Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II)

David Wechsler, PhD

• Brief measure of an individual’s verbal, nonverbal, and general cognitive ability.
• Age Range:  Individuals 6:0–90:11
• Completion Time:  Four-subtest form, 30 minutes; Two-subtest form, 15 minutes
• Scores/Interpretation:  VCI, PRI, and FSIQ scores (FSIQ–4 and FSIQ–2)
• Scoring Options:  Manual scoring
• Publication Date:  2011

The WASI–II, a revision of the WASI, provides a brief, reliable measure of cognitive ability for use in clinical, educational, and research settings. This revision maintains the format and structure of the WASI while offering new content and improvements to provide greater clinical utility and efficiency.

Uses & Applications

Psychologists and researchers can use this quick and reliable measure when screening for intellectual disabilities or intellectual giftedness, or for other purposes:

• Screen to determine if in-depth intellectual assessment is needed
   
• Reassess after a comprehensive evaluation
   
• Estimate a range of FSIQ scores on comprehensive batteries
   
• Assess cognitive functioning of individuals referred for psychiatric evaluations
   
• Measure IQ scores for vocational, rehabilitation, or research purposes
   
• Compare results to the Wechsler Family Fundamentals: Academic Skills to determine a student’s academic strengths and needs based on an ability-achievement discrepancy analysis

Content & Administration

The WASI–II builds on the strength of the WASI by providing updated versions of the WASI Vocabulary, Similarities, Block Design and Matrix Reasoning subtests, flexible administration options (i.e., four- or two-subtest versions), and strengthened connections with the WISC®–IV and WAIS®–IV.

Updated Subtests

The WASI-II subtests have been updated to provide a variety of improvements including shortened and streamlined instructions, better floors and ceilings, as well as item content that more closely mirrors that of the WISC–IV and the WAIS–IV.

Flexible Administration Options

The WASI–II provides flexible administration options. The four-subtest form can be administered in just 30 minutes and the two-subtest form can be given in about 15 minutes.

Four-Subtest Form
(Vocabulary, Similarities, Block Design, Matrix Reasoning) provides:

• FSIQ–4 score: Estimate of general cognitive ability
• VCI score: Measure of crystallized abilities
• PRI score: Measure of nonverbal fluid abilities and visuomotor/coordination skills

Two-Subtest Form
(Vocabulary and Matrix Reasoning) provides:

• FSIQ–2 score: Estimate of general cognitive ability

Strengthened Connections with the WISC–IV and WAIS–IV

The strengthened connections between the WASI–II and the comprehensive Wechsler intelligence scales result in a stronger empirical foundation for using the instruments together, and offer practical benefits that help you save time. The WASI–II subtests and items have been revised to more closely parallel their counterparts in the WISC–IV and WAIS–IV. Linking studies have been conducted with the WAIS–IV and the WISC–IV to establish equivalency and to improve comparability with the comprehensive Wechsler scales’ composite scores. Taken together, these improvements enhance the joint use of the WASI–II and the comprehensive scales.

The WASI–II can be used in conjunction with the comprehensive Wechsler scales as a screening instrument to determine if in-depth intellectual assessment is necessary, or as a reevaluation tool to follow up on comprehensive testing. If after screening, the WASI–II results indicate comprehensive intellectual assessment is needed, the WASI–II subtest scores can be substituted for the four corresponding subtest scores on the WISC–IV or WAIS–IV, which makes administration of those four subtests from the WISC–IV and WAIS–IV unnecessary. That is, after administering the WASI–II, administering only six more subtests (rather than ten) from the comprehensive measure allows you to derive all WISC–IV or WAIS–IV composite scores. If the WASI–II is used as a reevaluation tool, it provides comparable FSIQ, VCI, and PRI scores to ensure interpretation of change over time is clear and meaningful.

WASI-II Complete Kit
Includes Manual, Stimulus Booklet, 25 Record Forms, and set of 9 blocks in canvas