Abstract
Authors of this chapter describe the Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability (WNV; Wechsler and Naglieri in Wechsler nonverbal scale of ability. Pearson, San Antonio, 2006). It is an individual nonverbal assessment of general cognitive ability for ages 4 years and 0 months to 21 years and 11 months (4:0–21:11). The WNV was adapted from earlier versions of the Wechsler scales to minimize or eliminate nonverbal instructions and demands, while keeping the format of subtest and composite scores. In particular, authors describe the theory underlying the WNV, administration and scoring, and strengths and limitations of the test. The test assesses Nonverbal IQ in a robust, yet relatively quick and easy-to-administer format. The inclusion of pictorial directions is unique and makes the test an option if English proficiency of the examinee is a concern. The test materials are well put together, colorful, and engaging. The WNV Administration and Scoring Manual and Technical and Interpretative Manual include ample information about the technical properties of the test, test development, step-by-step administration, and interpretation strategies. Although the literature contains reviews that mention both strengths and weaknesses, the test is generally characterized as psychometrically strong; it appears to offer advantages over highly verbally laden measures for assessing students who may be disadvantaged by language loaded instruments.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bellugi, U., O’Grady, L., Lill0-Martin, D., O’Grady Hynes, M., van Hoek, K., & Corina, D. (1994). Enhancement of spatial cognition in deaf children. In V. Volterra & C. Erting (Eds.), From gesture to language in hearing and deaf children (pp. 278–298). Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.
Bishop, D. V. (1992). The underlying nature of specific language impairment. Journal of Child Psychology and Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 24(3), 383–405.
Bracken, B. A., & McCallum, R. S. (1998). Universal nonverbal intelligence test. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Corbeil, J. P. (2003). 30 years of education: Canada’s language groups. Canadian Social Trends, 71(Winter), 8–12.
Doll, B., & Boren, R. (1993). Performance of severely language-impaired students on the WISC-III, language scales, and academic achievement measures. In B. A. Bracken & R. S. McCallum (Eds.), Journal of psychoeducational assessment, WISC-III monograph, 11 (pp. 77–86). Brandon, VT: Clinical Psychology Publishing Company.
Jensen, A. R. (1998). The “g” factor: The science of mental ability. Westport, CT: Prager.
Johnson, C. J., Beitchman, J. H., Young, A., Escobar, M., Atkinson, L., Wilson, B., et al. (1999). Fourteen-year follow-up of children with and without speech/language impairments: Speech/language stability and outcomes. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 42, 744–760.
Maddux, C. (2010). Review of the Wechsler nonverbal scale of ability. In R. A. Spies, J. F. Carlson, & K. F. Geisinger (Eds.), The eighteenth mental measurements yearbook. Retrieved from the Burros Institute's Mental Measurements Yearbook online database.
McCallum, R. S. (1991). The assessment of preschool children with the Stanford-Binet intelligence scale: Fourth edition. In B. A. Bracken (Ed.), The psychoeducational assessment of preschool children (2nd ed., pp. 107–132). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Naglieri, J. A. (2003). Naglieri nonverbal ability test- individual administration. San Antonio, TX: Harcourt Assessment.
Naglieri, J. A., & Brunnert, K. (2009). Wechsler nonverbal scale of ability (WNV). In J. A. Naglieri, J. A., & Goldstein, S. (Eds.), Practitioner’s guide to assessing intelligence and achievement (pp. 315–338). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
National Center for Educational Statistics. (2016). English language learners in public schools. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/pdf/coe_cgf.pdf
Rose, J. C., Lincoln, A. J., & Allen, M. H. (1992). Ability profiles of developmental language disordered and learning disabled children: A comparative analysis. Development Neuropsychology, 8(4), 413–426.
Salvia, J., Ysseldyke, J. E., & Bolt, S. (2013). Assessment: In special and inclusive education (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Sattler, J. M. (2008). Assessment of children (5th ed.). San Diego, CA: Author.
Spearman, C. (1904). “General intelligence”: Objectively determined and measured. American Journal of Psychology, 15, 201–293.
Statistics Canada. (2002). 2001 census of population (20% sample database) [CD-ROM]. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Statistics Canada.
Suzuki, L. A., & Valencia, R. R. (1997). Race-ethnicity and measured intelligence. American Psychologist, 52, 1103–1114.
Tindal, G. (2010). Review of the Wechsler nonverbal scale of ability. In R. A. Spies, J. F. Carlson, & K. F. Geisinger (Eds.), The eighteenth mental measurements yearbook. Retrieved from the Burros Institute's Mental Measurements Yearbook online database.
U. S. Bureau of the Census. (2003). Current population survey. October 2003: School enrollment supplement file [CR-ROM] Washington, DC: U.S. Bureau of the Census (Producer/Distributor).
Wechsler, D. (1939). Wechsler-Bellevue intelligence scale. New York: The Psychological Corporation.
Wechsler. D. (1997). Wechsler adult intelligence scale, (3rd ed.). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Wechsler, D. (2001). Wechsler individual achievement test (2nd ed.). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Wechsler, D. (2002). Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence- (3rd ed.). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Wechsler, D. (2003). Wechsler intelligence scale for children (4th ed.). San Antonio, TX: Harcourt Assessment.
Wechsler, D. (2005). Wechsler intelligence scale for children- Fourth edition- Spanish. San Antonio, TX: Harcourt Assessment.
Wechsler, D., Kaplan, E., Fein, D., Kramer, J., Morris, R., Delis, D., et al. (2004). Wechsler intelligence scale for children- Fourth edition- Integrated edition. San Antonio, TX: Harcourt Assessment.
Wechsler, D., & Naglieri, J. A. (2006). Wechsler nonverbal scale of ability. San Antonio, TX: Pearson.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Jaquett, C.M., Kirkpatrick, B.A. (2017). Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability. In: McCallum, R. (eds) Handbook of Nonverbal Assessment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50604-3_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50604-3_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-50602-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-50604-3
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)