Not Have a Clue about the WISC-V?

WISC-V: The Basics

The WISC-V is a set of short activities (like little games or puzzles) that help us understand how your child thinks and learns. It’s not about school grades or what your child has memorized—it’s about how their brain works in different ways.

1. Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI): “Word Power”

What is it?
This part checks how well your child understands and uses words.

Why is it called “Comprehension”?
Because it’s about understanding ideas and words, not just knowing facts.

How is it tested?

• Similarities:
  What happens? The examiner says two words (like “dog” and “cat”) and asks, “How are these alike?”
  What’s the point? They’re not testing if your child owns a pet—they want to see if your child can find a connection (like “They’re both animals” or “They’re both pets”).
  If your child doesn’t know cats or dogs? That’s okay! The examiner uses lots of different pairs, and it’s about thinking, not just life experience.

• Vocabulary:
  What happens? Your child is asked, “What does ‘bicycle’ mean?”
  What’s the point? Can your child explain what a word means in their own words?

Analogy:
Think of this as a “talking and thinking” game, not a “trivia” game.

2. Visual-Spatial Index (VSI): “Picture Builder”

What is it?
This checks how your child sees and works with shapes and spaces.

How is it tested?

• Block Design:
  What happens? Your child gets real, colorful blocks and is shown a picture. They have to make their blocks look like the picture.
  Is it on paper or with real blocks? With real blocks!

• Visual Puzzles:
  What happens? Your child sees a picture of a puzzle and has to pick which pieces (from a group) would fit together to make that puzzle.
  Is it hands-on? This one is usually done by pointing or saying answers, not with real puzzle pieces.

Analogy:
Like building with LEGOs or doing a jigsaw puzzle.

3. Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI): “Pattern Detective”

What is it?
This checks how your child solves new problems and finds patterns.

How is it tested?

• Matrix Reasoning:
  What happens? Your child sees a pattern with a missing piece and chooses which option fits best (like a simple Sudoku or “what comes next?” puzzle).

• Figure Weights:
  What happens? Your child sees a picture of a scale with shapes on it and figures out how to balance it by choosing the right shapes.

Analogy:
Like figuring out the next shape in a pattern or balancing a seesaw.

4. Working Memory Index (WMI): “Mental Juggling”

What is it?
This checks how well your child can remember and use information for a short time.

How is it tested?

• Digit Span:
  What happens? The examiner says numbers (“5, 2, 9”) and your child repeats them back. Then, maybe in reverse (“9, 2, 5”), or in order (“2, 5, 9”).
  Is this fair for dyslexic kids? If a child has trouble with numbers or language, it can affect their score, but there’s also a visual version (Picture Span).

• Picture Span:
  What happens? Your child sees a row of pictures (like a dog, a house, a tree), then has to point to them in the same order after they’re hidden.

Analogy:
Like remembering a short grocery list without writing it down, or playing “Simon Says.”

5. Processing Speed Index (PSI): “Brain Quickness”

What is it?
This checks how quickly your child can do simple tasks with their eyes and hands.

How is it tested?

• Coding:
  What happens? Your child gets a sheet with numbers and a “secret code” at the top (like 1 = ★, 2 = ●, 3 = ▲). They have to draw the right symbol under each number as fast as they can for two minutes.
  What’s the point? It’s not about math or drawing—it’s about matching and speed.

• Symbol Search:
  What happens? Your child sees a row of symbols and has to find if a certain symbol is there, marking “yes” or “no” as quickly as possible.

Analogy:
Like playing a matching game or “Where’s Waldo?” against the clock.

Extra Tips and Answers to Common Parent Questions

• Is it all done with paper and pencil?
  Most subtests are hands-on or involve pointing, talking, or drawing. Block Design uses real blocks. Some are on paper.

• Is it a test of what my child knows or how they think?
  It’s mostly about how your child thinks, not just what they know. Some questions use real-life words or objects, but it’s about reasoning and problem-solving.

• What if my child doesn’t know the answer?
  That’s okay! The test is designed so that almost no one gets everything right. It’s about seeing how your child approaches different kinds of problems.

• What does “coding” mean?
  It’s not computer programming! It means using a key to match numbers and symbols quickly—like a secret code game.

• What if my child has a learning disability?
  Some parts may be harder (like Digit Span for dyslexic kids), but the test looks at lots of skills to get a full picture.

Summary Table: WISC-V Subtests in Plain English

Bottom line:

The WISC-V is a set of thinking games that show how your child’s brain works in different ways. It’s not about being “smart” or “not smart”—it’s about understanding how your child learns best, so you and their teachers can help them shine!