WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) Achievement Testing – FAQ’s

At TestingMom.com, we have helped thousands of parents help prepare their children for the WIAT.  Here’s our answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive about the WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV).

What is the age range for the WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV)?

The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) can be administered to any individual from 4 years old to 50 years and 11 months old.

What grade levels are supported on TestingMom.com?

We provide support for the WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) for Pre-Kindergarten through 8^th grade with all levels of membership.

To get started with all of the WIAT testing material offered by TestingMom.com, check out our 100 Free Questions.

How long does it take to complete the WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV)?

The time varies by grade level and the number of subtests administered.

What is the purpose of the WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV), and how is it used?

The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) helps to:

• Identify strengths and weaknesses in an individual’s academic achievement
• Make eligibility, placement, and diagnostic decisions for an individual
• Plan instruction and accommodations
• Monitor progress

What is the difference between the WIAT-III and WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV)?

The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) is an updated version of the WIAT-III. The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) includes several changes and improvements over the previous version.

• Updated Norms: The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) has new norms based on a larger and more diverse sample of individuals, reflecting changes in demographics and educational practices since the WIAT-III was published.
• Expanded Age Range: The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) has extended the age range to include individuals from 4 years to 50 years and 11 months.
• New Subtests: The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) has all the same subtests as the WIAT-III but has added five new subtests – phonemic proficiency, orthographic fluency, decoding fluency, sentence writing fluency, and orthographic choice (only available with the online editions of WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV)).
• Improved Test Structure: The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) has a revised test structure, with a streamlined administration process that provides clearer instructions for the examiners and the test-takers.
• Enhanced Interpretive Report: The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) offers an enhanced interpretive report which gives detailed information on an individual’s performance across all subtests. This report also provides recommendations for intervention and further evaluation if needed. Automatic scoring for the Essay Composition subtest is also included.

Overall, WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) is an updated comprehensive assessment with new subtests and improved normative data. It assesses an individual’s academic achievement and reflects changes in educational practices and demographics.

What do the new subtests on the WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) measure?

• Phonemic Proficiency (Language) – This subtest measures the speed and accuracy of phoneme manipulation. Phonemes are individual sounds within words.  For example, the word “car” has 3 sounds – /c/ /a/ /r/.
• Orthographic Fluency (Reading) – This subtest measures an individual’s orthographic and sight vocabulary. A student reads aloud a list of irregular words as quickly as possible during two timed trials.
• Decoding Fluency (Reading) – This measures the speed of irregular words (or sight vocabulary) and nonsense word reading.
• Sentence Writing Fluency (Writing) – This measures the speed of writing sentences.
• Orthographic Choice (Language) – This recognition spelling subtest assesses a student’s ability to recognize and decode irregularly spelled words. These must be recognized by sight because they aren’t spelled the way they sound.

To get started with all of the WIAT testing material offered by TestingMom.com, check out our 100 Free Questions.

Which subtests are used to determine each Composite Score?

Core Academic Composites and which Subtests they include:

• Reading – Word Reading, Reading Comprehension
• Written Expression – Spelling, Alphabet Writing Fluency, Sentence Composition, Essay Composition
• Mathematics – Numerical Operations, Math Problem Solving

Processing Composites and which Subtests they include:

• Orthographic Processing* – Spelling, Orthographic Fluency, Orthographic Choice
• Phonological Processing* – Phonemic Proficiency, Pseudoword Decoding

Supplemental Composites and which Subtests they include:

• Oral Language – Listening Comprehension, Oral Expression
• Basic Reading* – Word Reading, Pseudoword Decoding, Phonemic Proficiency
• Decoding – Word Reading, Pseudoword Decoding
• Reading Fluency* – Oral Reading Fluency, Orthographic Fluency, Decoding Fluency
• Writing Fluency *– Alphabet Writing Fluency, Sentence Writing Fluency
• Math Fluency – Math Fluency in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication

*Denotes a new Composite Score not included in the WIAT-III.

Note: some subtests are included in more than one Composite Score. Example: Pseudoword Decoding is used to determine the Phonological Processing Composite Score as well as the Basic Reading and Decoding Composite Score.

How is the WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) Test Scored?

The WIAT-4 (WIAT-IV) is based on several derivations of the Status and Growth Scores. Some are as follows:

Status Scores

• Standard Score
• Percentile Rank

Growth Scores

• Age Equivalent
• Grade Equivalent

For Standard Scores, each number/score given shows the level at which your child is performing.

There are several different Report Options for a student’s scores: Score Summary, subtest Comparisons, Achievement/Ability Comparisons, and a Parent Report.

To get started with all of the WIAT testing material offered by TestingMom.com, check out our 100 Free Questions.

See if TestingMom.com supports your child’s test by your school district. If you don't see your child's school district listed, check with us! We have practice for other tests as well.