WECHSLER INTELLIGENCE
SCALE FOR ADULTS
WAIS-IV
Definition
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale WAIS-IV is
an individually administered clinical instrument
designed to assess the general intellectual
aptitude of adults aged 16 years to 89 years 11
months (16:0-89:11). It is about version of the
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III. This scale
incorporates important modifications, among
them the simplification of the scale structure and
the development of indices that reflect the
subject's performance in more precise domains
of cognitive functioning.
SCALE STRUCTURE
The general structure of the WAIS-iv
is organized into 4 scales, verbal
comprehension, perspectival
reasoning, working memory and
processing speed.
when the score obtained is a main test
it is considered invalid, the score
obtained is an optional test that may
constitute an invalid test for
calculating composite scores.
composite scores
Compared to the waish-iii, they must take
into account the new terminology of this
new update, this change seeks to improve
and have greater accuracy and the
cognitive skills evaluated by each index.
for this reason the scores obtained by this
index may artificially result in the total ci
score.
general rules of
application and
correction
-General evaluation guidelines:
The following indications are to carry out a standardized
application taking into account the well-being of the person
being evaluated: familiarization with the materials, application
times, environmental conditions, establishing a good climate.
-General rules of application:
The general rules of the WAIS-IV must be mastered before
starting the application. The general rules deal with the order of
application, selection and substitution of tests, starting points,
rules of return, and determination, application times, items and
demonstration and example, questions and repetition of items
and forms of response recording.
-General scoring criteria:
They deserve special attention. This section includes some
indications for evaluating examples of multiple responses, as well
as for determining when a response should be overridden.
-Completion of the annotation booklet:
It allows the recording of the subject's responses and is designed
to facilitate the application and correction of the tests. It also
indicates the starting point, the return and determination rule
and the time limits for each itrm or test.
-
Types of the
Wechsler Scale
The intelligence tests conceived
and developed by David
Wechsler have made an
amazing journey through time
since the first one was
published in 1939. The following
revisions of the scale are the
WAIS, the WAIS-R, the WAIS-
III, the WAIS-IV and finally the
WISC V.
Processing and valuations
In a neuropsychological assessment, a
qualitative interpretation of the results, analysis
and error, as an assessment of the subject's
limits, are as important as the quantitative
assessments obtained. WAIS-IV offers an
assessment of processing for cubes, six number
and letter accusations results, as well as
numbers.
For this reason, it is impossible to replace not a
single straight or raise, or intervene in the
curriculum according to any composite
assessment, 1.3 points of processing and
abbreviations of leadership are considered.
DESCRIPTION OF THE
TESTS:
The WAIS-IV is composed of 15 tests, of which 12 tests come from the WAIS-
III.
These are:
Cubes: Here the evaluee must reproduce the cubes provided by the
examiner or by showing an image from the stimulus booklet.
Similarities: The task of the evaluator is to determine how the objects or
concepts are similar.
Digits: The evaluee reads the series of numbers indicated by the examiner.
Matrices: The evaluee observes an incomplete matrix or series and must
select the option that completes the series.
Vocabulary: The evaluee must name a series of images represented in the
stimulus booklet.
Arithmetic: The evaluee must mentally solve a series of arithmetic problems
and give the answer orally.
Symbol search: The evaluee must observe two groups of symbols. A key
group and a search group
Visual puzzles: the evaluee must present a completed puzzle together with
the stimulus booklet.
Information: the examinee must orally answer a series of questions posed by
the examiner.
Number key: the test taker's task is to copy a series of symbols.
letters and numbers: the examinee must read a combination of letters and
numbers.
scales: the test taker observes a scale with two pans in the stimulus booklet.
comprehension: the test taker must orally answer a series of questions
related to daily life experiences.
cancellation: within a given time limit, the test taker must cross out two
geometric figures.
Incomplete figures: The evaluated must point out or say what is missing in
the images..
Adequacy to the subject's needs
Evaluation of 16-year-old subjects:
For subjects between the ages of 16 years and zero months and 16 years 11 months the
examiner can use the WISC-IV or the WAIS-IV depending on which is more appropriate, for
example if the subject has a below average cognitive attitude, has other psychological deficits,
it is more convenient to use the WISC-IV. If, on the other hand, it is suspected that the subject
to be evaluated has an above-average attitude, the examiner should use the WAIS-IV.
Subjects with special needs:
Individuals with special needs, such as those with physical, linguistic or sensory limitations, are often
referred for psychological evaluation. Depending on the test applied, the type of limitation of the subject
and the scores obtained may underestimate their actual intellectual aptitude if the test is applied in a
standardized manner without taking into account their abilities and limitations. When assessing people
with special needs, the examiner should use a comprehensive battery that includes the WAIS-IV,
Subjects who are deaf or hard of hearing:
When assessing people with these characteristics, issues such as those
related to educational history, the use of scales for special groups, the
lack of standardized translations of signs, convenience, verbal tests and
limitations in the analysis of the subject's profile must be assessed.