WPPSI-IV Reference — Barber Sped Hub

⚠️ Critical Clinical Note: WMI Measures Visual Working Memory, Not Auditory

Unlike the WISC-V where Working Memory Index (WMI) is primarily auditory/verbal (Digit Span, Letter-Number Sequencing), the WPPSI-IV WMI uses visual working memory tasks (Picture Memory, Zoo Locations). This is a critical interpretive distinction — a low WMI on the WPPSI-IV reflects visual working memory, not the phonological working memory that is typically implicated in reading disabilities and ADHD. Do not equate WPPSI-IV WMI with WISC-V WMI when writing FIE narratives or comparing across batteries.

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The WPPSI-IV is administered in two age bands with different subtest sets and available composites. Ages 2:6–3:11 receive a limited battery; Ages 4:0–7:7 receive the full battery including FRI and PSI. Always check age at testing before reporting composites.

📅 Age Band 1 — Ages 2:6–3:11

Younger children receive a more limited battery. Available composites: FSIQ, VCI, VSI, WMI. FRI and PSI are NOT available at this age band.

Composite	Core Subtests
FSIQ	Receptive Vocabulary, Information, Block Design, Object Assembly, Picture Memory
VCI	Receptive Vocabulary, Information
VSI	Block Design, Object Assembly
WMI	Picture Memory, Zoo Locations

📅 Age Band 2 — Ages 4:0–7:7

Older children receive the full battery. All primary composites available: FSIQ, VCI, VSI, FRI, WMI, PSI. Ancillary composites also available: GAI, NVI, VAI, CPI.

Composite	Core Subtests
FSIQ	Information, Similarities, Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Picture Memory, Bug Search
VCI	Information, Similarities
VSI	Block Design, Object Assembly
FRI 4:0–7:7 only	Matrix Reasoning, Picture Concepts
WMI	Picture Memory, Zoo Locations (visual WM — not auditory)
PSI 4:0–7:7 only	Bug Search, Cancellation

ℹ️

All composites use standard scores (M=100, SD=15). Composites marked with age restrictions are only available for ages 4:0–7:7.

FSIQ — Full Scale IQ

Primary global ability estimate · Both age bands

Overall cognitive ability. Combines verbal, visual-spatial, fluid reasoning (4+), working memory, and processing speed (4+). Primary index for most eligibility determinations.

VCI — Verbal Comprehension

Gc / Crystallized Intelligence · Both age bands

Verbal reasoning, vocabulary, and general knowledge. Language-loaded — may reflect opportunity to learn. Compare to VSI/FRI when language is a concern.

VSI — Visual Spatial

Gv / Visual Processing · Both age bands

Ability to evaluate visual details and understand spatial relationships. Less language-dependent — useful for EB students and students with language differences.

FRI — Fluid Reasoning Index

Gf / Fluid Reasoning · Ages 4:0–7:7 only

Novel problem solving and inductive reasoning. Not available for ages 2:6–3:11. Measures abstract reasoning without prior knowledge.

WMI — Working Memory Index

⚠️ VISUAL Working Memory · Both age bands

Critical: WPPSI-IV WMI measures visual working memory (Picture Memory, Zoo Locations) — NOT auditory/phonological working memory. Do not equate with WISC-V WMI. A low WMI here reflects visual memory, not verbal WM deficits typically seen in dyslexia/ADHD.

PSI — Processing Speed Index

Gs / Processing Speed · Ages 4:0–7:7 only

Speed of simple cognitive operations — scanning, discriminating, and marking visual stimuli. Not available for ages 2:6–3:11.

Ancillary Composites (Ages 4:0–7:7)

Composite	Subtests	When to Use
GAI — General Ability Index	VCI + VSI + FRI	When WMI/PSI weaknesses suppress FSIQ; provides ability estimate less affected by processing efficiency
NVI — Nonverbal Index	VSI + FRI + WMI (nonverbal subtests)	Language-reduced ability estimate; for EB students or students with language disorders
VAI — Vocabulary Acquisition Index	Receptive Vocabulary + Picture Naming	Early language development and vocabulary; useful for early childhood language screening
CPI — Cognitive Proficiency Index	WMI + PSI	Processing efficiency; compare to GAI for ability-efficiency discrepancy documentation

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Subtests use scaled scores (M=10, SD=3). Core subtests contribute to primary composites. Supplemental subtests provide additional information and can substitute for spoiled core subtests per standardized procedures.

