WPPSI-III /WISC-IV

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me whether I can use last year's WPPSI-III test results for a kindergarden application for 2009-2010?

Last December, my daughter (then on the cusp of four) took the WPPSI-III and scored well. She is now enrolled in a pre-K program which I am not too thrilled about, so I've decided to apply for K admissions elsewhere (at two schools). The admissions director at one of them, where she was wait-listed this spring, has told me that a new test is unnecessary. But the other school only admits from K onward, so I'm wondering whether using a WPPSI result (even a solid performance) would be viewed unfavorably.

I guess what I'm really asking is what the purpose of the test is -- whether it is used primarily to determine a general cut-off line, or whether each percentage point and fraction bears significance.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about admissions but I am a psychologist and we do not retest a child for 4-years using the same test due to test-retest reliability (that is practice effects may impact score). Sorry for the jargon.

[Anonymous]

A child can't retake the WPPSI or WISC twice in a 12 month period. So, if your child did the test during last admission season, the scores can still be used for this one. However, if your child did the test in the late summer or early fall of last year, you may be asked to do it again in late December or early January because by then, the test will be more than a year old and most admission offices want recent test results.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps I ought to clarify:

Last year DC took WPSCII at age 3. This year she would be taking a WISC at age 4, so technically not a retest in either sense. There will have been a full year between the two tests.

Since you are a pyschologist, may I ask whether test results generally remain consistent in early childhood (which would bolster the argument against another test)? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

scores generally stay consistent assuming they were administered correctly. Though, every test allows for some room of measurement error and typically allows for +/- 5 points

[Anonymous]

Isn't the WISC only for ages six and up? That was my understanding, anyway.

[Anonymous]

You cannot get your child tested with the WISC-IV until they turn 6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps I ought to clarify:

Last year DC took WPSCII at age 3. This year she would be taking a WISC at age 4, so technically not a retest in either sense. There will have been a full year between the two tests.

Since you are a pyschologist, may I ask whether test results generally remain consistent in early childhood (which would bolster the argument against another test)? Thank you!

Another psychologist here. I think your daughter did the short form of the WPPSI, and now would be old enough for the full WPPSI. The WISC doesn't start until age 6. If I were an admissions officer, I would want the full version, which gives a lot more information.

The industry standard, as it were, for re-testing with the same test is that a minimum of 12 months must pass.