ADMINISTRATION AND SCORING OF VERBAL

COMPONENTS OF WAIS III

OWAIS IQBAL (31019)
VERBAL COMPONENT

It includes following subtests:

 Vocabulary
 Similarities
 Arithmetic
 Digit Span
 Information
 Comprehension
 Letter Number Sequencing
VOCABULARY
 Materials: Manual & Vocabulary Words (33) on Cards.
 Description: Examinee gives oral definitions for words.
 Start from Item 4.
 Score: Perfect = 2, Wrong = 0.
 Discontinue after six consecutive scores of 0.
 Directions:

I want you to tell me the meanings of some words.

Listen Carefully and tell me what each word I say means.
– Tell me what______ means.
If unclear or vague, ask ‘Tell me more about it’.
SIMILARITIES

 Materials: Similarities Words (19) in Manual & on Record Form

 Description: Examinee is orally presented two words that represent common objects or concepts.
 Start from Item 6.
 Score: Item 1-5, Perfect Score = 1, Wrong = 0.
Item 6-19, Perfect Score = 2, Wrong = 0.
 Discontinue after four consecutive scores of 0.
 Directions: I’m going to read two words to you, and I want you to tell me how they are alike.
In what way are ______ and _______ alike?.
If unclear or vague, ask ‘Tell me more about it’.
ARITHMETIC
 Materials: Arithmetic Problems (20) in Manual, Block Design Blocks (9), Stopwatch.
 Description: Examinee is to respond orally within a time limit to series of arithmetic word problems
to be solved mentally.
 Start from Item 5.
 Time Limit in seconds given in the response sheet for each item.
 Score: Perfect = 1, Wrong = 0.
 Discontinue after four consecutive scores of 0.
 Directions:
Begin timing immediately after reading the problem
Repeat only once if the examinee requests. Timing starts from first though.
Do not discourage for using a finger to write on table.
DIGIT SPAN
 Materials: Digits Forward and Digits Backward Items in Manual and on Record Form.
 Description: Two Tasks. Digits Forward and Digits Backward. The examinee is required to repeat the
number sequence in the same order as presented in Digits Forward while repeating it in reverse
order in Digits Backwards.
 Start from Trial 1 of Item 1.
 Score: Trial - Perfect = 1, Wrong = 0. (Both Trial Correct 2 Score).
 Discontinue after score of 0 on both trials of any item.
 Directions:
Administered Separately. Administer Digits Backwards even if the examinee obtains a score of 0 on
Digits Forward.
I am going to say some numbers. Listen Carefully and say them right after I finish. (or in reverse sequence)
INFORMATION
 Materials: Information Items (28) in Manual.
 Description: Examinee to respond orally to a series of questions about factual
information.
 Start from Item 5.
 Score: Perfect = 1, Wrong = 0.
 Discontinue after six consecutive scores of 0.
 Directions:
I’m going to ask you some questions, and I would like you to tell me the answers. – If
vague/incomplete/unclear, ‘Explain what you mean.’
COMPREHENSION
 Materials: Comprehension Items (18) in Manual.
 Description: Examinee to respond orally to a series of questions that require
solutions to everyday problems or understanding the concepts and social practices.
 Start from Item 4.
 Score: Perfect = 1 (item 1-3) or 2 (item 4-18), Wrong = 0.
 Discontinue after four consecutive scores of 0.
 Directions:
I’m going to ask you to tell me some solutions to everyday problems or social concerns. – If
vague/incomplete/unclear, ‘Explain what you mean.’ or ‘Tell me another reason.’
LETTER NUMBER SEQUENCING
 Materials: Record Form.
 Description: Examiner reads a combination of numbers and letters and asks the
examinee to recall the numbers first in ascending order and then the letters in
alphabetical order.
 Start from Practice Items and then item 1.
 Score: Perfect = 1, Wrong = 0.
 Discontinue after score of 0 on all three trials of an item.
 Directions:
I am going to say a group of numbers and letters. After I say them, I want you to tell me
the numbers first, in order, starting with the lowest number.Then tell me the letters in
alphabetical order.
STRENGTHS

 WAIS‐III is the “King of IQ” and the most popular intelligence assessment instrument.

 Has strong reliability and validity.

 IQ scores are best predictors/estimators of present functioning.

 Gives valuable information about a person’s cognitive strength and weaknesses.

LIMITATIONS

 One drawback is the administration time, which is quite lengthy.

 WAIS‐III is fairly expensive.

 IQ tests are not concerned with the underlying process involved in problem solving.
They look at “what” rather than “how”.
APPLICATIONS

It is used by…
 Counselors and psychologists working in a variety of settings, including colleges,
community clinics, and hospitals.
 May also be utilized in populations with psychiatric illness or brain injury, in order to
assess level of cognitive functioning.
 Some neuropsychologists use the technique on people suffering brain damage as it
leads to links with which part of the brain has been affected, or use specific subtests
in order to get an idea of the extent of the brain damage.
For example, digit span may be used to get a sense of attention difficulties
THANK YOU