1 · ORIGINS
Built in parallel with the Wechsler-Bellevue
Paired with the Wechsler-Bellevue1939
The MQ corresponded psychometrically to the IQ from the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale.3A clinical purpose1945
Wechsler developed the scale as a clinical test to detect and evaluate memory disorders.2Old tasks, new norms1945
Several subtests were adapted from the Binet–Simon Scale and the Wells and Martin battery; Wechsler added normative data so scores could be interpreted.22 · SEVEN SUBTESTS, ONE MEMORY QUOTIENT
A brief survey of immediate memory
The seven subtests measured immediate recall of verbal and visual information and were combined into an overall Memory Quotient. There was no delayed-recall trial.2,3,4
Personal and Current InformationListed first among the subtests.4
OrientationListed as its own subtest.5
Mental ControlE.g. counting down from 20, reciting the alphabet, counting by threes.4
Digit SpanRepeating digit sequences.4
Logical MemoryParagraph recall.4
Visual ReproductionImmediate recall of a series of geometric figures.4
Associate LearningLearning verbal associations such as "metal–iron" and "crush–dark" — try it below.4
Each subtest was scored for correct responses; the scores were summed, age-corrected and converted to the MQ. The scale existed in two forms, I and II.5
3 · THE MEMORY QUOTIENT AND ITS NORMS
An MQ to sit beside the IQ
MQBorrowed termWechsler took "Memory Quotient" from Wells and Martin (1923) and noted it was analogous to an IQ.3
A correction to common accounts. Some handbooks say the WMS was standardized on Bellevue Hospital patients. One history calls this incorrect: Wechsler's 1945 paper states explicitly that the subjects were not hospital patients.3
4 · TRY PAIRED-ASSOCIATE LEARNING
Study, then recall
You'll see eight word pairs for 12 seconds. Then you'll get the first word of each and pick its partner.
Related pairs0 / 4
Unrelated pairs0 / 4
Invented word pairs — half obviously related, half not. Immediate recall only, as in the 1945 scale; no norms or MQ are computed.
READY
Pairs appear when you start.
5 · REVISIONS
From one MQ to many indexes
1945
Formally introducedWechsler's paper in the Journal of Psychology.2
1987
WMS-RAn improved normative sample, four additional index scores and additional subtests.2
1997
WMS-IIIScoring shifted from a single Memory Quotient toward multiple index scores.1
2009
WMS-IVFourth edition.6
2025
Fifth edition announcedPearson announced in late 2024 a fifth revision for 2025.6
6 · REFERENCES
Sources cited on this page
- [1]Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) — definition and meaning. Arab Psychology Scales (2025).scales.arabpsychology.com
- [2]Chlebowski, C. (2018). Wechsler Memory Scale all versions. In Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer.link.springer.com
- [3]The Wechsler Memory Scale (Chapter 2). Routledge sample chapter (PDF).routledge.com (PDF)
- [4]Wechsler Memory Scale — an overview. ScienceDirect Topics (Neuroscience).sciencedirect.com
- [5]The Wechsler Memory Scale and its revisions. Book chapter, Springer.link.springer.com
- [6]Wikipedia contributors. Wechsler Memory Scale (accessed 29 Sept 2026).en.wikipedia.org
Primary source: Wechsler, D. (1945). A standardized memory scale for clinical use. Journal of Psychology, 19, 87–95.2
HOW TO CITE THIS PAGE
What's Your IQ. (2026). Wechsler Memory Scale (1945). In Historical IQ Tests Archive. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from /en/historical-iq-tests/wechsler-memory-scale-1945
EDITORIAL RECORD
First published2026
Last reviewed29 September 2026
Sources6 cited, all from one visible search
Open questionsUsage history; WMS-III and IV contents
Canonical URLwhats-your-iq.com/en/historical-iq-tests/wechsler-memory-scale-1945
KEEP EXPLORING
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Part of the Historical IQ Tests Archive. Editorial content under CC BY-SA 4.0. The WMS is published by Pearson (formerly The Psychological Corporation); no items are reproduced.