WISC-V Test (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children)

What is the WISC-V?

The WISC-V Test (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) is an IQ test administered to children between ages 6 and 16 by school districts and psychologists. The objective of the exam is to understand whether or not a child is gifted, as well as to determine the student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

Subtests included on the WISC Test may be given online or one-on-one using manipulatives, depending on the reason your child is being assessed. Typically, the full exam takes 65-80 minutes depending on the number of primary and secondary subtests given. The most recent version of the WISC, the WISC-V, was released in 2014. If your child is taking the WISC-V in order to qualify for admission into a gifted program or private school, your district or Independent School Organization will indicate which subtests all applicants must take. In most cases, either the 10 Primary Scale subtests or 7 Primary – Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) subtests are given for determining eligibility for admission into these programs.

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) is an IQ test and assesses cognitive abilities in children between the ages of 6 and 16 years old. It is widely used in educational institutions to identify strengths and weaknesses in cognitive functioning, and to inform educational and intervention planning.

Here are some key features of the WISC:

• The test measures several cognitive abilities: measures a range of cognitive abilities, including verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, processing speed and fluid reasoning. This allows for a comprehensive assessment of a child’s cognitive abilities and helps to identify areas of strength and weakness.
• The test is standardized: means that it has been administered to a large representative sample of children and the results have been analyzed to create norms. This allows for the results of a child’s test to be compared to those of their peers and to provide a clear picture of their cognitive abilities.
• The test is individually administered:  it’s administered one-on-one by a trained psychologist, which allows for a personalized assessment of a child’s abilities.
• The test is reliable and valid: The WISC has been extensively researched and has demonstrated high levels of reliability and validity. This means that the test consistently measures what it is intended to measure and produces consistent results over time.

Overall, the WISC is a valuable tool for assessing cognitive abilities in children and can provide valuable information for educational and intervention planning. It is important to note that the WISC is just one tool in a larger assessment process and should be used in conjunction with other assessment measures and sources of information. Additionally, it is important that the test be administered by a trained professional in a standardized and appropriate manner.

Prepare your child to score higher on the WISC-V. TestingMom.com can help! We have 4,000+ practice questions covering all 10 Primary Scale/7 Full Scale IQ subtests. We can help your child build the skills and familiarity to walk into Test Day with confidence.

Plus, we offer parent resources to help you navigate the testing process, access to 30+ games from top educational publishers, a Student Success Team who’s standing by to help with your questions, and more!

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Is it true that you cannot prepare for these types of tests?

This is false. Many psychologist do not like when children practice because they think children will be exposed to testing materials and that this may skew the results. Our test prep does not expose your child to testing materials but instead helps them understand the types of questions they will be asked.

The WISC-V Test includes 10 Primary Scale/Full Scale IQ subtest types:

• Verbal Comprehension – Similarities (Primary/FSIQ) – This subtest measures verbal concept formation and reasoning. The child is asked to explain how two things are alike or similar.
• Verbal Comprehension – Vocabulary (Primary/FSIQ) – This subtest measures verbal concept formation, knowledge, and expression. The child is asked to define a series of words.
• Visual Spatial – Block Design (Primary/FSIQ) – This subtest measures visual spatial processing and motor skills. The child is shown a model or picture and asked to use colored blocks to replicate the design within a certain time limit.
• Fluid Reasoning – Matrix Reasoning (Primary/FSIQ) – This subtest measures fluid intelligence, which includes problem-solving abilities and perceptual organization. The child is shown an array of pictures with one missing and is asked to select the picture that best fits the missing spot.
• Fluid Reasoning – Figure Weights (Primary/FSIQ) – This subtest measures quantitative reasoning, which is the ability to use numerical information or data to solve problems.
• Working Memory – Digit Span (Primary/FSIQ) – This subtest measures working memory. The child is asked to repeat a series of numbers in the same order they were presented, or in reverse order.
• Processing Speed – Coding (Primary/FSIQ) – This subtest measures processing speed. The child is given a key in which digits are paired with simple shapes. The task is to draw each shape under its corresponding digit within a certain time limit.
• Visual Spatial – Visual Puzzles (Primary) – This subtest measures nonverbal reasoning, spatial processing, and attention to detail. The child is presented with a completed puzzle and asked to select three pieces that, when combined, recreate the complete puzzle.
• Working Memory – Picture Span (Primary) – This subtest measures working memory. The child is shown a series of pictures and then asked to remember the pictures and the order in which they were presented.
• Processing Speed – Symbol Search (Primary)

Together, these subtests provide a comprehensive profile of a child’s cognitive abilities, which can be useful in identifying strengths and weaknesses, and may inform educational planning and interventions. Since it’s an intelligence test, the WISC Test is either given one-on-one or online and doesn’t require any reading or writing skills.

