WPPSI Practice Test?

[Anonymous]

DS did horribly on the WPPSI a year ago - he had just turned 6. He was anxious, distracted, the testing went on for four gruiling days (one hour per day) the tester herself was quite odd, her home was messy and loud..... Anyhow, can anyone recommend how to best prep for the test? are there practice tests out there????
Also, can you share what you paid for your testing?

[Anonymous]

Yuck. Spend your efforts researching and finding a better tester.

[Anonymous]

Use one of the testers recommended by the schools you're applying to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS did horribly on the WPPSI a year ago - he had just turned 6. He was anxious, distracted, the testing went on for four gruiling days (one hour per day) the tester herself was quite odd, her home was messy and loud..... Anyhow, can anyone recommend how to best prep for the test? are there practice tests out there????
Also, can you share what you paid for your testing?

This does not make sense at all. First, while the WPPSI can be used on a six-year-old, only a fairly low-functioning child would get the WPPSI instead of the WISC. Second, there's no way a WPPSI administration would take four hours - unless there was a 20 minute break in the middle of each hour. If this story is true, I agree with the PP's: put your effort into finding a reputable, competent tester.

[Anonymous]

Since when is the WPPSI just for low-functioning or very young children??
It is my understanding that it is a standard IQ test defined this way - "The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is an intelligence test designed for children ages 2 years 6 months to 7 years".

What is the main difference btwn the WISC and WPPSI then?

[Anonymous]

This is why so many people claim scores of 99. You're not supposed to study or practice for it.

[Anonymous]

Something is really off here - the WPPSI is usually done in one shot and takes an hour or so (may 1.5 hours). I would deifnitely find a new tester. On your cost quesiton - it is about 300 to 400, if I rememebr correctly. The WISC will be more. I am not sure you can even take the WPPSI if your DC is now 7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since when is the WPPSI just for low-functioning or very young children??
It is my understanding that it is a standard IQ test defined this way - "The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is an intelligence test designed for children ages 2 years 6 months to 7 years".

What is the main difference btwn the WISC and WPPSI then?

It does go up through 6 years old, but it is not the most appropriate test for typically functioning 6-year-olds. The items on the subtests, even at the end, are not hard enough for kids at that age, so you get a weird ceiling effect where even a near-perfect performance will earn relatively low (e.g., not much above average) score. After the age of 6 the WISC is the better choice. The WPPSI is fine for kids under the age of 6 (not just very young children).

I'm a psychologist, and I always start with the WISC for a 6-year-old. Only if s/he is struggling would I switch to the WPPSI (which has more structure and clearer directions/questions).

[Anonymous]

Oh my goodness OP,

There are so many things wrong with this scenario. The WPPSI/WISC is an eval of cognitive ability (like an IQ test) and not a test of Achievement (like an SAT.) There really isn't anything to study for.

It sounds like your child needs a better tester in an environment where he isn't distracted and overwhelmed. As PP's have said, this is a 1.5 hour test and is a small part of the application process. Please don't put your son through a horrible 4 hour experience like this again