Assessment Evaluation
Evaluation of Standardized Assessment
Test Reviewer’s Name: Josie StraightA
Name of Testing Instrument (include publisher and current version of test if known):
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth Edition (WISC-V) was created by David Wechsler in 2014 and published by Pearson.
Type of Test: Norm-Referenced Test
Appropriate Age Level: Ages 6 years 0 months to 16 years 11 months
Test Description:
The WISC-V accesses general intellectual functioning by sampling performance on multiple different activities through 15 subtests. 7 primary subtests are used for Full Scale IQ. There are also 9 secondary subtests. The subtests access five main composites: Verbal Comprehension Index, Visual Spatial Index, Fluid Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and Processing Speed Index (WISC-V, n.d.).
Purpose of Assessment:
The purpose of the WISC-V is to access the general intellectual performance of school-aged individuals and much more. According to the textbook, the results of this measure provide information about general levels of intellectual performance as well as more specific mental abilities (Kritikos, 2018, p. 169). It is clear from this information why the WISC-V is so often administered as it provides information on general intellectual ability and specific cognitive domains. It is used to identify an intellectual disability, giftedness, a specific learning disability, and whether special services or clinical intervention is needed.
Who should administer this test:
Examiners should have a qualification level “c” or a high level of expertise in test interpretation. Administrators of the WISC-V are usually licensed school psychologists.
Scores yielded:
For the Full Scale IQ Score, the standard scores are normally distributed with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. The core results are reported in ranges using a 90 or 95 percent confidence level. There are five composite scores: Verbal Comprehension Index, Visual Spatial Index, Working Memory Index, Fluid Reasoning, and Processing Speed Index (standard score normally distributed with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15). The scores are reported in ranges using a 90 or 95 percent confidence level. There are Scaled Scores for each subtest (standard scores normally distributed with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). One needs to consider not just the Full Scale number, but whether the scales are consistent. Here’s a guide (Eckerd, n.d.):
How results of this test can be used:
A significant difference in subtest scores can indicate a problem in a particular set of skills. A significant difference in an Index Score can indicate a learning disability. Further evaluation can then take place due to the score. Full scale IQ can be used to gauge where the student falls when compared to their peers
Pros of this test:
Hand scoring and web-based automatic scoring are available. No skills are needed in reading or writing in order to be assessed. Additionally, according to an article in Child and Educational Psychologist, the "WISC-V provides subtest and composite scores that represent intellectual functioning in specific cognitive domains, as well as a composite score that represents the general intellectual ability" (WISC-V, 2024). It is clear from this information why the WISC-V is considered to have more interpretive data than previous versions or other assessments and is considered the gold standard.
Cons of this test:
This assessment is not appropriate for students who are do not speak or understand English. The test is long and may have to be administered in multiple sessions. For this assessment both oral and motor skills are required. Additionally, according to an article entitled, Understanding IQ Test Scores, unless one has a "basic understanding of how the test is structured, it’s easy to misinterpret the results" (Eckerd, n.d.). This means that an experienced professional should take the time to explain results to caregivers and families so to prevent confusion and misinterpretation.
Your personal recommendation:
I recommend that the test be given to students who can maintain attention for long periods of time or to students who can deal with shorter multiple sessions. If the student is constantly moving, they will not be able to score well unless the test is broken up into multiple sessions, which also may impact their score.
Other factors you feel are important:
The textbooks shares that Wechsler provides a different system of interpreting scores than the textbook. IQ scores between 90 and 109 are considered Average, and this range incorporates approximately 50 percent of the population. IQs of 80 to 89 are rated as Low Average, 70 to 79 as Very Low, and 69 and below as Extremely Low. Above the mean, IQs 110 to 119 are classified as High Average, 120 to 129 as Very High, and 130 and above as Extremely High (Kritikos, et al., 2018, p. 174). This would require administrators to understand and use this scale for data interpretation.
Internal consistency of the WISC–V was studied for each index through the split-half method with the Spearman-Brown formula. Average reliability coefficients ranged from .88 to .96, whereas average reliability coefficients for subtests ranged from .88 to .94. Test-retest reliability is adequate across ages for Full Scale IQ, and interscorer reliability coefficients fell at or above .97 across subtests (Kritikos, et al., 2018, p. 173). This information indicates that the WISC-V is reliable.
References
Kritikos, E. P., McLoughlin, J. A., & Lewis, R. B. (2018). Assessing students with special needs (8th ed.). Pearson.
Eckerd, M. (n.d.). Understanding IQ test scores. Smart Kids. https://www.smartkidswithld.org/first-steps/evaluating-your-child/understanding-iq-test-scores/
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V). (n.d.). QuirkyKid. https://www.childpsychologist.com.au/tests/wisc-v-iq-test#:~:text=The%20WISC%2DV%20can%20be,and%20is%20administered%20using%20iPads.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V). (2024). Child and Educational Psychologist. https://www.child-psychologist.com.au/wechsler-intelligence-scale-for-children.html