The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Test is for use with children between the ages of 4 and 7 years old. It is separate and distinct from, although similar in form and content to, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Thus, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Test is designed as a comprehensive measure of cognitive ability for preschoolers.
The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Test contains 14 subtests, 8 of which (Information, Vocabulary, Arithmetic, Similarities, Comprehension, Picture Completion, Mazes, and Block Design) also appear on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and 3 of which (Sentences, Animal House, and Geometric Design) are unique to the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale
The WPPSI was standardized on 1,200 children, 100 boys and 100 girls in each of 6 age groups, ranging by half years from 4 to 61/2 years. The 1960 U.S. census data were used to select representative children for the normative sample. Whites and nonwhites were included in the sample, based on the ratios found in the census for four geographic regions in the United States.
It is suggested that the WPPSI is an appropriate instrument for practitioners and clinical researchers in assessing children's intelligence, particularly those ages 4-7 and who are preschool age.
The WPPSI–III is composed of 14 subtests.
Block Design - While viewing a constructed model or a picture in a Stimulus Book, the child uses one- or two-color blocks to re-create the design within a specified time limit.
Information - For Picture Items, the child responds to a question by choosing a picture from four response options. For Verbal Items, the child answers questions that address a broad range of general knowledge topics.
Matrix Reasoning - The child looks at an incomplete matrix and selects the missing portion from 4 or 5 response options.
Vocabulary - For Picture Items, the child names pictures that are displayed in a Stimulus Book. For Verbal Items, the child gives definitions for words that the examiner reads aloud.
Picture Concepts - The child is presented with two or three rows of pictures and chooses one picture from each row to form a group with a common characteristic.
Symbol Search - The child scans a search group and indicates whether a target symbol matches any of the symbols in the search group.
Word Reasoning - The child is asked to identify the common concept being described in a series of increasingly specific clues.
Coding - The child copies symbols that are paired with simple geometric shapes. Using a key, the child draws each symbol in its corresponding shape.
Comprehension - The child answers questions based on his or her understanding of general principles and social situations.
Picture Completion - The child views a picture and then points to or names the important missing part.
Similarities - The child is read an incomplete sentence containing two concepts that share a common characteristic. The child is asked to complete the sentence by providing a response that reflects the shared characteristic.
Receptive Vocabulary - The child looks at a group of four pictures and points to the one the examiner names aloud.
Object Assembly - The child is presented with the pieces of a puzzle in a standard arrangement and fits the pieces together to form a meaningful whole within 90 seconds.
Picture Naming - The child names pictures that are displayed in a Stimulus Book.
