Wechsler Test Cognitive Assessment in Special Populations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Wechsler version is specifically designed for the youngest special-population assessments (ages 2:6–7:7)?
- WAIS-IV
- WISC-V
- WPPSI-IV (Correct answer)
- WMS-IV
Correct answer: WPPSI-IV
The WPPSI-IV covers preschool and early primary ages, useful for early developmental concerns.
Question 2: An examinee with ADHD shows scattered subtest scores. The clinician should:
- Interpret only the Full Scale IQ
- Examine index and subtest patterns for attention-related weaknesses (Correct answer)
- Repeat the test immediately
- Assume the FSIQ is invalid by default
Correct answer: Examine index and subtest patterns for attention-related weaknesses
Profile analysis of indices (e.g., working memory, processing speed) can reveal attention-related difficulties.
Question 3: For a gifted child, a possible measurement concern on standard subtests is:
- Floor effects
- Ceiling effects limiting how high ability can be measured (Correct answer)
- Excessive motor demand
- Language barriers
Correct answer: Ceiling effects limiting how high ability can be measured
Ceiling effects occur when items are too easy to capture the full extent of high ability.
Question 4: When assessing a child on the autism spectrum, rapport and clear structure matter because:
- They guarantee a higher IQ
- Social/communication differences can affect engagement and performance (Correct answer)
- Norms are different
- Timing is irrelevant
Correct answer: Social/communication differences can affect engagement and performance
Communication and social differences can depress scores if engagement is not supported.
Question 5: A traumatic brain injury patient is best served by pairing the WAIS-IV with:
- No additional measures
- Memory and executive function tests like the WMS-IV (Correct answer)
- A vocabulary list only
- A reading screener alone
Correct answer: Memory and executive function tests like the WMS-IV
Co-administering memory and executive measures gives a fuller neuropsychological picture after TBI.
Question 6: Which factor most threatens validity when testing a fatigued or medicated examinee?
- Improved attention
- State variables reducing performance below true ability (Correct answer)
- Higher motivation
- Better processing speed
- Norm inflation
Correct answer: State variables reducing performance below true ability
Fatigue or sedation can lower scores so they underestimate true cognitive ability.
Question 7: Cross-battery assessment in special populations is used to:
- Replace all Wechsler norms
- Integrate subtests from multiple tests to cover specific cognitive abilities (Correct answer)
- Avoid documentation
- Eliminate the need for interpretation
Correct answer: Integrate subtests from multiple tests to cover specific cognitive abilities
Cross-battery approaches combine measures to assess targeted abilities more comprehensively.
Wechsler Test Cognitive Assessment in Special Populations 3
Which Wechsler version is specifically designed for the youngest special-population assessments (ages 2:6–7:7)?