Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) US Version

• Overview:  Measures cognitive development for preschoolers and young children
• Qualification Level: C
• Age Range:  2:6 – 7:7
• Administration:  Paper-and-pencil
• Completion Time:  Core Subtests: Ages 2:6 to 3:11: 30–45 Minutes, Ages 4:0 to 7:7: 45–60 Minutes
• Scores/Interpretation:  FSIQ, Primary Index Scores and Ancillary Index Scores

The WPPSI–IV is an innovative measure of cognitive development for preschoolers and young children that's rooted in contemporary theory and research that also places a strong emphasis on child-friendly, developmentally appropriate features and includes new processing speed tasks, the addition of working memory subtests, an expanded factor structure. The extensive enhancements are targeted to benefit both children and examiners.

Content & Administration

Based on the most current literature in the field and feedback from experts and clinicians, the WPPSI–IV includes extensive content changes including new processing speed measures, the addition of working memory subtests and an expanded factor structure that includes new and separate visual spatial and fluid reasoning composites for ages 4:0 – 7:7.

New Working Memory subtests

Picture Memory and Zoo Locations, the two new working memory subtests provide age appropriate, engaging tasks for children as young as 2 ½. These reliable and child-friendly measures were specifically designed to help detect emerging working memory difficulties for early intervention.

Expanded and Updated Factor Structure

For both age bands the test structure includes three levels of interpretation: Full scale, Primary Index scale and Ancillary Index scale levels.

The Primary Index scales include:

• Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI)
   
• Visual Spatial Index (VSI)
   
• Working Memory Index (WMI)
   
• Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI)
   
• Processing Speed Index (PSI)

The Ancillary Index scales include:

• Vocabulary Acquisition Index (VAI)
   
• Nonverbal Index (NVI)
   
• General Ability Index (CAI)
   
• Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI)

To view the test framework for each age band.

Features & Benefits

Improved Developmental Appropriateness

With consideration of the unique challenges of assessing young children, the WPPSI–IV was redesigned to strengthen the emphasis on ensuring all aspects of the WPPSI–IV are developmentally appropriate.

New Processing Speed Subtests

The three new game-like subtests offer engaging art and use an ink dauber to indicate responses, which minimizes fine motor demands. Each subtest is built with careful consideration to the cognitive, motor, and language development of young children.

• Bug Search and Animal Coding are adaptations of WPPSI–III Symbol Search and Coding
   
• Cancellation is a more developmentally appropriate adaptation of the WISC–IV version

Simplified Instructions

• Simplified and shortened directions for children
   
• Demonstration, sample and teaching items used whenever possible to ensure clarity of task demands

More Efficient Test Administration

Numerous updates make administration as efficient and user-friendly as possible.

• Testing time is maintained or reduced while construct coverage is increased.
   
• Clear and concise examiner instructions, including shortened discontinue criteria and simplified substitution, invalidation, and proration rules.
   
• Stimulus book contents distributed to maximize portability
   
• New and durable storage solutions for manipulatives, including puzzles.

Improved Clinical Utility

Updates increase the practical usefulness of the WPPSI–IV.

• Age range extended upward to 7 years 7 months
   
• Scoring approach expanded to include strengths and weaknesses analysis at the index level
   
• Reduced expressive language requirements
   
• Updated and new special group studies
   
• Statistical linkage to WIAT®–III
   
• Updated validity studies with other measures including WPPSI–III, WISC®–IV, Bayley–III, DAS™–II, NNAT®2, selected NEPSY®–II subtests, WIAT–III, and select BASC™–2 scales

Updated and Improved Psychometric Properties

• Updated normative sample standardized on 1,700 children ages 2:6–7:7
   
• The normative sample was stratified to match current U.S. census data based on sex, race/ethnicity, parent education level, and geographical region for each group
   
• Improved subtest floors and ceilings
   
• Comparable or improved reliability for subtest and composite scores

Users & Applications

Clinical psychologists, school psychologists, and neuropsychologists working in schools, clinics, hospitals, universities and forensics use the WPPSI–IV to help:

• Identify and qualify students with cognitive delays for special services
   
• Evaluate children for cognitive delays, intellectual disabilities, autism and giftedness
   
• Determine admittance eligibility for private schools
   
• Determine the impact of traumatic brain injury on cognitive functions in children
   
• Determine cognitive ability of children in question during custody hearings

WPPSI-IV Complete Kit #0158984900
includes Admin/Scoring Manual, Tech/Interpretive Manual, 3 Stimulus Books, 25 Record Forms each of two age groups, 25 of each Response Booklet 1, 2 and 3, Scoring Keys, Block Set, Puzzle Set, Zoo Location Set, and 2 Daubers.