DD6 is having WISC this week and I want to make sure we get the most out of this. Please let me know if I am getting the following right.
1) GAI can be calculated independently of the actual scores. What I mean is, kids don't have to hit a minimum number in any of the subtests. The way I understand it is GAI combines the verbal and the performance; doesn't consider working memory or processing speed.
2) Extended scoring can be used only when a child gets a ceiling in at least one subtest (or was it 2?). So, if a child gets an 18 or 19, then extended scoring can be used.
3) Does the tester have to know before hand about extended scoring? That is, can the tester stop the test because a child did not get the termination criteria (whatever many wrong in a row or total..) and then be unable to use extended scores? I know some testers might not be familiar with extended scoring, and I just want to know whether those can be calculated a posteriori.
4)The regular test consists of 10 subtests and 5 optional subtests. What should I know about those optional tests? Should I ask the tester to use all? We are looking at testing to further understand our DD and her challenges/strengths.
For example, her lowest score when she took WPSI-III a couple of years ago was Information. Back then, her general knowledge was very scattered, she knew a lot about obscure things but much less of the basics. Now that she has been reading for much longer, I am curious to see if this area continues to be a low one for her. Will Arithmetic tell us something that we wouldn't find out through achievement (later this month she will do WJ-III)?
Thanks for the clarifications!
