The utility of seven-subtest short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III in young adults

Along with ongoing research on the WAIS-R, short forms of the WAIS-III have attracted much attention. However, few studies of WAIS-III short forms are based on normal samples or on the validation of estimated indexes. This study examined the utility of two seven-subtest short forms in 81 healthy young adults in Taiwan with the administration of the WAIS-III (Chinese version). Participants were recruited from three high schools and one university. Comparison of both the IQs and indexes from full administration and short forms was investigated extensively by using six different criteria. Results supported the utility of the seven-subtest short form, which includes Information, Arithmetic, Similarity, Digit Span, Picture Completion, Matrix Reasoning, and Digit Symbol. This short form can be used to estimate Full Scale IQ Verbal IQ Performance IQ, Verbal Comprehension Index, and Working Memory Index in young adults. Thus the study was a cross-validation of the seven-subtest short form used in clinical settings. In addition, from a cross-cultural perspective, it was also a validation of the seven-subtest short forms of the WAIS-III (Chinese version).