: Working Memory and Processing Speed

The General Ability Index (GAI) is calculated from the Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual/Visual Spatial/Fluid Reasoning subtests. It is designed to be a measure of cognitive abilities that are less reliant on working memory and processing speed. Therefore, when the FSIQ (which includes all indices) is lower than the GAI, it suggests that weaknesses in Working Memory and/or Processing Speed are pulling the overall score down.

Question 17: The Cancellation subtest on the WPPSI-IV is a supplemental measure for which primary index?

Fluid Reasoning Index
Working Memory Index
Visual Spatial Index
Processing Speed Index (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Processing Speed Index

Cancellation is a supplemental Processing Speed subtest in which the child scans a structured array and marks target animals as quickly as possible.

Question 18: What is the primary difference between the WISC-V and the WPPSI-IV regarding intended population?

The WISC-V uses only nonverbal tasks; the WPPSI-IV uses only verbal tasks
The WISC-V is normed for ages 6–16; the WPPSI-IV is normed for ages 2:6–7:7 (Correct answer)
The WISC-V is for gifted children; the WPPSI-IV is for children with disabilities
The WISC-V measures academic achievement; the WPPSI-IV measures intelligence

Correct answer: The WISC-V is normed for ages 6–16; the WPPSI-IV is normed for ages 2:6–7:7

The WISC-V targets children aged 6:0–16:11, while the WPPSI-IV is designed for younger children aged 2:6–7:7, with an overlapping age range of 6:0–7:7 to allow for developmental considerations.

Question 19: WMS-IV is co-normed with which intelligence test to allow ability-memory comparisons?

MMPI-2
WAIS-IV (Correct answer)
Stanford-Binet 5
Raven's Matrices

Correct answer: WAIS-IV

WMS-IV is co-normed with the WAIS-IV, enabling comparison between IQ and memory.

Question 20: Processing speed tends to show what pattern across the adult lifespan?

It generally declines with advancing age (Correct answer)
It steadily increases with age
It remains perfectly constant
It is unrelated to age

Correct answer: It generally declines with advancing age

Processing speed typically declines with older age, one of the more age-sensitive abilities.

Question 21: On the WAIS-IV and WISC-V, the Full Scale IQ has a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of what value?

16
10
20
15 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 15

Wechsler scales use a Full Scale IQ mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.

Question 22: An FSIQ of 120 to 129 is typically labeled as which classification?

Average
High Average
Superior (Correct answer)
Very Superior

Correct answer: Superior

The 120–129 range is classified as Superior on Wechsler scales.

Question 23: When a gas is heated, its particles travel _____ more than when it is cold.

Fast
Fastest
As fast
Faster (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Faster

The phrase 'more than' indicates a comparison between two states (when a gas is heated versus when it is cold). Therefore, a comparative adjective is required to describe how the particles travel. 'Faster' is the correct comparative form of the adjective 'fast', making it the appropriate choice for this comparison.

Question 24: When using Wechsler tests with English language learners (ELLs), what is the most significant threat to score validity?

Verbal subtests measure English language proficiency rather than underlying cognitive ability, confounding language skill with intelligence (Correct answer)
Wechsler tests are prohibited for use with ELLs by federal law
Processing speed is unaffected by language background
ELLs always score higher than native English speakers on verbal subtests

Correct answer: Verbal subtests measure English language proficiency rather than underlying cognitive ability, confounding language skill with intelligence

For ELLs, verbal Wechsler subtests assess English language ability rather than native verbal cognitive ability, potentially leading to underestimation of true verbal intelligence and distorted composite scores.

Question 25: Which WPPSI-IV ancillary composite emphasizes higher-level reasoning while minimizing the influence of working memory and processing speed?

Full Scale IQ
Nonverbal Index
General Ability Index (Correct answer)
Cognitive Proficiency Index

Correct answer: General Ability Index

The General Ability Index (GAI) is derived from verbal and reasoning subtests, paralleling the GAI found on the WISC-V by de-emphasizing processing efficiency.

Question 26: In a report, why should raw scores generally NOT be presented as primary results to non-specialist readers?

They are meaningless without norm-based conversion (Correct answer)
They are confidential
They are always inaccurate
They violate copyright

Correct answer: They are meaningless without norm-based conversion

Raw scores have no interpretive meaning until converted to standardized scores using age-based norms.

Question 27: The Verbal Comprehension subtests together are considered strong measures of which broad ability?

Visual processing (Gv)
Crystallized intelligence (Gc) (Correct answer)
Processing speed (Gs)
Short-term memory (Gsm)

Correct answer: Crystallized intelligence (Gc)

VCI subtests align with crystallized intelligence, or accumulated verbal knowledge.

Question 28: In the following questions, what should be entered in lieu of the question mark (?)? 3 1/6 + 4 1/2 − 2 2/3 − 1 11/12 =?

