Some of the most common IQ tests are the Wechsler tests. The Wechsler tests include the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV; age 6-16 years), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
What is the WISC-IV?
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition is an individually administered, standardized test of intelligence used to measure a range of cognitive abilities that represent a sample of what a child or teen has learned and can use at the time of testing. The test measures a child’s ability to think abstractly, solve problems, deal with new situations, and profit from experience.
The WISC-IV scores include the Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), which is derived from a combination of subtest scores and is considered the most representative estimate of global intellectual functioning. The WISC-IV consists of four index scores that make up the Full Scale IQ: the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), the Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), the Working Memory Index (WMI), and the Processing Speed Index (PSI). Scores on each of these Indexes between 90 and 110 are considered in the Average range.
What is the WISC-IV used for?
The WISC-IV is used by clinical, school, and neuropsychologists to help identify children and teens with cognitive or learning disabilities. Results from the WISC-IV help these children qualify for any needed special services. Psychologists also use the WISC-IV in recommending appropriate interventions for cognitive difficulties and determining eligibility for educational programs and schools.