WISC-V Age Bands

The test is intended for use with children between the ages of 6 and 16 years old. The age bands for the WISC-V are as follows:

• 6-7 years: This age band is often used for children in the early stages of elementary education. The WISC-V can provide valuable information about a child’s cognitive development, strengths, and weaknesses at this stage.
• 8-12 years: This age band typically covers late elementary to early middle school years. During this period, the WISC-V can be particularly useful in identifying specific learning difficulties or areas of strength that might impact academic achievement.
• 13-16 years: This age band generally covers late middle school to early high school years. At this stage, the WISC-V can help identify cognitive factors that might contribute to academic or behavioral difficulties, or it can help in identifying gifted and talented students.

It’s important to note that although the WISC-V is designed for children aged 6-16, the choice of whether to use the WISC-V or another test (like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, or WAIS, for older adolescents) may depend on the specific context and the professional judgment of the psychologist or test administrator.

A child’s WISC results are compared to other children in the same 3-month age group. The table below shows the age bands for the WISC-V.

Older Versions of the WISC Test: WISC-IV and WISC-III

The WISC-V is the most recent version of the WISC test, but older versions (the WISC-IV and the WISC-III) may still be given. On the WISC-IV, each subtest is designed to begin at an easy level for the child. The psychologist will continue to ask the child questions until he misses 4 or 5 in a row. If you have a younger child who took the WPPSI™-III test or WPPSI™-IV test (the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence™), the WISC-IV test is the “upward” continuation of that test. There is a bit of overlap where a 6 to 7.3 or 7.7-year-old child could take either the WPPSI™-III or IV test or the WISC-IV test. A psychologist would determine which test would be appropriate for a child in that age range.

Because an IQ test is different from a skills or achievement test, it is harder to study for. Additionally, since it is given to children so young, there is a chance that a child might get scared or nervous and make mistakes that could cost him many points. Most children taking the WISC-IV test at age-7 are just beginning to learn how to take a test. They may not be good at sitting still for a long period of time, listening carefully to what is being asked of them, thinking through questions, and looking at all the answer choices before jumping in to respond. Test-taking is an emerging skill set for younger (and many older) children. Developing these test-taking abilities is as challenging to young students as knowing the answers to the questions they are being asked.

For these reasons, we believe it is critical that (at the minimum) you give your child exposure to the types of questions that he or she will encounter on the test. By giving your child some familiarity with the kinds of questions and tasks, you will dramatically decrease his or her chances of making simple mistakes or becoming confused.

A child taking the WISC-V test receives a Full Scale IQ score, a Verbal Comprehension Index (a score based on verbal items), a Perceptual Reasoning Index (a score based on performance or visual-spatial reasoning items), a Working Memory Index (a score based on working memory items), and a Processing Speed Index (a score based on how the child performs on timed portions of the test). Verbal items on a test are expressive and receptive language-based questions. Perceptual Reasoning items relate to items that target a child’s non-verbal or visual-spatial reasoning skills. These are items that don’t require language to solve them. Examples include items like recreating block patterns or solving matrix puzzles. Working Memory items are tasks where the student must remember something he or she just heard and then do something with that information.

Want to help your children build the confidence and familiarity they need to score higher on all the WISC-V subtests? Join TestingMom.com! In addition to thousands of practice questions, we’ve also got lessons for parents so you understand the best way to help your child prep for this important test.

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Tell us about your experiences

23 Responses

eguzmanch9@gmail.com

very good

Al Razavi

Father of two boys the oldest is almost 14 and the youngest is almost 12. I am trying to get them into the gifted and talented program in Florida.

TestingMom.com

Hi Al –

Thank you for reaching out to us!

