WPPSI Test (a very long post)

Sean Pediatrician strongly recommended all kids to go thru the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) test prior to Primary One. This is an intelligence test designed for children ages 2 years 6 months to 7 years 3 months developed by David Wechsler in 1967. It is a descendent of the earlier Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children tests.

For the benefit of parents who do not know about this, I shall elaborate on it….

The WPPSI–III is composed of 14 subtests.

Block Design - While viewing a constructed model or a picture in a Stimulus Book, the child uses one- or two-colour blocks to re-create the design within a specified time limit.

Information - For Picture Items, the child responds to a question by choosing a picture from four response options. For Verbal Items, the child answers questions that address a broad range of general knowledge topics.

Matrix Reasoning - The child looks at an incomplete matrix and selects the missing portion from 4 or 5 response options.

Vocabulary - For Picture Items, the child names pictures that are displayed in a Stimulus Book. For Verbal Items, the child gives definitions for words that the examiner reads aloud.

Picture Concepts - The child is presented with two or three rows of pictures and chooses one picture from each row to form a group with a common characteristic.

Symbol Search - The child scans a search group and indicates whether a target symbol matches any of the symbols in the search group.

Word Reasoning - The child is asked to identify the common concept being described in a series of increasingly specific clues.

Coding - The child copies symbols that are paired with simple geometric shapes. Using a key, the child draws each symbol in its corresponding shape.

Comprehension - The child answers questions based on his or her understanding of general principles and social situations.

Picture Completion - The child views a picture and then points to or names the important missing part.

Similarities - The child is read an incomplete sentence containing two concepts that share a common characteristic. The child is asked to complete the sentence by providing a response that reflects the shared characteristic.

Receptive Vocabulary - The child looks at a group of four pictures and points to the one the examiner names aloud.

Object Assembly - The child is presented with the pieces of a puzzle in a standard arrangement and fits the pieces together to form a meaningful whole within 90 seconds.

Picture Naming - The child names pictures that are displayed in a Stimulus Book.
Scoring

The WPPSI–III provides Verbal and Performance IQ scores as well as the Full Scale IQ. In addition, the Processing Speed Quotient (known as the Processing Speed Index on previous Wechsler scales) can be derived for children aged 4:0 - 7:3, and a General Language Composite can be determined for children in both age bands (2:6–3:11 & 4:0–7:3). Children in the 2:6-3:11 age band are administered only five of the subtests: Receptive Vocabulary, Block Design, Information, Object Assembly, and Picture Naming.

Quotient and Composite scores have a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Subtest scaled scores have a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3. For Quotient and Composite scores,

below 69 is Extremely Low,
70-79 is Borderline,
80-89 is Low Average,
90-109 is Average,
110-119 is High Average,
120-129 is Superior,
130+ is Very Superior.

This is true for all Wechsler Scales. This test can be taken in PSY Guidance Centre. Gleneagles Medical Centre. #09-09 conducted by David Onn. He is a clinical child psychologist.


After much contemplation, we sent him. Yes, this is one of the few expenditure on kiddos that I actually contemplated, not so much of the cost $450, but the so call disappointment that follow should his IQ level falls below average. I guess all parents out there would want their kids to be brillant and above average. To be honest, I am no exception. I want to give them the best headstart before their mainstream school. Be it the cost, within my financial capacity, I'll send them if I think it will help them.


The report came back last week. Deep down in me, I somehow knew that Sean should be alright, even though he is lazy in his homework and worksheet. Yes, he did better than I expected. Extract from the report: “Sean obtained a Full Scale IQ of 126, placing him in Wechsler Superior range of intellectual functioning. His score is 96th percentile rank compare to other children of his age. “

I am very contented with this result. However, the psychologist, Mr Onn told me to read MORE to him! I was like… I am currently reading a lot to him, his knowledge is already very wide…. Among other things, I was told to improve on his vocab. Mr Onn told me that intellegence level is only say, 5-10% from parents genes, the rest is from enviromental factors. So parents have to be hands-on in their involvement with their children.

With this report and pointers from Mr Onn, I am in a better position to guide Sean in his mental and physical development. Like his Ped, I also strongly recommend parents to send kids to this test so as to best manage our expectations and to guide the kiddos. After knowing Sean should be relatively doing ok for his Pri 1.... I can work for at least two more years before Shayne goes to Primary One.