Date of Graduation

Spring 2013

Degree

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Steven Capps

Abstract

The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Third Edition (WIAT-III) and the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ III ACH) are two standardized commercial assessments of academic achievement utilized in clinical, educational, and research settings. Both instruments purport to measure academic achievement in a variety of curricular areas. Both produce subtest and composite or cluster scores in the form of standard scores, percentile ranks, age/grade equivalent scores, stanines, and normal curve equivalent scores. In the current study, similar subtest and composite or cluster standard scores were correlated to determine the degree of convergent validity between the two tests. The sample consisted of adults (18 years and older; n = 50; 25 matched pairs) and children (Ages 7-17; n = 24; 12 matched pairs) presenting for evaluation related to cognitive and/or psychological issues. Results indicate significant correlations for 10 of the 13 direct composite-cluster and subtest-subtest comparisons. Additionally, mean standard scores were compared to determine any significant differences between composites and clusters or subtests. The findings of this study support the use of either the WIAT-III or WJ III ACH for similar purposes.

Keywords

Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Third Edition (WIAT-III), Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ III ACH), academic achievement, assessment, standardized achievement test, convergent validity

Subject Categories

Psychology

Copyright

© Gwendolyn Rae Page

Campus Only

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