The Wechsler IQ test is a test that helps to measure cognitive abilities and intelligence. It has evolved over time, but the original Wechsler Intelligence Scales were developed by Dr. David Wechsler in 1939. It was initially called the Wechsler Bellevue Intelligence Scale, but it was revised 15 years later and renamed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS).
Wechsler is a Romanian-American psychologist who was born on Jan 12, 1896, in Romania. His family relocated to the states in New York when he was just a boy. He earned a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in 1917. By 1925, his further delve into education earned him a Ph.D. It was Robert S. Woodworth that first took a chance on the young psychologist. Woodworth was a big shot in the United States Army, and he was overwhelmed by the number of soldiers that were experiencing mental issues after the war. Working alongside Charles Spearman and Karl Pearson, Wechsler was to develop testing to help the army screen new draftees. However, things took a very different turn.
and his initial test was the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale. The tests were developed after Dr. Wechsler’s realization that existing intelligence tests for adults were merely adaptations of testing used for children, and had little validity for adults.
Over time the test evolved into three separate versions used for different age groups. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) is used for adults, while the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) is used for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is used for children between the ages of 4 and 6.5. In some cases of intellectual disabilities, the WISC may be used to help clinicians understand the individual’s lowest level of knowledge.
Purpose of the Wechsler IQ Test
The most common purpose of the test is to identify intelligence and cognitive performance, which is often helpful in identifying intellectual disabilities and overall cognitive function in children and adults. Scores for the test range from 0 to 160. An average IQ would be considered someone who scores between 90 and 109, with 100 being the mean. To be considered of superior intelligence, one would need to score 130 or higher. The test is broken down into primary and ancillary index scales, and scores for Full Scale IQ based on the age of the child taking the test.
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
The WPPSI test is exactly what it sounds like, a measure of intelligence and cognitive development for young children. The test is designed primarily for children between the ages of 4 and 6.5, though some of the subtests can be used for children as young as 2.5 and up to just over 7.5 years old. For children under the age of 4, their IQ score is derived from three test indices:
- Verbal Comprehension
- Visual Spatial
- Working Memory
For children over four in this range, their IQ score is made up of the following indices:
- Verbal Comprehension
- Visual Spatial
- Fluid Reasoning
- Working Memory
- Processing Speed
Learn more about the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Intelligence Scale.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
The typical WISC test administration lasts between 45-65 minutes but can be shorter or longer depending on the procedures used and the number of indices tested. These tests are used to generate an IQ score (officially referred to now as a Full Scale IQ) in children between the ages of 6-16. Like the other Wechsler Test variations, the WISC utilizes four indexes to measure the child’s cognitive abilities which include the Verbal Comprehension Index, Visual Spatial Index, Fluid Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and Processing Speed Index.
Learn more about the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale provides four individual index scores for the major components of intelligence:
- Verbal Comprehension Index
- Perceptual Reasoning Index
- Working Memory Index
- Processing Speed Index
The subtests for each index are compiled to derive two broader intelligence scores – Full Scale IQ and General Ability Index. The Full Scale IQ is comprised of the scores from all four indexes while the General Ability Index includes only the six subtests related to the Verbal Comprehension Index and the Perceptual Reasoning Index. The Wechsler IQ test has 10 core and 5 supplemental subtests divided into separate sections. A score is given for each subtest, and then it is averaged into an overall Full Scale IQ. The table below will help show you how the scores derived from the various subtests is used within the various index scores.
Learn more about the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
Additional variants of the Wechsler Test
The best-known variants of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale tests are listed above, but there are some other variants that are sometimes used to test IQ or other cognitive abilities. These include:
- WASI – the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence is a short form IQ test used for people from the ages of six to 89. Unlike the full form Wechsler IQ tests, the WASI consists of only two subtests, vocabulary, and matrix reasoning, and will provide a Full Scale Intelligence Quotient in about 15 minutes.
- WAIS-R NI – The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised as a Neuropsychological Instrument is a test that has been revised to provide scores with separate norms for people with and without brain injuries.
- WIAT – The Wechsler Individual Assessment Test is designed for academic use to help identify academic skills. It is often used in schools for educational placement and identification of learning disabilities.
What Does the Wechsler Test Cover?