Verbal Comprehension (VCI)

Subtest	Ages	Type	Task	Low Score Impact
Receptive Vocabulary	2:6–7:7	Core 2:6–3:11	Points to pictured word named by examiner; measures receptive vocabulary breadth	Difficulty understanding spoken vocabulary; impacts comprehension of classroom instruction
Information	2:6–7:7	Core 4:0–7:7	Answers questions about general knowledge topics; measures verbal knowledge and long-term memory	Limited general knowledge or verbal reasoning; may reflect language exposure or opportunity
Similarities	4:0–7:7	Supplemental	Explains how two things are alike; measures verbal concept formation	Difficulty with verbal categorical reasoning and abstract language
Comprehension	4:0–7:7	Supplemental	Answers questions about everyday situations and social rules; measures practical reasoning	Difficulty with social reasoning, rules, and conventions; may reflect experiential differences
Vocabulary	4:0–7:7	Supplemental	Names pictured objects or defines words; measures word knowledge and verbal expression	Expressive vocabulary limitations; difficulty with word retrieval and verbal definition
Picture Naming	2:6–7:7	VAI	Names pictures of objects; measures expressive vocabulary and word retrieval	Word retrieval and expressive language; part of VAI for early language screening

Visual Spatial (VSI)

Subtest	Ages	Type	Task	Low Score Impact
Block Design	2:6–7:7	Core NVI	Reproduces a design using two-color blocks; measures spatial analysis and visual-motor construction	Difficulty with spatial construction and part-whole reasoning; fine motor component
Object Assembly	2:6–7:7	Core 2:6–3:11 Supp 4:0+	Assembles puzzle pieces to form a meaningful object; measures visual synthesis and closure	Difficulty with visual-gestalt processing and part-whole integration

Fluid Reasoning (FRI) — Ages 4:0–7:7 Only

Subtest	Ages	Type	Task	Low Score Impact
Matrix Reasoning	4:0–7:7	Core NVI	Selects the picture that completes a visual matrix; measures inductive visual reasoning	Difficulty with abstract pattern recognition and nonverbal problem solving
Picture Concepts	4:0–7:7	Core NVI	Selects one picture from each of two or three rows to form a group with common characteristics; measures abstract categorical reasoning	Difficulty with visual concept formation and categorical grouping

Working Memory (WMI) — ⚠️ Visual WM, Not Auditory

Subtest	Ages	Type	Task	Low Score Impact
Picture Memory	2:6–7:7	Core	Views a stimulus page of one or more pictures, then selects those pictures from a response page; measures visual working memory and recognition	Visual working memory — difficulty holding visual information; NOT phonological WM
Zoo Locations	2:6–7:7	Core Supp alt	Views animals placed on a zoo map, then places them back in correct locations; measures visual-spatial working memory	Spatial WM and location learning; difficulty placing objects in correct spatial contexts

Processing Speed (PSI) — Ages 4:0–7:7 Only

Subtest	Ages	Type	Task	Low Score Impact
Bug Search	4:0–7:7	Core	Scans a row of bugs to find the one that matches a target bug; marks match within time limit	Visual scanning speed and discrimination; processing efficiency for simple visual tasks
Animal Coding	4:0–7:7	Supplemental	Uses a key to mark shapes paired with animals; measures associative coding speed	Symbol-association speed; processing efficiency with novel symbols
Cancellation	4:0–7:7	Supplemental	Scans an arrangement of objects and marks target objects within time limit; measures visual scanning and selective attention	Visual selective attention and scanning speed; attention overlap with PSI

ℹ️

WPPSI-IV composites use standard scores (M=100, SD=15). Subtests use scaled scores (M=10, SD=3). Classification labels below follow Wechsler conventions. Always use confidence intervals when reporting — FSIQ SEM is typically 3–5 points.

Standard Score	Classification	Percentile	FIE Language
130+	Very Superior	98th+	very superior cognitive ability
120–129	Superior	91st–97th	superior cognitive ability
110–119	High Average	75th–90th	high average cognitive ability
90–109	Average	25th–74th	average range of cognitive ability
80–89	Low Average	9th–24th	low average cognitive ability
70–79	Borderline	2nd–8th	borderline cognitive ability; document carefully — borderline ID range
69 and below	Extremely Low	Below 2nd	extremely low cognitive ability; ID range — adaptive behavior data required

Scaled Score	Classification	Percentile
14–19	Above Average	91st+
8–13	Average	25th–84th
4–7	Below Average	2nd–23rd
1–3	Extremely Low	Below 2nd

⚠️ Reminder: WMI Is Visual, Not Auditory

When writing FIE narratives, do not describe a low WPPSI-IV WMI as reflecting "difficulty holding verbal information in working memory" — it reflects visual working memory. Use language like "difficulty holding and manipulating visual information in working memory" or "limited visual-spatial working memory." This distinction is especially important for SLD and ADHD documentation.

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When to use WPPSI-IV vs. WISC-V: The WPPSI-IV age range extends to 7:7. For students ages 6:0–7:7, both instruments are valid. The WPPSI-IV is generally preferred for younger children in this overlap range; the WISC-V may be preferred when upward comparison to older norms is clinically important (e.g., gifted screening) or when auditory working memory is a critical variable.

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Early childhood evaluations: For ages 2:6–3:11, the FSIQ is based on only five subtests (VCI + VSI + WMI). FRI and PSI are not available, limiting the breadth of the cognitive profile. Document this limitation when reporting. Consider supplementing with developmental measures (e.g., BSID-IV, DP-4) for early childhood evaluations as appropriate.

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ID Consideration — Early Childhood: For FSIQ scores at or below 70, both cognitive and adaptive behavior data are required for ID eligibility consideration, regardless of age. Use ABAS-3 (Parent/Caregiver form) for adaptive behavior documentation. Document that onset is during the developmental period.