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Documentation · 1974

WISC-R (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised): Dominant child IQ test 1974-1991

1974 revision of the 1949 WISC. The dominant child IQ test from 1974 through 1991. 12 subtests (6 Verbal, 6 Performance) for ages 6-16. Replaced by WISC-III (1991), WISC-IV (2003), and WISC-V (2014).

Read About the Test

About the WISC-R (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised)

David Wechsler's 1974 WISC-R was the major revision of his 1949 Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. The norm sample (2,200 children aged 6-16 stratified by 1970 US Census variables) was the most representative child IQ norms ever produced at that time. Items were updated to remove cultural biases identified in the 1949 form.

The 12-subtest structure mirrored adult Wechsler tests: 6 Verbal (Information, Similarities, Arithmetic, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Digit Span supplemental) and 6 Performance (Picture Completion, Picture Arrangement, Block Design, Object Assembly, Coding, Mazes supplemental). Yielded Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, and Full Scale IQ on mean-100 SD-15 metric.

WISC-R dominated child intellectual assessment for 17 years. It was the test used in landmark legal cases on IQ-based educational classification (Larry P. v. Riles, 1972/1979). Replaced by WISC-III (1991), WISC-IV (2003), and WISC-V (2014); each revision refined the factor structure and added newer measures of working memory and processing speed.

Copyright note: WISC-R items are copyrighted (Pearson). For public-domain child intelligence tests, see Binet-Simon 1905 or Kuhlmann-Anderson 1927.

The 2 subtests

#1
Verbal Scale Information, Similarities, Arithmetic, Vocabulary, Comprehension (+ Digit Span supplemental).
Copyrighted
#2
Performance Scale Picture Completion, Picture Arrangement, Block Design, Object Assembly, Coding (+ Mazes supplemental).
Copyrighted

Sample Items (Illustrative)

Items are presented as direct questions or tasks that require verbal or non-verbal responses. Responses are scored based on accuracy, completeness, and sometimes speed, with correct answers receiving full credit.

Sample 1 · Verbal Scale: Information
What is the capital of France?
Example response: Paris
Sample 2 · Verbal Scale: Similarities
In what way are a cat and a dog alike?
Example response: Both are animals/pets.
Sample 3 · Performance Scale: Picture Completion
Look at this picture of a house. What is missing?
Example response: The chimney is missing.
Sample 4 · Performance Scale: Block Design
Use these colored blocks to recreate this pattern.
Example response: The child successfully arranges the blocks to match the given pattern.
Sample 5 · Verbal Scale: Arithmetic
If you have 3 apples and you buy 2 more, how many apples do you have in total?
Example response: 5

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

Source

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

Wechsler, D. (1974). WISC-R Manual. New York: Psychological Corporation.

WISC-R items are copyrighted (Pearson). We document the format and historical role.

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