IQ test

• Wechsler Intelligence Scale is the most widely used children’s IQ test between 6 and 16
• measures five main forms of intellectual functioning called a primary index
• can also produce scores for 5 supplementary indexes using further subtests
• the test can also give complementary index scores which can be useful in diagnosing learning related difficulties
• trained testers administer the test face to face with each individual child lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours
• can produce separate scores for various aspects of the childs intellectual functioning but the overall score is a measure of general ability
• usefulness


  not considered to be very culturally fair because of its dependence on language skills

  may underestimate intelligence of people from other cultures that value non verbal skills over verbal ones

  may lead to some being assigned a lower score than needed
• effectiveness


  linked to reliability and validity

  Canirez and Watkins report a test re test reliability of 0.96
• practicality


  constantly revised over many decades to stay relevant and can be administered online

  flexible as it provides scores of subtests which can be used in different ways depending on the purpose