Effects of prior testing with the WAIS-R NI on subsequent retest with the WAIS-R

Seven subtests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Revised as a Neuropsychological Instrument (WAIS-R NI) were administered to 20 nonreferred university students. The same participants were administered the corresponding subtests from the WAIS-R 3 to 4 weeks later. Data concerning amount and consistency of change in ‘scaled scores’ were compared to those reported by Wechsler (1981) for test-retest with the WAIS-R. Performance on standard items was also compared to performance on multiple choice items from the WAIS-R NI. Gains observed in subtest ‘scaled scores’ at retest were comparable to those reported by Wechsler (1981). A substantial minority of participants obtained lower scores on some multiple choice items than they did on corresponding standard items. Implications and limitations of the current data, and the pressing need for comprehensive normative data for the WAIS-R NI are discussed.