The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)
The WAIS-IV is a battery of tests that provides an estimate of general intellectual functioning. Intelligence tests like
this one are samples of problem solving abilities and learned facts, and are good predictors of future learning and
academic success. However, there are several factors that the tests do not measure. For instance, they cannot
determine motivation, curiosity, creative talent, work habits, study skills, or achievement in academic subjects. These
should be considered when interpreting the scores in the report.
The WAIS-IV has 10 core subtests which make up four index scores, including the Verbal Comprehension Index
(VCI), the Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), the Working Memory Index (WMI), and the Processing Speed Index
(PSI). The VCI is a measure of verbal concept formation, verbal reasoning, and knowledge acquired from one’s
environment. The PRI is a measure of perceptual and fluid reasoning, spatial processing, and visual-motor
integration. The WMI is a measure of working memory abilities, which involve attention, concentration, mental
control and reasoning. Working memory tasks require the ability to temporarily retain information in memory,
perform some operation or manipulation with it, and produce a result. The PSI is composed of subtests measuring
the speed of mental and eye/hand coordination. The PSI provides a measure of the child’s ability to quickly and
correctly scan, sequence, or discriminate simple visual information. This composite also measures short-term
memory, attention, and visual-motor coordination.
STUDENT obtained a Full Scale IQ score of ******on the WAIS-IV. The chances that his true score is between
******and ******are about 95 out of 100. Composite scores between the range of 90 and 109 are considered
average. STUDENT’S overall performance is classified in the Average range and is equal to or higher than that of
******% of children his/her age (******th percentile). Student’s other Index scores are listed in the chart below.
Student’s General Ability Index (GAI) is also represented. This score is calculated and derived from the Verbal
Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning subtests only, providing a summary score that is less sensitive to the
influence of working memory and processing speed.
WAIS-IV Index Scores (Average 90-109)
Composite Index
Composite Score
Verbal Comprehension
Perceptual Reasoning
Working Memory
Processing Speed
General Ability Index
Full Scale
WAIS-IV Subtests Scores (Average 8-12)
Verbal Comprehension Subtests
Similarities
Vocabulary
Information
Perceptual Reasoning Subtests
Block Design
Matrix Reasoning
Visual Puzzles
Working Memory Subtests
Digit Span
Arithmetic
Processing Speed Subtests
Symbol Search
Coding
Interpretation:
SS
Percentile Rank
Confidence Interval
Classification
Ability measured
Verbal reasoning and verbal concept formation
Word knowledge and verbal concept formation
Ability to acquire, retain, and retrieve general factual
knowledge
Ability to analyze and synthesize abstract visual stimuli
Fluid intelligence, spatial ability, perceptual organization and
simultaneous processing
Nonverbal reasoning, ability to analyze and synthesize
abstract visual stimuli
Three memory tasks measure rote learning and memory,
attention, auditory processing, mental manipulation, and
working memory
Mental manipulation, concentration, attention, short and longterm memory, and numerical reasoning
Processing speed, short-term visual memory, visual motor
coordination, visual discrimination
Processing speed, short-term visual memory, psychomotor
speed, visual-motor coordination