With a subscription to TestingMom.com, you have full access to our website for both of your sons! If we can assist you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at help@testingmom.com.

All the best,

Marcus

sanoobha k

I am a first year MSc Nursing student . I am going to conduct a research study for the partial requirement of MSc Nursing program. My problem is assess the cognitive function of children with seizure disorder.

jenniele1129@gmail.com

Nice.

anonymous

i am 12 and i took this test and got an overall score of 142. i just came here to this site to do more research about it for a friend. my mom didnt make me practice or anything. and my testing was split up over 3-4 days, each at least a week apart. i can say that most of the test is pretty fun (at least for a girl like me with the combined type of ADHD) and can be a bit challenging at times. i hope everyone else’s kids do well on this test. have a good day everybody

Harsh

Wisc test

Bemily524@msn.com

if we will become your member per year( $99/year), could my son practice WISC-V your website? He took WISC-V test two years ago, he got 121 score, but he wants to pass 130 scores to get into better school.

krishnakjoshi1@gmail.com

I sign up how I get 100 free questions fir WISC first grade

Also what included in monthly 8.25 package also looking for RIAS and DAS test for 1 st graders

Thank you

TestingMom.com

Our 100 Free Questions are a great sampling from many of the tests we support. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to access the 100 Free Practice Questions (No purchase necessary):

Go to www.testingmom.com and log in using your email address and password.
Once you are logged in, click the “100 FREE QUESTIONS” button on the left-hand side of the page Or, you can follow this link: 100 Free Practice Questions
Once redirected, you will see a large, blue box that reads “FREE QUESTIONS.” Click the orange button that reads “UNLOCK NOW.”

With all of our memberships, you have full access to our website, including test prep for many different tests

We look forward to having you onboard with us!

Best regards,

Marcus

NAIL

Good day,

just want to check that do you arrange WISC test for gifted kids?We are living in South Africa and my son already tested from Mensa and according to exam,he is gifted.We want to have the WISC test which can consider as global.If you dont’t have Wisc test,what gifted test you arrange and how much is the fee?I’m planning to come Newyork around 3th to 6th of July or 11th to 16th of july

Thanks.
Nail

TestingMom.com

Hi Nail, please email us at help@testingmom.com and we can answer all your questions regarding the WISC test and how we can help your son succeed!

Purita

I want to do a home testing for my child who is struggling so much in school.

TestingMom.com

Hi,

Please email us at help@testingmom.com. We have many resources available for the WISC-V test and so much more. Whether practicing with interactive questions or using our printable materials, Testingmom.com has the WISC-V test covered.

adel_tekari@hotmail.com

Just submitted my trial for some tests… for the Wisc-v test where can I find test sample? Without having to pay first!

TestingMom.com

Hello, sign-up for the 100 free questions on the home page and you can start there!

zehra.kocoglu86@gmail.com

Hello

How can I see the 100 free questions for a 6 years old Child. Please ?

Thank you

TestingMom.com

Hello, please email us at help@testingmom.com for further information on how to access practice questions for your child’s upcoming test for the WISC.

Rosa

I am a School Psychologist and want to know more about cognitive testing from the student’s’ perspective. These questions could prove helpful. Thank you. Rosa Harris

Karen

Hello, my 4.5 year old son will scheduled for the test soon. I am aware that preparation is not warranted for an IQ test; however, as his parent I would like to apply practice questions to observe my son’s ability and inability to take the test. Does Testing Mom provide support materials to expose a 4.5 year old child and parent to the testing methods or sample questions? Please advise. Thank you in advance.

TestingMom.com

TestingMom offers several ways to practice for WISC. We have flashcards that you can take with you for whenever you have a break to practice; we do have questions you can work with your child, as well as online tutors who can also get your child used to answering questions from a nonfamily member.

Alex

Hello,

I’m located in Jersey City, NJ 07310. I was wondering where the nearest test center is located near my location?

Thank You,
Alex

646-597-2281

TestingMom.com

Hi Alex! The WISC-V is given one-on-one and is usually administered by a psychologist, although an individual with a doctorate in education can also give the test. I recommend checking with your pediatrician for a referral.

I hope this helps!

See if TestingMom.com supports your child’s test by your school district. If you don't see your child's school district listed, check with us! We have practice for other tests as well.