Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The rigors of standardized testing make for numerous opportunities for examiner error, including simple computational mistakes in scoring. Although experts recommend that test scoring be double-checked, the extent to which independent double-checking would reduce scoring errors is not known. A double-checking procedure was established at a psychology training clinic in an effort to improve intelligence test scoring accuracy. The authors examined 50 archival protocols to determine the effects of independent double-checking on Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Third Edition scores. As expected, these procedures significantly changed IQ scores, increasing their accuracy. Anonymous trainee feedback supported the utility of these efforts and endorsed it as making a useful contribution to professional development. Recommendations for instituting such procedures in training settings are discussed, and a sample checklist to guide double-checking is provided.

Keywords

intelligence testing intelligence test scoring errors assessment training

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Belk, M.S. , LoBello, S.G. , Ray, G.E. , & Zachar, P. ( 2002). WISC-III administration, clerical, and scoring errors made by graduate examiners. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment , 20, 290-300.

Hopwood, C.J. , & Richard, D.C. ( 2005). Graduate student WAIS-III scoring accuracy is a function of full scale IQ and complexity of examiner tasks. Assessment , 12, 445-454.

Juergens, K.A. ( 2006). Clerical and computational errors on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third edition. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology, Milwaukee .

Legris, Y. ( 2004). Development of a new teaching method to reduce scoring errors on the WISC-III and WAIS-III. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Linger, M.L. , Ray, G.E. , Zachar, P. , Underhill, A.T. , & LoBello, S.G. ( 2007). Decreasing scoring errors on Wechsler Scale Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Similarities subtests: A preliminary study. Psychological Reports, 101, 661-669.

Loe, S.A. , Kadlubek, R.M. , & Marks, W.J. ( 2007). Administration and scoring errors on the WISC-IV among graduate student examiners. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment , 25, 237-247.

Patterson, M. , Slate, J.R. , Jones, C.H. , & Steger, H.S. ( 1995). The effects of practice administrations in learning to administer and score the WAIS-R: A partial replication. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 55, 32-37.

Platt, T.L. , Zachar, P. , Ray, G.E. , Underhill, A.T. , & LoBello, S.G. ( 2007). Does Wechsler Intelligence Scale administration and scoring proficiency improve during assessment training? Psychological Reports, 100, 547-555.

The Psychological Corporation. (2001). WISC-III/WIAT-II scoring assistant. San Antonio, TX: Author.

10.

Ryan, J.J. , & Schnakenberg-Ott, S.D. (2003). Scoring reliability on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale- Third Edition (WAIS-III). Assessment, 10, 151-159.

11.

Sattler, J.M. ( 2008). Assessment of children: Cognitive foundations (5th ed.). La Mesa, CA: Jerome M. Sattler.

12.

Slate, J.R. , & Jones, C.H. ( 1989). Can teaching of the WISC-R be improved? Quasi-experimental exploration. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice , 20, 408-410.

13.

Wechsler, D. ( 1991). Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

14.

Wechsler, D. ( 1997). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

15.

Wechsler, D. ( 2003). Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

16.

Whitten, J. , Slate, J.R. , Jones, C.H. , Shine, A.E. , & Raggio, D. ( 1994). Examiner errors in administering and scoring the WPPSI-R . Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 12, 49-54.

17.

Wolfe-Christensen, C. , & Callahan, J.L. (2008). Current state of standardization adherence: A reflection of competency in psychological assessment. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 2, 111-116.

Testing Intelligently Includes Double-Checking Wechsler IQ Scores

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References