1 7/12
1 5/12
3 1/12 (Correct answer)
3 7/12

Correct answer: 3 1/12

To evaluate the expression with the given interchanges, apply the changes to option D: 5 x 4 + 20 = 104. The interchanges are '+' with 'x' and '4' with '5'. Applying these, the expression becomes 4 + 5 x 20. Following the order of operations, calculate 5 x 20 = 100, then add 4 + 100 = 104. This result matches the right side of the equation in option D.

Question 29: A clinical psychologist is selecting subtests to form a comprehensive picture of a child's non-verbal reasoning abilities. To assess both visual-spatial construction and fluid-inductive reasoning, which pair of subtests would be most appropriate?

Digit Span and Coding
Vocabulary and Similarities
Picture Span and Symbol Search
Block Design and Figure Weights (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Block Design and Figure Weights

Block Design is a primary measure of visual-spatial ability, requiring analysis of spatial relationships and construction of a design. Figure Weights is a primary measure of fluid reasoning, specifically quantitative and inductive reasoning. This combination provides a strong assessment of both distinct, yet related, non-verbal domains.

Question 30: Why must examiners follow the prescribed subtest order unless a documented exception applies?

It alternates verbal and performance tasks to maintain engagement and validity (Correct answer)
Order has no effect on results
It always lists the easiest subtests first
It lets the examiner finish faster

Correct answer: It alternates verbal and performance tasks to maintain engagement and validity

The standardized sequence alternates task types to sustain motivation and matches the conditions under which norms were established.

Question 31: Which consideration is MOST important when interpreting Wechsler performance in an individual who was administered the test through a sign language interpreter?

The administration is non-standard and scores must be interpreted with caution, acknowledging that normative comparisons may not be valid (Correct answer)
Sign language interpretation has no effect on test standardization
The Nonverbal Index automatically becomes invalid when interpreters are used
Only the Processing Speed Index is affected by interpreter-mediated testing

Correct answer: The administration is non-standard and scores must be interpreted with caution, acknowledging that normative comparisons may not be valid

Using an interpreter represents a non-standard administration that deviates from the normative procedure, requiring explicit documentation and cautious interpretation, as the norms were established without interpreter mediation.

Question 32: In what year was the WPPSI-IV published?

2002
2012 (Correct answer)
2008
2015

Correct answer: 2012

The WPPSI-IV was published in 2012, replacing the WPPSI-III which had been released in 2002.

Question 33: Which WMS-IV subtest measures the ability to hold and recall a sequence of visual symbols in order?

Symbol Span (Correct answer)
Designs I
Spatial Addition
Visual Reproduction I

Correct answer: Symbol Span

Symbol Span requires the examinee to view a sequence of novel symbols and then identify them in the correct order from a larger array, measuring visual symbolic span and working memory.

Question 34: What does a 90% confidence interval around a Full Scale IQ communicate?

The exact true score
The reliability coefficient
The examinee's raw score range
A range likely to contain the true score (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A range likely to contain the true score

A confidence interval gives a band of scores within which the examinee's true score most likely falls.

Question 35: Which classification label typically corresponds to a Wechsler FSIQ of 90–109?

Average (Correct answer)
Low Average
Borderline
Superior

Correct answer: Average

Scores from 90 to 109 fall in the Average classification range.

Question 36: A Figure Weights problem shows two circles balancing one square. How many circles balance three squares?

Nine
Two
Three
Six (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Six

Since one square equals two circles, three squares equal six circles.

Question 37: In a Wechsler report, how should the examiner address contradictory findings between test scores and behavioral reports from parents or teachers?

Always defer to test scores over behavioral reports
Discard the contradictory behavioral reports and rely solely on objective test data
Acknowledge the discrepancy, discuss possible explanations, and integrate both sources into a nuanced clinical picture (Correct answer)
Conclude that the behavioral informants are inaccurate and note this in the report

Correct answer: Acknowledge the discrepancy, discuss possible explanations, and integrate both sources into a nuanced clinical picture

Contradictory findings should be acknowledged and analyzed rather than dismissed; possible explanations (situational factors, state vs. trait differences, rater bias) should be explored and both data sources integrated into the overall clinical interpretation.

Question 38: What is the next number in the sequence 1, 4, 9, 16, ___?

20
21
24
25 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 25

These are perfect squares, so the next is 5 squared, which is 25.

Question 39: Which revision best improves this sentence: 'The team they won the game'?

The team they wins the game.
The team they have won game the.
The team won the game. (Correct answer)
Team they won game.

Correct answer: The team won the game.

Removing the redundant pronoun 'they' fixes the double subject.

Question 40: Recognition trials in WMS-IV help distinguish between problems with:

Reading versus writing
Vision versus hearing
Attention versus mood
Encoding versus retrieval (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Encoding versus retrieval

If recognition is better than free recall, the issue is more retrieval than encoding.

Question 41: When administering the WISC-V, which rule determines the stopping point within a subtest?

Ceiling rule
Discontinue rule (Correct answer)
Basal rule
Reverse rule

Correct answer: Discontinue rule

The discontinue rule specifies the number of consecutive scores of zero (or incorrect responses) after which testing should stop within a subtest, preventing unnecessary frustration.

