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Documentation · 1990

Differential Ability Scales (DAS): CHC-aligned child IQ alternative to WISC

British-American IQ test for ages 2.5 to 17. 17 cognitive subtests grouped by age-appropriate cores. Strong fluid/crystallized differentiation in line with CHC theory. Used widely in US school psychology as an alternative to WISC-V.

Read About the Test

About the Differential Ability Scales (DAS)

Colin Elliott's 1990 Differential Ability Scales (DAS) was the American adaptation of his British Ability Scales (BAS, 1979). DAS measures cognitive abilities through 17 subtests organized into age-appropriate cores for early years (2:6-5:11) and school age (6:0-17:11). Subtests assess verbal ability, nonverbal reasoning, spatial ability, and (in school age) working memory and processing speed.

DAS yields a General Conceptual Ability (GCA) score - the equivalent of FSIQ in Wechsler scales - plus cluster scores for Verbal, Nonverbal Reasoning, and Spatial abilities. The factor structure aligns well with Carroll-Horn-Cattell (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities, making DAS one of the most theoretically-grounded child IQ tests.

DAS-II (2007) is the current edition. It is widely used in US school psychology as an alternative to WISC-V, particularly when finer differentiation among cognitive abilities is needed (e.g., for specific learning disability diagnosis). Pearson holds active copyright.

Copyright note: DAS items are copyrighted (Pearson). Clinical use requires examiner qualification.

The 4 subtests

#1
Core Verbal Word Definitions, Similarities, Verbal Comprehension.
Copyrighted
#2
Core Nonverbal Reasoning Matrices, Sequential & Quantitative Reasoning.
Copyrighted
#3
Core Spatial Pattern Construction, Recall of Designs.
Copyrighted
#4
Diagnostic Subtests Working Memory, Processing Speed, Recall of Digits, etc.
Copyrighted

Read the Original

The following are legitimate free or borrowable full-text sources for this test or its primary documentation:

Sample Items (Illustrative)

Items are presented as questions or tasks, often with visual or verbal prompts. Responses are scored based on accuracy and adherence to expected patterns or definitions.

Sample 1 · Core Verbal: Word Definitions
What does the word 'optimistic' mean?
Example response: Having a positive outlook or expecting the best outcome.
Sample 2 · Core Nonverbal Reasoning: Matrices
Complete the pattern: [Image of a 3x3 grid with the last cell missing, showing a sequence of shapes changing in color and orientation].
Example response: Select the shape that matches the sequence in color and orientation from the provided options.
Sample 3 · Core Spatial: Pattern Construction
Using the blocks provided, replicate the pattern shown in the picture.
Example response: Correctly arrange the blocks to match the pattern in the picture.
Sample 4 · Diagnostic Subtests: Working Memory
Repeat the following sequence of numbers backward: 4, 7, 2, 9.
Example response: 9, 2, 7, 4

These are illustrative samples, not actual items from the protected test.

Source

All test materials and historical content on this page are transcribed from:

Elliott, C.D. (1990). Differential Ability Scales. Psychological Corporation.

DAS is published by Pearson; current edition DAS-II (2007). All items copyrighted.

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