Stability of the WISC-IV in a sample of elementary and middle school children.
This study investigated test-retest stability of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition, in 43 elementary/middle school students tested on two occasions approximately 11 months apart. Subtest stability coefficients ranged from .26 (Picture Concepts) to .84 (Vocabulary [VC]). Composite stabilities ranged from .54 (Processing Speed Index) to .88 (Full Scale Intelligence Quotient [FSIQ]). On 11 subtests and three indexes, the standardization sample stability coefficients were significantly larger than those of the present sample, with only the VC subtest and FSIQ having high levels of test-retest stability. Mean practice effects were not significant, but range of gain or loss for some individuals was large. On the FSIQ, 42% changed > +/-5 points on retest. The FSIQ is less stable than one might infer from the large stability coefficient and small mean practice effect.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri 64093, USA. ryan@ucmo.edu
Joseph J
JJ
Ryan
Laura A
LA
Glass
Jared M
JM
Bartels
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014825:Vocabulary