Reply to WPPSI/WISC Myths

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[quote=Anonymous]I will begin by saying I am no fan of this site.  I have worked in admissions for many years, and have encountered dozens and dozens of parents who have been needlessly worried by misinformation they read here.  The majority of the stress seems to be coming from what they hear about the WPPSI and the WISC, and specifically what the scores mean and how the schools use them.  I thought I would add my two cents.  I am not planning on coming back to read replies, as I have seen how vitriolic it can get and I do not see what good it would do to have yet another heated dialogue on this subject.  I do hope, however, that this helps some parents take a deep breath and realize there is more than one way to look at these assessments.

Obviously, all schools use the WPPSI and WISC a bit differently, but I have found the following to be true:

1. Not all, or even most, successful applicants have scores &gt; 99%ile.  I am endlessly amused by the number of 99.8%ile kids I hear about here.  They are rare.  I know many of you are focused on the most exclusive schools, and I can say that I have seen students not offered admission to these programs that were 99+%ile, and others who were admitted who were in the 75-80%ile (and were not legacies, siblings, politicos, or otherwise famous families).  Scores are not the end-all and be-all.

2. There are testers who consistently give students very high scores.  If parents have figured this out, than you best believe admissions offices have as well, and take it into consideration when weighing test results.  Also, keep in mind, if what the schools observe at play days/visits/on report cards does not seem to match up with what the WPPSI/WISC shows, it will raise concerns.

3. The behavioral observations on the test and play days/visits are as or more important to me than whether or not than the student has superior or very superior scores.  I would take a high-average student who has a good attitude, is hard working, and has reasonable parents over a very-superior student (according to the testing) who is unmotivated, indulged, or difficult any day of the week.  I am convinced that work ethic and attitude are, in general, much better indicators of long-term success than a WISC score.

4. That said, scores do have importance.  If there is a 30 point discrepancy between, say, VIQ and PIQ, I might want to investigate a little more why this may be and how it might impact the child.  If the scores are all consistently below average, moreover, I would have some concerns.

5. Finally, and PLEASE TAKE NOTE, it is quite evident to an experienced tester when a child has been prepped.  Prepping is not allowed for the WPPSI and WISC, and if a tester suspects prepping, they are ethically obligated to indicate this, and schools will disregard the results (many schools say this on their websites).  Even in a case where the tester and/or school do not discover the child has been prepped, the practice can prove to be a great disservice to the child.  Most admissions offices, believe it or not, are genuinely looking to serve children and families, as well as their teachers and staff, well, by identifying good fits.  Inflated or otherwise inaccurate test scores do not help them do this.  Furthermore, the companies that are selling prep materials are charging ridiculous prices and preying on the fears and insecurities of concerned parents who only want the best for their children. (Can you tell I am a bit upset with such companies??)

The bottom line is, admissions offices are trying to find students who will be a good match for their program, and who teachers will enjoy teaching.  WPPSI and WISC scores are only one part of the equation they look at to determine this.

I hope that some of what I've said helps put your fears at ease.  There are so many wonderful schools in this area that do a fabulous job preparing kids for the next step.  I urge you to think outside the box, resist giving into the anxiety that this site attempts to create, and remember that you have a lovely child who, if you apply to appropriate schools, will end up in a place that supports and encourages them to not only achieve academically, but socially and emotionally as well.
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