Understanding the WISC Scores: A Parent and Professional's Guide to Cognitive Testing

Understanding the WISC Scores: A Parent and Professional’s Guide to Cognitive Testing

• Gurprit Ganda
• Nov 6, 2024
• 3 min read

As a clinical psychologist, one of the most common questions I receive from parents is about cognitive testing, particularly the WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children). Let’s demystify this important assessment tool together.

Think of the

WISC-V

as a comprehensive toolkit that helps us understand how a child’s mind works. Just as we use different tools to build a house, the WISC uses different subtests to build a complete picture of a child’s cognitive abilities.

Understanding the Core Components

The Language Building Blocks: Verbal Comprehension

When we assess verbal comprehension, we’re looking at how children work with language and express ideas. Imagine your child is building with verbal LEGOs - we want to see how they:

• Connect ideas (like explaining how a dog and cat are similar)

Connect ideas (like explaining how a dog and cat are similar)

• Define words (starting with simple ones and progressing to more complex concepts)

Define words (starting with simple ones and progressing to more complex concepts)

• Apply everyday knowledge (such as explaining why we wear different clothes in different seasons)

Apply everyday knowledge (such as explaining why we wear different clothes in different seasons)

• Understand social situations (like what to do if you find someone’s wallet)

Understand social situations (like what to do if you find someone’s wallet)

The Visual Problem-Solving Workshop: Visual Spatial Skills

This is where we see how children mentally manipulate shapes and patterns - think of it as mental origami:

• Block Design: Children recreate patterns using colored blocks, much like following a blueprint

Block Design: Children recreate patterns using colored blocks, much like following a blueprint

• Visual Puzzles: They solve visual riddles by selecting pieces that would form a complete picture

Visual Puzzles: They solve visual riddles by selecting pieces that would form a complete picture

The Detective Work: Fluid Reasoning

This section is like watching your child solve mysteries. We look at how they:

• Find patterns in visual information (similar to completing a complex puzzle)

Find patterns in visual information (similar to completing a complex puzzle)

• Understand relationships between objects (like figuring out which shape comes next in a sequence)

Understand relationships between objects (like figuring out which shape comes next in a sequence)

• Apply logical thinking to new situations (without relying on previously learned information)

Apply logical thinking to new situations (without relying on previously learned information)

The Mental Gymnasium: Working Memory

Working memory is like a mental sticky note. We test this through:

• Number games (remembering and manipulating sequences of numbers)

Number games (remembering and manipulating sequences of numbers)

• Picture memory tasks (recalling details from images they’ve just seen)

Picture memory tasks (recalling details from images they’ve just seen)

• Mental juggling exercises (holding information while working with it)

Mental juggling exercises (holding information while working with it)

The Speed Track: Processing Speed

Think of this as your child’s mental running speed. We look at:

• How quickly they can scan and process visual information

How quickly they can scan and process visual information

• Their ability to focus and maintain attention on repetitive tasks

Their ability to focus and maintain attention on repetitive tasks

• Speed and accuracy in simple decision-making

Speed and accuracy in simple decision-making

Age Matters: How Testing Adapts

The Early Years (Ages 6-8)

During these foundation years:

• We keep sessions shorter and more engaging

We keep sessions shorter and more engaging

• Use more visual supports and concrete examples

Use more visual supports and concrete examples

• Make the experience feel like a series of games rather than tests

Make the experience feel like a series of games rather than tests

• Take more breaks to maintain attention

Take more breaks to maintain attention

The Middle Years (Ages 9-12)

As children develop:

• We introduce more complex verbal tasks

We introduce more complex verbal tasks

• Expect more sophisticated problem-solving

Expect more sophisticated problem-solving

• Look for emerging abstract thinking skills

Look for emerging abstract thinking skills

• Pay attention to how they approach challenging tasks

Pay attention to how they approach challenging tasks

The Teen Years (Ages 13-16)

With adolescents:

• We explore more abstract concepts

We explore more abstract concepts

• Look for mature reasoning abilities

Look for mature reasoning abilities

• Assess complex problem-solving skills

Assess complex problem-solving skills

• Consider their unique developmental challenges

Consider their unique developmental challenges

Cultural Considerations: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Every child comes from a unique background, and we take this seriously. Here’s how we adapt:

• Language differences are carefully considered

Language differences are carefully considered

• Cultural experiences are taken into account

Cultural experiences are taken into account

• Educational opportunities are factored into interpretation

Educational opportunities are factored into interpretation

• Family values and practices are respected

Family values and practices are respected

What the Numbers Really Mean

When you receive your child’s results, you’ll see various scores. Let’s break down what they mean:

Understanding Score Ranges

Score Range

What It Typically Means

Real-World Context

130+

Very Superior

Exceptional strengths in this area

120-129

Superior

Strong natural abilities

110-119

High Average

Above-average capabilities

90-109

Average

Typical for age group

80-89

Low Average

May need some support

70-79

Below Average

Additional support recommended

Conclusion: Understanding the WISC Scores in Context

The real value of WISC testing isn’t in the numbers - it’s in how we use this information to help your child thrive:

• Identifying learning styles and preferences

Identifying learning styles and preferences

• Developing targeted support strategies

Developing targeted support strategies

• Building on strengths while supporting challenges

Building on strengths while supporting challenges

• Creating personalized learning plans

Creating personalized learning plans

Remember, these tests are just one piece of the puzzle. They provide valuable insights, but they don’t define your child’s potential or worth. Every child has unique strengths and challenges, and understanding these helps us provide the best support possible for their development.

So understanding that the WISC-V Score is a powerful indicator of cognitive levels, but it’s most valuable when used as part of a comprehensive approach to understanding and supporting your child’s cognitive development. As we often say in psychology, we’re not just measuring intelligence - we’re understanding how each unique mind works and learns best.

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