WECHSLER INTELLIGENCE SCALE FOR CHILDREN-FIFTH EDITION (WISC-V)
The WISC-V is an individually administered, comprehensive clinical instrument for assessing the
intelligence of children ages 6 years 0 months through 16 years 11 months. The WISC-V provides
primary index scores that represent intellectual functioning in specified cognitive areas (Verbal
Comprehension Index, Visual Spatial Index, Fluid Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and
Processing Speed Index), a composite score that represents general intellectual ability (Full-Scale).
Scaled
Score
Subtests
Strength/Weakness
Verbal Comprehension Subtests
Similarities (SI)
Vocabulary (VC)
Information (IN)
Comprehension (CO)
Visual Spatial Subtests
Block Design (BD)
Visual Puzzles (VP)
Fluid Reasoning Subtests
Matrix Reasoning (MR)
Figure Weights (FW)
Picture Concepts (PC)
Arithmetic (AR)
Working Memory Subtests
Digit Span (DS)
Picture Span (PS)
Letter-Number Sequencing (LN)
Processing Speed Subtests
Coding (CO)
Symbol Search (SS)
Cancellation (CA)
Composite Indexes
Verbal Comprehension Index
(VCI)
Visual Spatial Index (VSI)
Standard
Scores
Percentile
Ranks
Descriptive
Classification
Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI)
Working Memory (WM)
Processing Speed (PS)
Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ)
General Ability Index (GAI)
Composite
Score Range
Descriptive
Classification
130 and above
Extremely High
120-129
110-119
Very High
High Average
90-109
80-89
70-79
69 and below
Average
Low Average
Very Low
Extremely Low
Description of Subtests and Indexes
Full-Scale IQ Index:
Xxx obtained a Full-Scale IQ score of * (90% confidence interval of *), which falls in the * range
at the * percentile when compared to *same-aged peers. The FSIQ score is derived from the
following subtests: Similarities, Vocabulary, Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Figure Weights,
Digit Span, and Coding.
Verbal Comprehension Index:
Xxx obtained a Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) score of *, which falls in the * at the *
percentile. The VCI subtests are language based and measure language expression,
comprehension, listening, and the ability to apply these skills in problem solving. Xxx’s ability to
reason with the use of words is below/commensurate with what would be expected for other
students his/her age.
The Similarities (SI) subtest is designed to measure verbal concept formation and abstract
reasoning. It involves crystallized intelligence, word knowledge, cognitive flexibility, auditory
comprehension, long-term memory, associative and categorical thinking, distinction between
nonessential and essential features, and verbal expression. Xxx is read two words that represent
common objects or concepts and Xxx describes how they are similar. Xxx was found to be within
the * range.
The Vocabulary (VC) subtest is designed to measure word knowledge and verbal concept
formation. It also measures crystallized intelligence, fund of knowledge, learning ability, verbal
expression, long-term memory, and degree of vocabulary development. Other abilities include
auditory perception and comprehension, and abstract thinking. Xxx names depicted objects or
defines a word that is read aloud. Xxx was found to be within the * range.
The Information (IN) subtest is designed to measure Xxx’s ability to acquire, retain, and retrieve
general factual knowledge. It involves crystallized intelligence, long-term memory, and the ability
to retain and retrieve knowledge from the environment and/or formal instruction. Other skills used
include verbal perception, comprehension, and expression. Xxx answers questions about a broad
range of general-knowledge topics. Xxx was found to be within the * range.
The Comprehension (CO) subtest is designed to measure verbal reasoning and conceptualization,
verbal comprehension and expression, the ability to evaluate and use past experience, and the
ability to demonstrate practical knowledge and judgment. It involves crystallized intelligence,
knowledge of conventional standards of behavior, social judgment, long-term memory, and
common sense. Xxx answers questions based on his or her understanding of general principles and
social situations. Xxx was found to be within the * range.
Visual Spatial Index:
Xxx obtained a Visual Spatial Index (VSI) score of *, which falls in the * range at the * percentile.
His/Her ability to attend to and evaluate visual details, integrate and synthesize visual part-towhole relationships, and his/her visual-motor integration skills are delayed/typical when compared
to same-aged peers.
The Block Design (BD) subtest is designed to measure the ability to analyze and synthesize
abstract visual stimuli. It involves nonverbal concept formation and reasoning, broad visual
intelligence, visual perception and organization, simultaneous processing, visual-motor
coordination, learning, and the ability to separate figure-ground in visual stimuli. Working within
a specified time limit, Xxx views a model and/or a picture and uses two-color blocks to re-create
the design. Xxx was found to be within the * range.
