Wechsler Adult Intelligence scale
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence scale (WAIS) is the most famous and commonly used intelligence test in clinical practice. It can be used for people between the ages of 16 and 90. For children there is a specific form called the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC).
The current version (WAIS-IV) consists of four index scores as follows:-
Each index is comprised of a number of subsets
The results are presented as two scores:-
The average score is 100 with a standard deviation of 15 (85-115). A score of 100 puts a person on the 50th centile (50% of people score above and 50% score below). It becomes less accurate at the extremes of IQ (70-130).
The current version (WAIS-IV) consists of four index scores as follows:-
- Verbal Comprehension Index
- Perceptual Reasoning Index
- Working Memory Index
- Processing Speed Index
Each index is comprised of a number of subsets
| Verbal comprehension subsets | Perceptual reasoning subsets | Working memory subsets | Processing speed subsets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similarities, vocabulary, information, comprehension | Block Design, matrix reasoning, visual puzzles, picture completion, figure weights | Digit span, arithmetic, letter-number sequencing | Symbol search, coding, cancellation |
The results are presented as two scores:-
- Full Scale IQ (based on the score of the four index scores)
- General Ability Index (based on scores from verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning
The average score is 100 with a standard deviation of 15 (85-115). A score of 100 puts a person on the 50th centile (50% of people score above and 50% score below). It becomes less accurate at the extremes of IQ (70-130).
