Administration and Scoring Rules Flashcards

An examiner is administering the Vocabulary subtest to a 5-year-old child who has a designated start point of Item 5. The child scores 1 point on Item 5 and 0 points on Item 6. According to WPPSI-IV standard procedure, what should the examiner do next?

Answer: Administer Item 4 and proceed in reverse order until a basal is established.

The reverse rule is applied when a child does not obtain perfect scores on the first two items administered at their age-based start point. The examiner must administer preceding items in reverse order until the child obtains two consecutive perfect scores (a score of 2 for this subtest), which establishes the basal level.

During the Similarities subtest, the examiner asks a child, 'How are a shirt and a shoe alike?' The child responds, 'They're on you.' This response is ambiguous. What is the most appropriate action for the examiner?

Answer: Query the response with a neutral prompt, such as 'What do you mean?' or 'Tell me more.'

Standard administration rules require the examiner to query responses that are vague, ambiguous, or incomplete to clarify the child's meaning. A neutral prompt, indicated by (Q) in the manual, should be used to elicit more information without leading the child to a specific answer.

What is the standard discontinue rule for the Block Design subtest in the WPPSI-IV?

Answer: After the child fails to earn any points on two consecutive items.

The standard discontinue, or ceiling, rule for the Block Design subtest is to stop administration after the child receives scores of 0 on two consecutive items. This rule ensures testing efficiency and prevents unnecessary frustration for the child.

Which of the following scenarios describes a 'spoiled' response that should be scored as 0?

Answer: A child gives a correct, 1-point response, but when the examiner queries it, the child changes the answer to an incorrect one.

A response is considered 'spoiled' and is scored 0 if the child's initial response was correct, but upon being queried, they elaborate or change it to an incorrect answer. The final response is the one that is scored.

For timed performance subtests such as Block Design or Object Assembly, when must the examiner start the stopwatch to ensure standardized administration?

Answer: Immediately after saying the last word of the instructions for the item.

According to the WPPSI-IV administration manual, timing for performance subtests must begin immediately after the examiner finishes reading the instructions for that specific item. This ensures that every child receives the same amount of time, which is critical for standardized scoring.

An examiner is preparing to administer the WPPSI-IV to a 4-year-old. The testing room is well-lit and quiet, but the only available table is a low, circular activity table. What is the most important consideration regarding this setup?

Answer: The table and chairs should allow both the child and examiner to sit comfortably with their feet on the floor and elbows at a 90-degree angle to the tabletop.

The WPPSI-IV administration manual specifies that the testing environment, including the table and chairs, must be appropriate for the child's size. The ideal setup allows both the child and examiner to sit comfortably, typically with feet on the floor and elbows bent at a 90-degree angle, to prevent fatigue and ensure proper interaction with test materials. A table that is too low or high can negatively impact performance, especially on timed or motor tasks.