Wechsler Individual Achievement Test | Fourth Edition

Why do the WIAT-4 audio files sometimes sound cut off or incomplete?

The audio files are complete; however, some multimedia applications trim slightly into a track to allow smooth transitions. We recommend using Quicktime, iTunes/Apple Music, or Windows Media Player for the cleanest, most reliable playback of the WIAT-4 audio files.

How are the Oral Discourse Comprehension audio files organized?

By default, the WIAT-4 audio files are organized into folders by subtest

Within the Oral Discourse Comprehension folder:

• Files are organized in standard administration order when sorted alphabetically
• Files that may be used for more than one item will be named accordingly (e.g., Item 08_09)

Within the Phonemic Proficiency folder:

• Files are organized into subfolders, by section, to align with Phonemic Proficiency discontinuation rules
• Files for the demonstration items appear first in each section's subfolder and are followed by the remaining items for that section listed in administration order

Why does the Composite Structure section of the Record Form show the Essay Composition subtest for Grades 4-12+ but not for Grade 3?

Essay Composition can be administered at Grade 3, but this subtest is not included in the Written Expression composite until Grade 4.

What should the examiner do if the examinee cannot read the target word for one or more items on the Sentence Writing Fluency subtest?

The examiner is not permitted to read the target words for the examinee. However, examinees are permitted to skip an item, if needed, as indicated in the administration instructions.

How is WIAT-4 Essay Composition scored?

Option 1

The Essay Composition subtest can be scored automatically via Q-global or Q-interactive. Automated scoring is more consistent but just as reliable as hand scoring. Human scores and automated scores share a strong correlation.

Option 2

For paper and pencil customers without access to Q-global or Q-interactive, Essay Composition can be hand scored using the (correct minus incorrect word sequences) scoring rules provided in the manual.

How do I use automated scoring?

To use automated scoring, you will need internet access and a Q-global or Q-interactive account that includes WIAT-4. The following steps are followed to utilize automated scoring of Essay Composition:

• Step 1: The examinee hand writes the essay in the Response Booklet;
• Step 2: Within Q-global or Q-interactive, the examiner transcribes the essay by typing the essay exactly as it was written into the essay entry field;
• Step 3: The essay is submitted and scored by Pearson's Intelligent Essay Assessor™ (IEA). Results are returned in seconds.

How do I transcribe letter reversals?

Letter reversals are not penalized in scoring, so you would type those letters in normally.

How do I transcribe illegible words?

Illegible words should be clarified following the guidelines provided in the manual.

Why do examinees hand write, instead of type, their essays?

Typing is a skill that not all examinees have acquired. Under timed conditions, examinees who type well can write more and score higher than examinees who cannot type well. In addition, many students, especially in the early grades, hand write essays in school, so this method has ecological validity.

Did the Essay Composition scoring rules change from WIAT-III to WIAT-4?

The WIAT-4 scoring rules are based on the (unchanged) Grammar & Mechanics score from the WIAT-III, which correlates strongly with overall writing quality and has high clinical sensitivity. The WIAT-III scores for Word Count and Content & Organization are not included in the WIAT-4; instead, a Content and Organization Qualitative Analysis is provided to assess these areas.

What is the Intelligent Essay Assessor (IEA)?

A patented technology based on over twenty years of research and development, IEA has been proven to score written essays as accurately as trained human scorers. IEA scores essays based on the traits included in the hand scoring rubric.

How does the IEA score an essay?

The IEA scoring engine assesses the grammar/syntax and the mechanics of the transcribed essay. When an examiner submits an essay for scoring, the IEA assesses features of the essay and compares the essay to a training set - a large database of training essays previously scored by human scorers. The IEA assigns a score based in part on the similarity of the essay to the training set.

Can the IEA score highly unusual or very brief essays?

Examiners should not attempt to score essays that are written in a language other than English, incomprehensible essays (e.g., essays with a high number of severely misspelled words), or essays that are completely off topic (i.e., the examinee did not follow the instructions). Essays must have a minimum word count of 30 to be scored; however, at least 40 words is recommended.

Is there a way to administer the WIAT-4 remotely in two separate locations?

Digital assets are available for remote administration of the WIAT-4. WIAT-4 telepractice guidance documents are provided here.

Are there special considerations for interpreting WIAT-4 results with students who struggled to learn virtually during the pandemic?

Guidance for score interpretation following a period of educational disruption is included in the WIAT-4 Technical & Interpretive manual, and on the Pearson telepractice website under Resources.

Will there be a validity study with the WIAT-4 and WPPSI-IV?

The data collection for the WIAT-4/WPPSI-IV validity study was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Publication of this study is TBD.

Why are some subtests and composites omitted from the AAD table in the manual and the AAD section of the score report?

Scores are not reported when the achievement score equals or exceeds the ability scores.

Why can I conduct a PSW analysis but not an AAD analysis using the WIAT-4 and WPPSI-IV?

The PSW analysis uses the reliability of the measures, which are available for both tests. However, the AAD analyses use the correlations of the measures, which are not yet available.

Why is the AAD predicted-difference analysis in my WIAT-4 score report missing the comparison that I need?

The correlations between some of the WIAT-4 scores and the ability scores are too low to support the AAD predicted-difference analysis. Correlations lower than .40 are not reported to prevent prediction based on variables with a relatively weak relationship, which will lead to a strong regression toward the mean effect. To determine which correlations are available for use in the AAD predicted-difference analysis, refer to Table F.5 in the WIAT-4 Technical & Interpretive Manual.

Will there be a validity study with the WIAT-4 and the WAIS?

Yes, these data will publish with the upcoming WAIS-V. At the time of the WIAT-4 development, WAIS-V was also in development so the decision was made to complete the validity study using both new versions. The WIAT-4/WAIS-V validity study was planned for a release with both new measures at approximately the same time. However, WAIS-V data collection was paused due to the pandemic and became out of sync with the WIAT-4 release. More information about this validity study will be available as the WAIS-V development and release unfolds.

When calculating the Oral Reading Fluency raw score by hand, should a raw score with a decimal be rounded?

Yes, if the initial ORF raw score yields a decimal, round up or down as appropriate. For example, 152.39= 152 and 155.59 = 156.

When calculating the Oral Reading Fluency completion times, are milliseconds considered?

No, completion times are entered in seconds, disregarding any milliseconds. For example, a completion time of 97 seconds, 50 milliseconds is entered as 97 seconds.