Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
Encyclopedia
The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Second Edition (WIAT-II; Wechsler, 2005) developed by David Wechsler
, assesses the academic achievement of children, adolescents, college students and adults, aged 4 through 85. The test enables the assessment of a broad range of academics skills or only a particular area of need. The WIAT-II is a revision of the original WIAT (The Psychological Corporation, 1992). The suggested use of the WIAT-II is in settings such as schools, clinics, private practices, and residential treatment facilities. These facilities can use the WIAT-II in order to assist with diagnosis, eligibility, placement, and decisions regarding interventions. It is encouraged to use this assessment with behavioural observation, history, and additional measures. There are four basic scales: Reading, Math, Writing, and Oral Language. Within these scales there is a total of 9 sub-test scores.
There are a small number of differences between the versions of the subtests in the UK and US as a result of the Anglicisation
process. These include changes to picture items, the replacing of Americanisms and simple spelling differences. The WIAT-III US edition was published in 2009 for use with those aged 4 through to 50 years 11 months. It includes 16 subtests which measure 8 areas of achievement. The WIAT-III subtests and items consist of 68% new items and 32% revised items. This edition features three new subtests: Oral Reading, Math Fluency and Early Reading Skills.
Math
Written Language
Oral Language
The WIAT-III US consists of 16 subtests including several not featured in the second edition: Oral Reading Fluency, Math Problem Solving, Math Fluency Addition /Subtraction /Multiplication, Early Reading Skills, Alphabet Writing Fluency, Sentence Composition and Essay Composition. The test takes 45-90 minutes to administer depending on the age of the participant. The mean score for the WIAT-II is 100 with a standard deviation of 15, and the scores on the test may range from 40 to 160. 68% of participants in the UK standardisation sample obtained scores of 85-115 and 95% obtained scores of 70-130.
WIAT–II has been empirically linked with the WISC
–IV, the WPPSI–III, and the WAIS
–III. These relationships provide valid discrepancy scores to allow comparisons between achievement and ability. The WIAT-II UK was standardised between 2003-2004 as part of the WISC-IV standardisation with 892 individuals aged 4-16years 11 months (US norms are available up to age 85). The UK project was conducted at City University
by Professor John Rust and Professor Susan Golombok. The WAIT-II standardisation also includes several special group studies including those with learning difficulties, ADHD, emotional disturbance, hearing impairments, speech and language impairments and those who are classed as gifted.
The WIAT-III US was standardised on 3,000 students and adults aged 4-19:11. Linking studies were carried out with the WAIS
-IV, WISC
-IV, WPPSI-III, WMV, and DAS-II with correlations ranging from .60-.82. Special group studies include those with learning difficulties in reading, writing and math, expressive language disorder and mild intellectual difficulties.
Like all assessment instruments, the WIAT-II has certain limitations. Academic achievement can be conceptualised and assessed in many different ways. As a result, it is impossible to develop an instrument that assesses all components of achievement within the constraints of a typical standardised assessment situation. The WIAT-II measures aspects of the learning process that take place in the traditional academic setting in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and oral language. Although the WIAT-II item content encompasses a wide range of skills and concepts, it was not designed as a measure of academic giftedness in older adolescents or adults.
David Wechsler
David "Wex" Wechsler was a leading American psychologist. He developed well-known intelligence scales, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children .-Biography:...
, assesses the academic achievement of children, adolescents, college students and adults, aged 4 through 85. The test enables the assessment of a broad range of academics skills or only a particular area of need. The WIAT-II is a revision of the original WIAT (The Psychological Corporation, 1992). The suggested use of the WIAT-II is in settings such as schools, clinics, private practices, and residential treatment facilities. These facilities can use the WIAT-II in order to assist with diagnosis, eligibility, placement, and decisions regarding interventions. It is encouraged to use this assessment with behavioural observation, history, and additional measures. There are four basic scales: Reading, Math, Writing, and Oral Language. Within these scales there is a total of 9 sub-test scores.
History
The first WIAT was published in 1992 and was standardised in the UK and published as the WORD, WOND and WOLD. It was revised in 2001 with the UK version following in 2005. Each revision has brought with it several updates and changes. The WIAT-II contains the basic content that formed the original version and retains its linkage with the Wechsler Scales. It contains several new items in each subtest and updated content to reflect current curriculum standards and strengthen the theoretical base. It has also strengthened the link between assessment and intervention by evaluating both the product and the process that contribute to skills acquisition. The age range has been lowered to 4 years 0 months in order to facilitate early identification and intervention of young children who may struggle academically.There are a small number of differences between the versions of the subtests in the UK and US as a result of the Anglicisation
Anglicisation
Anglicisation, or anglicization , is the process of converting verbal or written elements of any other language into a form that is more comprehensible to an English speaker, or, more generally, of altering something such that it becomes English in form or character.The term most often refers to...
process. These include changes to picture items, the replacing of Americanisms and simple spelling differences. The WIAT-III US edition was published in 2009 for use with those aged 4 through to 50 years 11 months. It includes 16 subtests which measure 8 areas of achievement. The WIAT-III subtests and items consist of 68% new items and 32% revised items. This edition features three new subtests: Oral Reading, Math Fluency and Early Reading Skills.
Test Format
Reading- Word Reading: assesses pre-reading (phonological awareness) and decoding skills (naming letters, phonological skills [working with sounds in words], reading words from lists).
- Reading Comprehension: assesses types of reading comprehension skills taught in the classroom or used in everyday life (matching words to pictures, reading sentences aloud, orally answering oral questions about reading passages, silent reading speed).
- Pseudoword (phonetic) Decoding: assesses the ability to apply phonetic decoding skills. (Reading nonsense words aloud from a list [phonetic word attack]).