Question 42: When reporting Wechsler results to non-psychologist stakeholders (e.g., parents, teachers), which approach is recommended?

Use classification labels and plain-language descriptions instead of, or alongside, numerical scores (Correct answer)
Provide only the FSIQ number without any contextual information
Avoid all numerical data and describe only behavioral observations
Report only scaled scores for each subtest

Correct answer: Use classification labels and plain-language descriptions instead of, or alongside, numerical scores

For non-psychologist audiences, using classification labels (e.g., 'Average,' 'Below Average') and plain-language explanations of what scores mean in practical terms is recommended alongside numerical scores.

Question 43: The WMS-IV Logical Memory II Recognition task uses which format?

Cued recall with category prompts
Free recall of story details in any order
Yes/no recognition for story details presented as statements (Correct answer)
Multiple choice questions about story content

Correct answer: Yes/no recognition for story details presented as statements

Logical Memory II Recognition presents statements about story content, and the examinee answers yes or no to indicate whether each detail was part of the original story, measuring recognition memory for narrative details.

Question 44: Releasing raw Wechsler test data to an unqualified third party is generally:

Required by all courts
Encouraged for transparency
Restricted to protect test security and prevent misuse (Correct answer)
Standard practice

Correct answer: Restricted to protect test security and prevent misuse

Raw test data and materials are protected to maintain test security and prevent misinterpretation by unqualified parties.

Question 45: Arithmetic on the WISC-V contributes to which cognitive domain when used as a secondary measure?

Working Memory and Fluid Reasoning (Correct answer)
Processing Speed
Visual Spatial only
Verbal Comprehension only

Correct answer: Working Memory and Fluid Reasoning

Arithmetic involves mental computation under time pressure and loads on working memory and quantitative reasoning.

Question 46: In WISC-V, Verbal Comprehension Index is derived primarily from which two subtests?

Similarities and Vocabulary (Correct answer)
Digit Span and Picture Span
Block Design and Visual Puzzles
Coding and Symbol Search

Correct answer: Similarities and Vocabulary

In WISC-V, VCI is calculated from Similarities and Vocabulary.

Question 47: A General Ability Index (GAI) is most useful when which factors are notably low?

Working Memory and Processing Speed (Correct answer)
Verbal Comprehension and Fluid Reasoning
All indexes equally
Only the Full Scale IQ

Correct answer: Working Memory and Processing Speed

The GAI minimizes the influence of working memory and processing speed, useful when those are depressed.

Question 48: Within an ability-achievement discrepancy model, a learning disability is suggested when:

Achievement is significantly below predicted ability (Correct answer)
Achievement matches ability exactly
Both scores are average
Achievement exceeds ability

Correct answer: Achievement is significantly below predicted ability

A significant gap with achievement below expected ability can indicate a learning disability.

Question 49: On the WISC-V, which index reflects fluid reasoning with novel visual problems?

Working Memory Index
Processing Speed Index
Fluid Reasoning Index (Correct answer)
Verbal Comprehension Index

Correct answer: Fluid Reasoning Index

The Fluid Reasoning Index measures the ability to solve novel problems using inductive and quantitative reasoning.

Question 50: What is the 'Flynn Effect' and why is it relevant to Wechsler score interpretation in re-evaluations?

The difference in IQ scores between urban and rural populations
The tendency for IQ scores to decrease with aging, leading to underestimation of prior ability
The effect of repeated testing on improving IQ scores through practice
The documented rise in population IQ scores over time, meaning older norms produce higher scores for the same performance (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The documented rise in population IQ scores over time, meaning older norms produce higher scores for the same performance

The Flynn Effect is the documented secular rise in IQ scores (~3 points per decade) that means older test norms tend to yield higher scores than newer norms for identical performance, with implications for comparisons across test editions.

Question 51: A school psychologist finds that a student's WISC-V FSIQ score is highly correlated with their scores on a nationally standardized achievement test administered during the same week. This finding provides strong evidence for the WISC-V's:

Test-retest reliability
Content validity
Concurrent validity (Correct answer)
Internal consistency

Correct answer: Concurrent validity

Concurrent validity, a form of criterion-related validity, is demonstrated when scores from a test are significantly correlated with scores from a relevant, established measure administered at approximately the same time. The strong correlation between the WISC-V (an intelligence test) and an achievement test supports the idea that the WISC-V is measuring cognitive abilities related to current academic performance. [24, 33]

Question 52: What does it mean when two index scores show a statistically significant difference?

The difference is likely due to chance
The test is invalid
The difference is unlikely due to measurement error alone (Correct answer)
The examinee guessed

Correct answer: The difference is unlikely due to measurement error alone

A statistically significant difference is unlikely to result from measurement error and reflects a real discrepancy.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale Test

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale Test exam validates essential knowledge and skills required for certification or licensure in this field.

Questions

75 min

Time Limit

70%

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