Glossary
Mullen Scales of Early Learning
The Mullen Scales of Early Learning is a comprehensive measure of cognitive function
for young children. The test generates six age-normed scores: the Gross Motor Scale and
four Cognitive Scales (Visual Reception, Fine Motor, Receptive Language, and
Expressive Language). An Early Learning Composite Score is generated based on the
four Cognitive Scales, and serves as a measure of general development/intelligence.
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Gross Motor – balance, mobility and motor planning
Visual Reception – visual processing skills, spatial organization and visual
memory
Fine Motor – coordination, visual organization, fine motor planning and control
Receptive Language – understanding spoken language, auditory-spatial
concepts, memory for commands and general information
Expressive Language-ability to use speech to communicate and express ideas,
vocabulary, abstract thinking and reasoning, auditory memory and
comprehension.
The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Third Edition
WPPSI-III
The WPPSI-III is a brief and reliable measure of general cognitive functioning. The WPPSI-III
has two forms: WPPSI-III 2:6-3:11 and WPPSI-III 4:0-7:3. The WPPSI-III, for children
between the ages of 2 years 6 months through 3 years 11 months, includes four core subtests:
Receptive Vocabulary, Information, Block Design, and Object Assembly. The older version of
the WPPSI-III, for children between the ages of 4 years through 5 years 11 months, includes
seven core subtests: Information, Vocabulary, Word Reasoning, Block Design, Matrix
Reasoning, Picture Concepts, and Coding. Both configurations of the WPPSI-III generate
composite scores for Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, and Full Scale IQ. Age-based standard scores
are generated for all indices.
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Block Design – ability to analyze abstract visual stimuli, nonverbal concept
formation, visual perception and organization, visual-motor coordination and
learning
Coding – short-term memory, learning ability, visual perception, visual-motor
coordination, visual scanning ability, cognitive flexibility, attention and
motivation
Information – ability to acquire, retain and retrieve general knowledge
Matrix Reasoning – visual information processing and abstract reasoning skills
Object Assembly – visual-perception organization, integration and synthesis of
part-whole relationships, nonverbal reasoning and trial-and-error learning
Picture Concepts – abstract, categorical reasoning ability
Receptive Vocabulary – ability to comprehend verbal directions, auditory and
visual discrimination, auditory memory and auditory processing
Similarities – verbal concept formation, abstract verbal reasoning ability and
general intellectual ability
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Vocabulary – verbal knowledge, verbal concept formation, learning ability,
long-term memory and language development
Word Reasoning – verbal comprehension, reasoning ability, verbal abstraction,
domain knowledge and the ability to generate alternative concepts
The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI)
The WASI is a brief and reliable measure of general cognitive functioning and consists of four
subtests: Vocabulary, Similarities, Matrix Reasoning, and Block Design. Age-based standard
scores are generated for all subtests. The results from these subtests produce composite scores for
Verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Full Scale IQ.
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Block Design – ability to analyze abstract visual stimuli, nonverbal concept
formation, visual perception and organization, visual-motor coordination and
learning
Matrix Reasoning – visual information processing and abstract reasoning skills
Similarities – verbal concept formation, abstract verbal reasoning ability and
general intellectual ability
Vocabulary – verbal knowledge, verbal concept formation, learning ability,
long-term memory and language development
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-II-Abbreviated (WIAT-II-A)
The WIAT-II-A is an achievement battery which includes three subtests: Basic Reading,
Spelling, and Numerical Operations. The WIAT-II-A is a reliable source of information about an
individual’s academic achievement skills.
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Basic Reading – letter identification, phonological awareness, word recognition
and decoding skills
Spelling – ability to spell dictated letters, letter blends and words
 Numerical Operations – ability to identify and write numbers and solve written
calculation problems and simple equations involving the basic operations of
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Conners’ Continuous Performance Test: Kiddie Version (K-CPT)
&
Conners’ Continuous Performance Test Second Edition (CPT-II)
The CPT-II and the K-CPT is used to identify visual attention problems manifested in impaired
vigilance and impulsive responding. The CPT-II and the K-CPT provides information about the
child’s omission and commission error rate, response variability, and reaction time.