Overview of WASI-II (published 2011) Gloria Maccow, Ph.D. Assessment Training Consultant

What is WASI-II? II? Individually administered assessment of intelligence of examinees aged 6 through 90 years. Revision of Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI; Wechsler, 1999). Provides composite scores that estimate Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning abilities. 4 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

What is WASI-II? II? WASI-II is linked to WISC-IV (2003) and WAIS-IV (2008). WASI-II provides tables for estimating IQ score range on the WISC-IV and WAIS-IV. There are 4 subtests on the WASI-II: Block Design, Vocabulary, Matrix Reasoning, Similarities. 5 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Revision Goals Enhance the link to the WISC IV and the WAIS IV (e.g., equivalency of norms; substitution for parallel subtest scores). Increase user-friendliness. Improve psychometric properties. 8 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Copyright 1998 by The Psychological Corporation. All rights reserved.

When to Use WASI-II II Obtain estimates of IQ scores rapidly and efficiently when administration of a full battery is neither feasible nor necessary. Screen to determine if an in-depth evaluation is necessary. Reevaluate individuals who previously received a comprehensive evaluation when time available for retesting is limited. 10 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

When to Use WASI-II II Obtain estimates of current cognitive functioning for individuals referred for psychiatric, psychological, or psychoeducational evaluations. Obtain estimates of IQ scores for vocational and rehabilitation purposes. Obtain estimates of IQ scores for research purposes, such as pre-experimental matching of cognitive ability. NOTE: In general, the WASI II FSIQ should not be used for legal, judicial, or quasi-legal purposes (e.g., a statutorily mandated diagnosis or determination of a disability). 11 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Block Design (13 items) The Block Design subtest is designed to measure the ability to analyze and synthesize abstract visual stimuli. A total of 9 items from the WASI were retained and 4 new items were added to improve the floor and ceiling of the subtest. While viewing a constructed model or a picture in the Stimulus Book, the examinee uses redand-white blocks to re-create the design within a specified time limit. 17 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Vocabulary (31 items) The Vocabulary subtest includes 3 picture items and 28 verbal items. For picture items, the examinee names the object presented visually. For verbal items, the examinee defines words that are presented visually and orally. Vocabulary is designed to measure an examinee s word knowledge and verbal concept formation. 18 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Vocabulary-Changes A total of 20 items were retained from the WASI, and 8 new verbal items were added. Art for the retained picture items was updated. The scoring criteria for the retained items were also revised. In addition, the starting items are now scored 2 or 0; rather than 2, 1, or 0; to reduce the chance of reversal and to shorten testing time. 19 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Matrix Reasoning (30 items) The examinee views an incomplete matrix or series and selects the response option that completes the matrix or series. The subtest taps fluid intelligence, broad visual intelligence, classification and spatial ability, knowledge of part whole relationships, simultaneous processing, and perceptual organization. A total of 23 items from the WASI were retained (some had minor art modifications), and 7 new items were added. 20 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Similarities (24 items) The Similarities subtest is similar to the Similarities subtests in the WISC IV and the WAIS IV, except that the WASI II subtest includes low-end picture items to extend the floor of the scale. For the picture items (Items 1 3), the examinee selects the option that shares a common characteristic with the target objects. For the verbal items (Items 4 24), the examinee is presented two words that represent common objects or concepts and describes how they are similar. The Similarities subtest is designed to measure verbal concept formation and reasoning. 21 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Similarities Changes A total of 13 items from the WASI were retained (some had minor modifications), and 11 are new. The scoring criteria for the retained items were revised. An instructional prompt has been added to the first two verbal items (Items 4 and 5) to ensure the examinee understands the task of the subtest (i.e., identifying similarities as opposed to defining each word). 22 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Reliability Subtest/ Composite Average r a Child Sample Average r a Adult Sample BD.89.91 VC.91.92 MR.87.90 SI.89.91 VCI.94.95 PRI.92.94 FSIQ 4.96.97 FSIQ 2.93.94 a Average reliability coefficients were calculated with Fisher s z transformation. 33 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Concurrent Validity Concurrent validity was established with measures of intelligence: WASI WISC IV WAIS IV KBIT 2 measures of achievement Wechsler Fundamentals: Academic Skills 34 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis Model AGFI RMSEA CFI TLI Total Sample (N=2,300) One-Factor.711.245.926 Two-Factor.994.029.999.986 Child Sample (N = 1,100) One-Factor.738.231.930 Two-Factor.999.000 1.000 1.011 Adult Sample (N = 1,200) One-Factor.684.258.923 Two-Factor.985.046.999.969 35 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Special Group Studies Subtest/ Composite Intellectual Disability- Mild Matched Control Group Diff. p value Std. Diff. BD 29.9 50.1 20.22 <.01 2.39 VC 28.3 49.1 20.78 <.01 3.00 MR 30.0 48.4 18.36 <.01 2.28 SI 30.6 49.5 18.89 <.01 2.44 VCI 66.7 98.8 32.19 <.01 3.00 PRI 65.9 98.6 32.72 <.01 2.61 FSIQ 4 63.9 98.5 34.56 <.01 3.31 FSIQ 2 65.1 97.7 32.58 <.01 3.28 N = 36 a The Standard Difference is the difference of the two test means divided by the square root of the pooled variance, computed using Cohen s (1996) Formula 10.4. 37 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Customer Service 1-800-627-7271 (USA) 1-866-335-8418 (Canada) Webinar-Specific Questions Gloria Maccow, Ph.D. gloria.maccow@pearson.com Ph 724 Ph 724-766 766-7692 7692 www.psychcorp.com