If you or your child are scheduled for a WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition) or WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition) assessment, you might be wondering what to expect. These assessments are commonly used by psychologists to measure cognitive abilities, such as intelligence, problem-solving, memory, and processing speed. Whether you’re a parent preparing your child for their assessment or an adult heading into your own evaluation, it’s helpful to know what will happen during the process.

1. The Purpose of the Assessment

Firstly, these tests aren’t pass or fail exams. Instead, they are designed to get a clear picture of a person’s cognitive strengths and areas where they might need support. The results can help psychologists understand how someone processes information, their intellectual abilities, and can inform educational planning, treatment for learning disabilities, or even career guidance.

2. Getting to Know You

Prior to the assessment, your clinician will have an intake session with you. This is an opportunity for you clinician to understand you and gather any relevant history to support the results of the assessment.

3. The Testing Environment

When you arrive at CQ Psych Services, you’ll typically be seated in the waiting room before your psychologist greets you. Your psychologist will take you to a quiet, comfortable room. This space is meant to help you, or your child feel at ease. The psychologist will introduce themselves, explain the purpose of the assessment, and discuss with you what to expect during the session.

4. The Assessment

Both the WISC-V (for children) and WAIS-IV (for adults) involve a series of tasks designed to measure different cognitive skills. You may be asked to solve puzzles, answer questions that require you to think quickly, or recall a list of numbers or words. The tasks are designed to assess both verbal abilities and non-verbal reasoning, so you might be doing a mix of listening, talking, and using visual tools. The goal is to see how you process and manage different kinds of information.

The test usually takes between 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the age of the person being assessed. For children, the psychologist might make the experience more engaging by turning certain tasks into a game-like activity. For adults, the tests are more straightforward but still require focused attention and problem-solving. Most tasks will involve direct interaction with the psychologist, and the psychologist will guide you through each activity.

5. After the Assessment

Once the assessment is complete, the psychologist will score your results, analyse them and write a report. This process can take some time, but you’ll have a follow-up session to discuss the results. The psychologist will explain your cognitive strengths, areas for improvement, and how these results might impact learning or daily functioning. Depending on the reason for the assessment, the psychologist may provide recommendations for additional support or next steps.

While undergoing a WISC-V or WAIS-IV assessment might sound daunting, it’s actually a very straightforward process aimed at helping you or your child better understand your cognitive profile. Remember, it’s not about judging intelligence—it’s about identifying strengths and areas for growth. So, just relax, focus on doing your best, and know that the psychologist is there to guide and support you every step of the way!

If you have any questions about our cognitive assessments or would like to book in with our team of highly skilled and well-experienced psychologists, reach out by giving us a call on (07) 4972 6929 or sending us an email at admin@cqpsychservices.com.au. We are here to help.

Author: Nina Galletta

Provisional Psychologist