Math
- Numerical Operations: evaluates the ability to identify and write numbers ( e.g. counting, and solving paper & pencil computations).
- Math Reasoning: assess the ability to reason mathematically ( e.g. counting, identifying shapes, and solving verbally framed "word problems" [presented both orally and either written or in illustration]).
Written Language
- Spelling: evaluates the ability to spell (written spelling of dictated letters, sounds and words that are read in sentences).
- Written Expression: assesses the writing process (writing letters and words as quickly as possible, writing sentences, and writing a paragraph or essay).
Oral Language
- Listening Comprehension: measures the ability to listen for details (multiple-choice matching of pictures to spoken words).
- Oral Expression: assesses general ability to use oral language effectively (repeating sentences, generating lists, describing scenes and pictured activities).
The WIAT-III US consists of 16 subtests including several not featured in the second edition: Oral Reading Fluency, Math Problem Solving, Math Fluency Addition /Subtraction /Multiplication, Early Reading Skills, Alphabet Writing Fluency, Sentence Composition and Essay Composition. The test takes 45-90 minutes to administer depending on the age of the participant. The mean score for the WIAT-II is 100 with a standard deviation of 15, and the scores on the test may range from 40 to 160. 68% of participants in the UK standardisation sample obtained scores of 85-115 and 95% obtained scores of 70-130.
Psychometric Properties
- Internal consistencyInternal consistencyIn statistics and research, internal consistency is typically a measure based on the correlations between different items on the same test . It measures whether several items that propose to measure the same general construct produce similar scores...
ranges from 0.80-0.98. - Test-retest reliabilityReliabilityIn general, reliability is the ability of a person or system to perform and maintain its functions in routine circumstances, as well as hostile or unexpected circumstances.Reliability may refer to:...
ranges from 0.85-0.98.
WIAT–II has been empirically linked with the WISC
WISC
WISC may refer to:* Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children* WISC-TV, a television station licensed to Madison, Wisconsin, United States* Wisconsin Integrally Synchronized Computer* writable instruction set computer...
–IV, the WPPSI–III, and the WAIS
WAIS
WAIS may refer to:* West Antarctic Ice Sheet* Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale* Wide area information server * WAIS , a radio station licensed to Buchtel, Ohio, United States...
–III. These relationships provide valid discrepancy scores to allow comparisons between achievement and ability. The WIAT-II UK was standardised between 2003-2004 as part of the WISC-IV standardisation with 892 individuals aged 4-16years 11 months (US norms are available up to age 85). The UK project was conducted at City University
City University
City University may refer to:*City University London*City University of Hong Kong*City University of New York*City University of Seattle*University City of Caracas*City University of Pakistan*City University of MacauOther city universities:...
by Professor John Rust and Professor Susan Golombok. The WAIT-II standardisation also includes several special group studies including those with learning difficulties, ADHD, emotional disturbance, hearing impairments, speech and language impairments and those who are classed as gifted.
The WIAT-III US was standardised on 3,000 students and adults aged 4-19:11. Linking studies were carried out with the WAIS
WAIS
WAIS may refer to:* West Antarctic Ice Sheet* Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale* Wide area information server * WAIS , a radio station licensed to Buchtel, Ohio, United States...
-IV, WISC
WISC
WISC may refer to:* Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children* WISC-TV, a television station licensed to Madison, Wisconsin, United States* Wisconsin Integrally Synchronized Computer* writable instruction set computer...
-IV, WPPSI-III, WMV, and DAS-II with correlations ranging from .60-.82. Special group studies include those with learning difficulties in reading, writing and math, expressive language disorder and mild intellectual difficulties.
Uses
The WIAT-II is suitable for use in clinical, educational and research settings. It can be used to identify the academic strengths and weaknesses individuals possess as well as inform and aid intervention planning. An individually administered achievement test such as the WIAT-II can be used in a variety of settings where there is concern over educational progress. The WIAT-II can provide meaningful information to assist with diagnostic, eligibility, placement, and intervention decisions. Best practice suggests the results obtained from the WIAT-II should be interpreted in combination with the evaluation and review of the individual’s background, personality, current emotional functioning, and attention and motivation levels.Like all assessment instruments, the WIAT-II has certain limitations. Academic achievement can be conceptualised and assessed in many different ways. As a result, it is impossible to develop an instrument that assesses all components of achievement within the constraints of a typical standardised assessment situation. The WIAT-II measures aspects of the learning process that take place in the traditional academic setting in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and oral language. Although the WIAT-II item content encompasses a wide range of skills and concepts, it was not designed as a measure of academic giftedness in older adolescents or adults.
Translations
There have been several adaptations of the WIAT-II for use with; Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and French Canadian populations.See also
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for ChildrenWechsler Intelligence Scale for ChildrenThe Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children , developed by Dr. David Wechsler, is an individually administered intelligence test for children between the ages of 6 and 16 inclusive that can be completed without reading or writing...
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence ScaleWechsler Adult Intelligence ScaleThe Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale intelligence quotient tests are the primary clinical instruments used to measure adult and adolescent intelligence. The original WAIS was published in February 1955 by David Wechsler, as a revision of the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale...
- WPPSI
- Cognitive testCognitive testCognitive tests are assessments of the cognitive capabilities of humans and animals. Tests administered to humans include various forms of IQ tests; those administered to animals include the mirror test and the T maze test...
- Intelligence quotientIntelligence quotientAn intelligence quotient, or IQ, is a score derived from one of several different standardized tests designed to assess intelligence. When modern IQ tests are constructed, the mean score within an age group is set to 100 and the standard deviation to 15...
External links
- http://www.psychometrics.cam.ac.uk/ Psychometric Centre, University of Cambridge