One of the things that made the Wechsler test so unique in its inception was Dr. Wechsler’s approach to understanding intelligence in terms of performance rather than capacity. While many earlier tests like the Stanford-Binet test focused heavily on language, so Wechsler’s test added separate scoring for what he considered Performance IQ. In the Wechsler approach Full-Scale IQ is derived from the combined scores of Verbal and Performance IQ. The WAIS test in its current form typically takes anywhere from 60 to 100 minutes to complete and covers four primary indexes of intelligence:
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- Verbal Comprehension
- Perceptual Reasoning
- Working Memory
- Processing Speed
| Index | Task | Subtest Type | Index Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Comprehension | Similarities | Core | FSIQ, GAI |
| Vocabulary | Core | FSIQ, GAI | |
| Information | Core | FSIQ, GAI | |
| Comprehension | Supplemental | n/a | |
| Perceptual Reasoning | Block Design | Core | FSIQ, VCI |
| Matrix Reasoning | Core | FSIQ, VCI | |
| Visual Puzzles | Core | FSIQ, VCI | |
| Picture Completion | Supplemental | n/a | |
| Figure Weights | Supplemental | n/a | |
| Working Memory | Digit Span | Core | FSIQ |
| Arithmetic | Core | FSIQ | |
| Letter-Number Sequencing | Supplemental | n/a | |
| Processing Speed | Symbol Search | Core | FSIQ |
| Coding | Core | FSIQ | |
| Cancellation | Supplemental | n/a |
Why Do People Take IQ Tests?
For the better part of a century, humans have been trying to come up with better ways to understand and measure intelligence. There are many reasons why people take IQ tests like the Wechsler test. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of curiosity, in other instances, it may be a requirement to enter a private school or potentially join a club or group such as Mensa. Whatever your reason may be, you can utilize the intelligence testing on this site to get a rough idea of your own IQ and see just here your intelligence rates compared to the rest of mankind.
Is Taking an IQ Test Necessary?
Going back to the theories of Dr. Wechsler in 1939, intelligence is used to study many things about a person. In a child, parents and teachers can use a test of this magnitude to determine the child’s mental capabilities. A child whose IQ is above 115 may benefit from taking more advanced classes to help them achieve their potential. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a child whose IQ falls below 80 may need additional support and traditional classrooms may not work well for them. The WISC and WPPSI tests can be beneficial in providing a better understanding of individual children’s abilities and creating an educational roadmap that best suits their abilities. When it comes to older teenagers and adults, the topic of intelligence can be an enjoyable conversation starter. For some, learning their IQ can bring answers to life-long questions, and for others, it’s fun to simply know where they stand. The WAIS subscales can also be very useful in helping a person to choose a career path. From a higher education standpoint, some colleges are interested in a person’s IQ score more so than their GPA. For those interested in joining high intelligence society like Mensa, the Wechsler test scores can be used to gain admittance if your score falls within the top two percent.
About David Wechsler
Wechsler is a Romanian-American psychologist who was born on Jan 12, 1896, in Romania. His family relocated to the states in New York when he was just a boy. He earned a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in 1917. By 1925, his further delve into education earned him a Ph.D. It was Robert S. Woodworth that first took a chance on the young psychologist. Woodworth was a big shot in the United States Army, and he was overwhelmed by the number of soldiers that were experiencing mental issues after the war. Working alongside Charles Spearman and Karl Pearson, Wechsler was to develop testing to help the army screen new draftees. However, things took a very different turn.
Helping Soldiers from WWI Gave Wechsler His Start
Wechsler dedicated himself to the study of memory loss in soldiers from WWI. His curiosity built a foundation to test the very intelligence of his patients. Studying the brain was a fascinating undertaking, so he expanded his test to include children. He felt the very formation of the intellect could help him resolve the current problems with memory loss. What he found was mind-blowing. The IQ of a person is directly predisposed to the atmosphere in which they live. Biological and environmental influences can dictate a person’s intellect. Wechsler knew that many factors affected intelligence and cognitive ability, but he also found that persistence had a sizable effect too. He realized that one test would not accommodate all age groups, so he developed a series that would be used for all ages.
The Popularity of the Wechsler Test
Many countries around the world use this test in an adapted version. The IQ test scale has been adjusted to make it culturally fair. Version four was released in 2008, which is the most recent version in use. Scoring models found that the standard IQ ranges from 85 through 115. Shockingly, nearly 70 percent of the population falls within these categories. The actual full-scale test is lengthy, and sometimes it is difficult for children and adults to sit through. Thus, an abbreviated version has been developed of late. The scaled down version provides an accurate assessment of intelligence, but it takes less than a half an hour. Some clinicians use the Stanford Binet IQ test, but the Wechsler Test remains the “go to” examination around most of the world. Individuals that are not linked with a psychologist can still take the test. There are online versions that can suffice. While there are dozens of assessments that can measure one’s intelligence, few have the historical significance and the evolution of this examination. Dr. Wechsler dedicated his life to the study of the brain, and generations long after are still using his research as a diagnostic tool. He remains just as prevalent in death as he did in life. He passed on May 2, 1981, at the age of 85. He is the 51st most quoted mental health professional of the 20th century.