The Visual Puzzles (VP) subtest is designed to measure mental, non-motor construction ability,
which requires visual and spatial reasoning, mental rotation, visual working memory,
understanding part-whole relationships, and the ability to analyze synthesize abstract visual
stimuli. It also measures visual proceeding and acuity, spatial relations, integration and synthesis
of part-whole relationships, nonverbal reasoning, and trial-and-error learning. Xxx views a
completed puzzle and selects three response options that, when combined, reconstruct the puzzle
with a specified time limit. Xxx was found to be within the * range.
Fluid Reasoning Index:
Xxx obtained a Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI) score of *, which falls in the * range at the *
percentile. His/Her ability to identify conceptual if-then relationships between visual stimuli and
use inductive and quantitative reasoning to apply rules to these stimuli to solve problems is slightly
below what would be expected for other students his/her age.
The Matrix Reasoning (MR) subtest is designed to measure fluid intelligence, broad visual
intelligence, classification and spatial ability, knowledge of part-whole relationships, and
simultaneous processing. It involves attention to visual detail and working memory. Xxx views an
incomplete matrix or series and selects the response option that completes the matrix or series.
Xxx was found to be within the * range.
The Figure Weights (FW) subtest measures quantitative fluid reasoning and induction.
Quantitative reasoning tasks involve reasoning process that can be expressed mathematically,
emphasizing inductive or deductive logic. Xxx views a scale with missing weight(s) and selects
the response option that keeps the scale balanced within a specified time limit. Xxx was found to
be within the * range.
The Picture Concepts (PC) subtest is designed to measure fluid and inductive reasoning, visualperceptual recognition and processing, and conceptual thinking. It also requires visual scanning,
working memory, and abstract reasoning. Xxx views two or three rows of pictures and selects one
picture from each row to form a group with a common characteristic. Xxx was found to be within
the * range.
The Arithmetic (AR) subtest involves mental manipulation, concentration, brief focused
attention, working memory, short- and long-term memory, numerical reasoning ability, applied
computational ability, and mental alertness. It also involves sequential processing, logical
reasoning, and quantitative knowledge. Xxx mentally solves arithmetic problems within a
specified time limit for both picture and verbal items. Xxx was found to be within the * range.
Working Memory Index:
Xxx obtained a Working Memory Index (WMI) score of *, which falls in the * range at the *
percentile. This score suggests that *’s ability to register, maintain, and manipulate or re-sequence
visual and auditory information in conscious awareness is delayed/commensurate when compared
to other students his/her age.
The Digit Span (DS) subtest involves a sequence of numbers and recalls the numbers in the same
order (Forward task), reverse order (Backward task), and ascending order (Sequencing task). Digit
Span Forward measures auditory rehearsal and temporary storage capacity in working memory,
Digit Span Backward involves working memory, transformation of information, mental
manipulation, and visuospatial imaging. Digit Span Sequencing measures working memory and
mental manipulation. Xxx is read a sequence of numbers and recalls the numbers in the same order,
reverse order, and ascending order. Xxx was found to be within the * range.
The Picture Span (PS) subtest measures visual working memory and working memory capacity.
It involves attention, visual processing, visual immediate memory, and response inhibition. Xxx
views a stimulus page with one or more pictures for a specified time and then selects the picture(s)
(in sequential order, if possible) from options on a response page. Xxx was found to be within the
* range.
The Letter-Number Sequencing (LN) subtest measures auditory discrimination, brief focused
attention, concentration, registration, and auditory rehearsal. It also involves sequential processing,
the ability to compare stimuli based on quantity or alphabetic principles, working memory
capacity, and mental manipulation. Xxx is read a sequence of numbers and letters and recalls the
numbers in ascending order and then the letters in alphabetical order. Xxx was found to be within
the * range.
Processing Speed Index:
Xxx obtained a Processing Speed Index (PSI) score of *, which falls in the * range at the *
percentile. His/Her ability to correctly scan, sequence, and discriminate simple visual information
is within typical limits for his/her age.
The Coding (CO) subtest measures processing speed, short-term visual memory, procedural and
incidental learning ability, psychomotor speed, visual perception, visual-motor coordination,
visual scanning ability, cognitive flexibility, attention, concentration, and motivation. It also
involves visual sequential processing and fluid intelligence. Xxx uses a key to copy symbols that
correspond with simple geometric shapes or numbers working within a specified time limit. Xxx
was found to be within the * range.
The Symbol Search (SS) subtest measures visual-perception and decision-making speed, shortterm visual memory visual-motor coordination, inhibitory control, visual discrimination,
psychomotor speed, sustained attention, concentration, perceptual organization, fluid intelligence,
and planning and learning ability. Xxx scans search groups and indicates whether target symbols
are present within a specified time limit. Xxx was found to be within the * range.
The Cancellation (CA) subtest measures the rate of test taking, speed of visual-perceptual
processing and decision making, visual scanning ability, and visual-perceptual recognition and
discrimination. It also involves attention, concentration, and visual recall. Xxx scans two
arrangements of objects (one random, one structured) and marks target objects. Xxx was found to
be within the * range.