Wechsler Verbal Comprehension Subtests Flashcards

Which subtest would be LEAST affected if an examinee has strong crystallized knowledge but weak abstract reasoning?

Answer: Information

Information relies on stored facts rather than abstract reasoning, so it stays strong.

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

Answer: Crystallized intelligence (Gc)

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

Why is Vocabulary often one of the most reliable and 'g-loaded' subtests in the Wechsler scales?

Answer: It strongly correlates with overall intelligence and is stable over time

Vocabulary has high g-loading and reliability, correlating well with full-scale IQ.

An examinee who does poorly on Comprehension but well on Information likely struggles with:

Answer: Applying knowledge to reasoning and social judgment situations

Comprehension needs applied reasoning, unlike the fact recall of Information.

If an examinee reaches the discontinue rule on a Verbal Comprehension subtest, it means:

Answer: They gave a set number of consecutive incorrect responses, so testing on that subtest stops

Discontinue rules stop a subtest after a specified number of consecutive failures.

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

Answer: Limited English proficiency or hearing impairment

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

Substituting Comprehension for a core subtest on the VCI is allowed primarily to:

Answer: Provide a valid index when a core subtest is spoiled or invalid

Supplemental subtests can replace a spoiled core subtest to preserve index validity.