Wide Range Achievement Test Administration Procedures Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An examiner is administering the Math Computation subtest to a 12-year-old. The student asks if they can use a piece of scratch paper for their calculations. According to standard WRAT-5 administration procedures, what should the examiner do?
- Provide a blank piece of paper for the examinee to use. (Correct answer)
- Deny the request as all calculations must be done on the response form.
- Allow it only if the student also shows their work on the response form.
- Permit the use of scratch paper but deduct points for its use.
Correct answer: Provide a blank piece of paper for the examinee to use.
The WRAT-5 manual specifies that for the Math Computation subtest, the examinee should be given a blank piece of paper for working out problems, in addition to the response form. This is a standard and permitted accommodation for this specific subtest.
Question 2: Which of the following WRAT-5 subtests is the ONLY one administered with a time limit?
- Word Reading
- Spelling
- Sentence Comprehension
- Math Computation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Math Computation
The Word Reading, Sentence Comprehension, and Spelling subtests are untimed. The Math Computation subtest, however, is administered with a specific time limit for the written calculation section.
Question 3: During the administration of any WRAT-5 subtest, the testing environment should be free from distractions. If an unexpected, brief interruption occurs (e.g., a school announcement), what is the most appropriate first action for the examiner?
- Stop the timer (if applicable), cover the test materials, and resume after the interruption. (Correct answer)
- Discontinue the subtest and reschedule the entire assessment for another day.
- Ignore the interruption and instruct the examinee to continue working.
- Make a note of the interruption on the record form but take no other action.
Correct answer: Stop the timer (if applicable), cover the test materials, and resume after the interruption.
Standard testing procedures require maintaining a standardized environment. In case of a brief, unavoidable interruption, the examiner should pause the administration by stopping any timing and covering materials to prevent the examinee from continuing. Testing can resume once the environment is suitable again. Simply noting it or ignoring it compromises the validity of the administration.
Question 4: Which statement accurately describes the general discontinue rule for the Word Reading, Spelling, and Math Computation subtests of the WRAT-5?
- Testing stops after 7 consecutive incorrect responses.
- Testing stops after 10 total incorrect responses.
- Testing stops after 5 consecutive incorrect responses. (Correct answer)
- Testing stops when the examinee appears overly frustrated.
Correct answer: Testing stops after 5 consecutive incorrect responses.
A key update from the WRAT-4 to the WRAT-5 was the change in the discontinue rule for several subtests. For Word Reading, Spelling, and Math Computation, administration is discontinued after the examinee makes 5 consecutive errors (a score of 0).
Question 5: An examiner is preparing to administer the WRAT-5 using the Blue Form. Which of the following is essential for the examiner to do to ensure proper administration and scoring?
- Use only the Blue Record Form and Blue Stimulus Book. (Correct answer)
- Administer the Blue Form first, then the Green Form.
- Use the Green Form norms tables for scoring.
- Alternate between Blue and Green form items during the test.
Correct answer: Use only the Blue Record Form and Blue Stimulus Book.
The WRAT-5 has two parallel forms, Blue and Green, to allow for retesting without practice effects. All materials for a single administration must be from the same form. The examiner must use the Blue Record Form and the corresponding Blue Stimulus Book and norms tables to ensure consistency and scoring accuracy.
Question 6: A 10-year-old examinee begins Part 2 of the Word Reading subtest and does not achieve a score of 5 or more before meeting the discontinue criterion of 5 consecutive errors. What is the correct reversal procedure?
- Discontinue the subtest and record a raw score of 0.
- Administer Part 1 (Letter Reading) and then return to Part 2.
- Administer Part 1 (Letter Reading) and add the score to the Part 2 score. (Correct answer)
- Re-administer the first five items of Part 2 with additional prompting.
Correct answer: Administer Part 1 (Letter Reading) and add the score to the Part 2 score.
If the basal criterion (a raw score of 5 or more on Part 2) is not met for an examinee starting on Part 2 of Word Reading, Spelling, or Math Computation, the examiner must administer Part 1 of that subtest. The final raw score for the subtest is the sum of the items correct on Part 1 and Part 2.
An examiner is administering the Math Computation subtest to a 12-year-old.
The student asks if they can use a piece of scratch paper for their calculations.
According to standard WRAT-5 administration procedures, what should the examiner do?