Wechsler Test Wechsler Standardized Administration Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During subtest administration, the examiner discovers the testing room is noisy and frequently interrupted. What is the most appropriate action under standardized procedures?
- Continue and note the conditions in the report
- Stop and reschedule in a quiet, distraction-free environment (Correct answer)
- Speak louder to compensate for the noise
- Skip the affected subtests entirely
Correct answer: Stop and reschedule in a quiet, distraction-free environment
Standardized administration requires a quiet, well-lit, distraction-free setting, so testing should be moved to an appropriate environment.
Question 2: On a Wechsler subtest, the examinee asks the examiner to repeat an item. According to standard rules, the examiner may generally:
- Repeat the item exactly as written if allowed by that subtest (Correct answer)
- Reword the item to make it clearer
- Refuse all repetitions on every subtest
- Provide a hint about the correct answer
Correct answer: Repeat the item exactly as written if allowed by that subtest
Most subtests permit repeating an item verbatim, but the examiner may not reword or add explanatory information.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of using standardized verbatim instructions when administering Wechsler subtests?
- To save time during administration
- To ensure scores can be validly compared to the norm sample (Correct answer)
- To make the test easier for the examinee
- To allow the examiner to show expertise
Correct answer: To ensure scores can be validly compared to the norm sample
Verbatim instructions keep conditions consistent with the standardization sample, preserving the validity of normative comparisons.
Question 4: An examiner is unsure whether a vague verbal response deserves credit. The standardized procedure is to:
- Always score it as incorrect
- Always score it as correct to be fair
- Use a neutral query such as 'Tell me more about that' (Correct answer)
- Ask a leading question hinting at the answer
Correct answer: Use a neutral query such as 'Tell me more about that'
Neutral, non-leading queries are the standardized way to clarify ambiguous responses without cueing the examinee.
Question 5: 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)
- It always lists the easiest subtests first
- Order has no effect on results
- 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 6: If an examinee becomes fatigued midway through testing, the examiner should:
- End the session and discard all results
- Offer a short break while following subtest timing rules (Correct answer)
- Give the answers to speed things up
- Reduce the number of required items per subtest
Correct answer: Offer a short break while following subtest timing rules
Brief breaks are acceptable as long as timed-item rules are honored, but content and procedures may not be altered.
Question 7: Establishing rapport before beginning the Wechsler subtests is important primarily because:
- It guarantees a higher IQ score
- It encourages optimal effort so scores reflect true ability (Correct answer)
- It is required to skip practice items
- It replaces the need for standardized instructions
Correct answer: It encourages optimal effort so scores reflect true ability
Good rapport elicits the examinee's best effort, helping the obtained scores represent genuine performance.
