Whenever a major intelligence or achievement test is revised, there is always renewed interest in the underlying structure of the test as well as a renewed interest in the scoring, administration, and interpretation changes. In this interview, Amy Gabel discusses the most recent revision of the "Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth…

Validation research for educational achievement tests is often limited to an examination of intended test score interpretations. This article calls for an expansion of validation research in three dimensions. First, validation must attend to actual test use and its consequences, not just score meaning. Second, validation must attend to unintended…

The current study examines the views of experts in the science of mental abilities about the primacy and uniqueness of "g" and the social implications of ability testing, and compares their responses to the views of a group of non-expert psychologists. Results indicate expert consensus that "g" is an important, non-trivial determinant (or at least…

A. S. Kaufman (1994) recommended that clinicians substitute Symbol Search, a new subtest, for the Coding subtest when calculating Performance and Full Scale IQs on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III. Tables are provided for accurate derivation of IQs, percentile ranks, and confidence intervals when this substitution is made. (SLD)

Results of profile analysis via multidimensional scaling (PAMS), a technique for studying the most prominent profiles in a battery of measures, are reported for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised (WAIS) and the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). PAMS profiles and the methodological features of the PAMS approach are discussed. (SLD)

Inspection of the factor structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III for four age groups from the standardization sample indicated a hierarchical arrangement of abilities when both two-factor and four-factor solutions were used. Both solutions indicated a strong general intelligence factor at all age levels studied. (SLD)

The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children's (K-ABC) systematic effort to achieve fairness for minorities and exceptional children in the assessment process is appealing, but potential for abuse is real. As the K-ABC has reduced the black/white IQ discrepancy, it should have a positive and stimulating effect on this persistent issue in…

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Third Edition (WAIS-III; D. Wechsler, 1997a) and the Wechsler Memory Scale--Third Edition (WMS-III; D. Wechsler, 1997b) are 2 of the most frequently used measures in psychology and neuropsychology. To facilitate the diagnostic use of these measures in the clinical decision-making process, this article…

Reliability of subtest composites corresponding to 46 abilities and influences presented by Kaufman (1979) was examined for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children using standardization sample data (ages 6, 11, and 16). Increasing composite reliability was associated with the number of subtests and inclusion of Verbal Scale subtests in the…

The concept of aptitude is reviewed, and the uses and misuses of aptitude tests are considered. Many aptitude tests measure general ability plus certain more specialized abilities that are important for success in particular educational programs. Aptitude tests can be subdivided into: (1) group-administered aptitude tests, such as the Scholastic…

Validity studies conducted with the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition (SB:FE) are reviewed. Results support its validity as a measure of general mental ability and that it can distinguish between groups of youngsters with differing intellectual abilities. Recommendations are made for use of the SB:FE. (SLD)

Procedures recommended in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Third Edition) (WISC-III) manual for factorial estimation may be replaced by new methods using the computer and a spreadsheet program. Constants and formulas needed to draft a spreadsheet program for estimating the factors using WISC-III scaled scores are presented. (SLD)

Non-verbal tests are paper-and-pencil tests that are designed to measure cognitive processes that do not involve verbal language. Such tests use shapes, patterns, diagrams, and sequences to measure general intellectual skills of a non-verbal nature. The use of such tests in schools is described. Performance tests using concrete apparatus are…

There is a resurgence of scientific and public interest and controversy centering on four interrelated themes: (1) intelligence testing; (2) racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences in measured IQ; (3) genetic and environmental influences on abilities; and (4) the role of scientific research in social policy. Given the polarization of views,…

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) developed for use in Nigeria was compared with the Cognitive Abilities Test (COGAT), a group intelligence test developed in the United States, using 210 Nigerian high school students. Results suggest that the COGAT is not suitable for use in Nigeria. (SLD)