Test Review: Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition

The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II; Wechsler, 2011) is a brief intelligence test designed for individuals aged 6 through 90 years. It is a revision of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI; Wechsler, 1999). During revision, there were three goals: enhancing the link between the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV; Wechsler, 2003) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV; Wechsler, 2008a), increasing user-friendliness, and improving psychometric properties. Items from the WASI were dropped, modified, or retained after comparing them to items and scoring criteria on the WISC-IV and WAIS-IV. Furthermore, administration rules (e.g., reversal and discontinue rules) were modified in order to increase the consistency with other Wechsler instruments. Norms were updated, subtest floors and ceilings were extended, and reliability and validity evidence was generated. Like the WASI, the WASI-II is composed of four subtests designed as alternate forms of the WISC-IV and WAIS-IV subtests. The Block Design subtest requires the examinee to complete a series of two-color patterns using blocks. During the Vocabulary subtest, the examinee provides the name of pictures or defines words presented orally and in print. Next, the Matrix Reasoning subtest allows the examinee to view matrices and apply inductive reasoning to select the correct response. Finally, the examinee either matches pictures or describes how common items or concepts are alike on the Similarities subtest.