The WISC

The WISC is one of several standardized measures of intellectual functioning that a psychologist may use. This test, which can only be administered by a psychologist or licensed tester, is meant to be administered to children between the ages of 6 years, 0 months and 16 years, 11 months of age. This test yields three global scales: full scale IQ, verbal IQ, and performance IQ. The full scale IQ is derived from the combination of both verbal and performance measures. The verbal and performance measures are similarly derived from a combination of subscales. This particular test is divided into 10 smaller subscales: 5 verbal and 5 performance. Each subtest attempts to measure a different ability. The subscales are then combined to yield a composite IQ score.

Verbal Scale:

Information - long-term memory, fund of information, formal education, richness of early learning experiences.
Similarities - verbal reasoning, analogic thinking, concept formation
Arithmetic - concrete reasoning, numberical reasoning, facility with numbers
Vocabulary - fund of information, long-term memory, formal education, richness of early learning experiences
Comprehension - verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, social reasoning
Digit Span (optional) - attention, short-term memory, facility with numbers, ability to copy a model

Performance Scale:

Picture Completion - attention to detail, visual organization, logical reasoning
Coding - short-term memory, visual-motor speed and coordination, facility with numbers, attention
Picture Arrangement - attention to detail, visual organization, logical reasoning, social reasoning
Block Design - abstract reasoning, visual-motor organization, ability to copy a model, planning ability.
Object Assembly - visual organization, visual-motor coordination, logical reasoning
Symbol Search - abstract reasoning, ability to mentally copy a model, visual-motor coordination.
Mazes - planning ability, visual-motor coordination

Scores on each subtest can range from a maximum of 19 to a minimum of 1. Normal performance would be indicated by scores between 7-13.

Using a WISC, Tommy's results look like this. Note the significant depression of scores across all areas.

Verbal Scale

Information 4
Similarities 1
Arithmetic 2
Vocabulary 2
Comprehension 2
Digit Span 5

Performance Scale

Picture Completion 5
Coding 4
Picture Arrangement 1
Block Design 6
Object Assembly 2
Symbol Search 4

Full Scale 60
Verbal 63
Performance 58