How are exams graded (i.e. WPPSI®) in terms of things like coding. For example, do vertical or horizontal lines need to be perfect in order to be counted?

The directions are as clear as they can be for a tester as to when a child receives credit for an answer and when she does not.  As it happens, with coding, vertical and horizontal lines or circles don’t need to be perfectly drawn as long as the mark is recognizable.

With the WPPSI®, each different question has its own rules as to whether or not credit is given.  For example, on an information question, if a child points to the correct answer and also gives an incorrect verbal response, no credit is given.  On object assembly (borderless puzzles), a child gets credit for the number of correct junctures (where two pieces join) but if there is a gap of more than .25 inches, no credit is given for a juncture.

On most intelligence tests administered by psychologists, the rules are clear about when to give credit and when not to give credit.  A good tester will do whatever she can to help a child do her best when tested, either by redirecting her, asking a clarifying question, or reminding her to be neat on the next question when her lack of precision is being counted against her.  This is not the case with the OLSAT®, where a proctor administers the test.  Here, the questions are asked and no redirection or clarification is allowed.