A Comparison of the 1978 and 1984 Forms of the Wide Range Achievement Test with the Wais-R for Rehabilitation Agency Adults

Abstract

This study compares standard scores from norms of the 1984 Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised, and the 1978 form for 30 clients of the California Department of Rehabilitation; standard scores for both are compared with WAIS-R VIQ, PIQ and FSIQ. Age range is 18.33 years, to 60.08 years, (M = 30.08, SD = 9.58 years). 1978 WRAT mean scores were: Reading 87.20, Spelling 84.10, Arithmetic 84.20. The 1984 WRAT-R mean scores were: Reading 75.47, Spelling 74.50, and Arithmetic 75.57. Mean WAIS-R IQ scores were: VIQ = 82.07, PIQ = 87.73, FSIQ = 83.23. Mean score differences between 1978 and 1984 forms were all significant at p = .001. Comparison of all WRAT scores and WAIS-R IQ's shows lesser mean score difference of 1978 WRAT to WAIS-R. Choice of WRAT form found to have impact on diagnostic conclusions when evaluating adults for learning disability.