If your child is struggling with schoolwork, a cognitive assessment can help identify their strengths and the tasks they find difficult. It can also help clarify their learning needs when they show advanced abilities.
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) assesses thinking and reasoning in children aged 6 years to 16 years and 11 months.
What does the WISC-V measure?
The WISC-V examines five areas:
- Verbal comprehension: understanding words, explaining ideas and reasoning through language.
- Visual spatial ability: understanding visual information and relationships between shapes.
- Fluid reasoning: recognising patterns and solving unfamiliar problems.
- Working memory: holding information in mind while using it.
- Processing speed: completing straightforward visual tasks accurately and efficiently.
The assessment also provides a Full Scale IQ score. The psychologist considers this score alongside performance in each area to understand your child’s strengths and difficulties.
When might an assessment help?
Parents or teachers may suggest an assessment when a child continues to struggle with learning, finds some school tasks much harder than others, or shows advanced abilities.
For example, a child may understand an explanation but have difficulty remembering several instructions. An assessment can help identify the factors affecting their learning and guide recommendations for support.
Before testing, the psychologist will discuss your concerns and what you and your child’s school want to understand.
What happens during the assessment?
Your child works individually with a psychologist on structured activities, such as answering questions, solving visual problems and remembering information.
The psychologist will explain what to expect and how to prepare for the assessment.
How are the results explained?
The psychologist considers the test results alongside your child’s development, school experience and behaviour during the assessment. Information from parents and teachers also helps clarify the difficulties you have noticed.
Your psychologist will explain what the results mean for your child and how they can guide support at home and school.
Is the WISC-V the same as an academic assessment?
No. The WISC-V assesses thinking and reasoning. An academic assessment such as the WIAT-4 examines reading, writing, mathematics and oral language skills.
A psychologist may recommend both as part of a psychoeducational assessment, which examines a child’s thinking abilities and academic skills. The choice of tests depends on the concerns being explored.
Read more about the difference between the WISC and WIAT.
WISC-V assessment at Mind Institute
Mind Institute offers WISC-V and WIAT-4 psychoeducational assessment in Doha.
Meet our clinical team or contact us to discuss your concerns and whether an assessment would help your child.