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Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV)
Availability
Please visit this website for more information about the instrument: Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
Classification
Supplemental - Highly Recommended: Mitochondrial Disease (Mito)
Recommendations for use: Indicated for studies investigating intellectual and cognitive functioning in young children.
Short Description of Instrument
WPPSI-IV is an individually administered, comprehensive clinical instrument for measuring the intelligence of children aged 2 years 6 months through 7 years 7 months.
Comments/Special Instructions
Primary Index Scores:
    • Verbal Comprehension Index

    • Fluid Reasoning Index

    • Visual Spatial Index

    • Working Memory Index

    • Processing Speed Index

 
Secondary Index Scores:
    • General Ability Index

    • Nonverbal Index

    • Vocabulary Acquisition Index

    • Cognitive Proficiency Index

 
Of the 14 subtests, children aged 2 years, 6 months to 3 years, 11 months are administered these 5 subtests: Receptive Vocabulary, Block Design, Information, Object Assembly and Picture Naming. Children aged 4 years to 7 years, 7 months are administered the 5 subtests above as well as these additional subtests: Vocabulary, Picture Concepts, Symbol Search, Word Reasoning, Coding, Comprehension, Picture Completion, Similarities and Matrix Reasoning.
 
Administration Time:
2:6-3:11 years old: Full Scale IQ in 27 minutes, All core in 32 minutes
 
4:0-7:7 years old: Full Scale IQ in 31 minutes, All core subtests in 60 minutes
Scoring and Psychometric Properties
Scoring: Raw scores are calculated by adding the score for each item (i.e., 1 or 2) and converting this raw score to a subtest scaled score. Scaled scores for subtests within each Index (see above) are added and an Index standard score is calculated.
 
Psychometric Properties: Evidence of reliability and validity is reported in the manual. Retest data is reported for three separate age groups. Evidence of convergent and discriminant validity is provided with WPPSI-III, Bayley-III, DAS-II, NNAT-2, NEPSY-II, WIAT-III, and BASC-2 PRS.
Rationale/Justification
Strengths: Engaging for young children with use of manipulatives and topics of interest. Part iPad administration with Q-interactive is available, can be scored on Q-global or Q-interactive. Two versions - shorter for younger children under 4 years old, age range overlaps with WISC-V for use when needed.
 
Weaknesses: Verbal intelligence scores may be dependent on age and sex of the participant (Rzhanova et al., 2023).
References
Key References:
Wechsler, D. (2012). Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence - Fourth edition (WPPSI-IV): Administration and scoring manual. San Antonio: The Psychological Corporation.
 
Wechsler, D. (2012). Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence - Fourth edition (WPPSI-IV): Technical and interpretive manual. San Antonio: The Psychological Corporation.
 
Additional References:
Rzhanova IE, Alekseeva OS, Boldyreva AY, Nikolaeva AY, Burdukova YA. Verbal Abilities: Sex Differences in Children at Different Ages. Psychol Russ. 2023 Jun 15;16(2):22-32.
 
Syeda M & Climie E. Test review: The Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence, fourth edition. J Psychoeduc Assess. 2014;32:265-72.
 
 
Wechsler D. (2012). Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Fourth Edition: Technical and Interpretive Manual Supplement: Special Group Validity Studies With Other Measures. Retrieved 29Dec2023 from https://www.pearsonassessments.com/content/dam/school/global/clinical/us/assets/wppsi-iv/wppsi-iv-technical-manual-supplement.pdf
 
Mitochondrial Disease-Specific Reference:
van de Loo KFE, Custers JAE, de Boer L, van Lieshout M, de Vries MC, Janssen MCH, Verhaak CM. Cognitive functioning and mental health in children with a primary mitochondrial disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2022 Oct 1;17(1):368.
 
Document last updated March 2024