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Differential Ability Scales-II (DAS-II)
Availability
Please visit this website for more information about the instrument: Differential Ability Scales - 2nd Edition
Classification
Supplemental: Mitochondrial Disease (Mito)
Short Description of Instrument
The DAS-II is an individually administered clinical instrument for assessing the cognitive abilities that are important to learning. It can be used to identify learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities and evaluate English learners, deaf or hard of hearing children, as well as assess giftedness. It has 20 cognitive subtests. The subtests are organized in two batteries based on age: Early Years and School-Age. The subtests in each battery are subdivided into core and diagnostic subtests which cover verbal, nonverbal, spatial, memory, perception, and cognitive processing speed performances.
Comments/Special Instructions
Age Range: DAS-II: 2:6-17:11 years, DAS-II Early Years Spanish: 2:6-6:11 years, DAS-II NU School-Age: 7:0-17:11 years
 
Core battery: 45-60 minutes; diagnostic subtests: 30 minutes
Scoring and Psychometric Properties
Scoring:
  • Composite Scores – GCA = General Conceptual Ability (most in line with overall intellectual level), SNC = Special Nonverbal Composite
  • Cluster Scores – Verbal Ability, Nonverbal Ability, Nonverbal Reasoning Ability, Spatial Ability
  • Five Norm-referenced Scores – ability scores, T scores, cluster scores, composite scores and percentile ranks
  • Normative Data – DAS-II Early Years, 2007; DAS-II Early Years Spanish Supplement, 2012; DAS-II NU School-Age, 2023
Psychometric Properties:
  • Evidence of reliability for internal consistency, test-retest stability, and interscorer agreement. 
  • Internal and external validity show substantial evidence for the hierarchical structure of the battery and the interrelationship with other cognitive and achievement measures. Special group studies provide support for validity and clinical utility. See manual for more information. 
Rationale/Justification
Strengths:
  • Covers wide age and ability ranges, Out-of-level testing options, Child-appropriate start points
  • 2023 Updated norms for school-age children (ages 7:0-17:11)
  • Spanish language translation of instructions for nonverbal subtests
  • Spanish-speaking assessment available for young children including monolingual Spanish and bilingual Spanish/English-speaking children, ages 2:6-6:11 years, with out-of-level testing available for children 7:0- 8:11 years
  • Digital scoring
Weaknesses:
  • Does not provide a global composite measure of intelligence (IQ)
References
Key References:
Elliott CD. Differential ability scales. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation; 1990.
 
Elliot CD. The Nature and structure of children's intelligence: Evidence from the Differential Ability Scales. J Psychoeducat Assess. 1990;8:376-90.
 
Elliott CD. Differential ability scales? (2nd ed.). New York: The Psychological Corporation; 2007.
 
Elliott CD. Differential ability scales (2nd ed.). Normative Update School Age; 2023.  
 
Additional Reference:
Platt LO, Kamphaus RW, Keltgen J, Gilliland F. An overview and review of the differential ability scales: Initial and current research findings. J School Psychol. 1991;29(3):271-7.
 
Document last updated March 2024