Utility of the seven subtest WAIS-R short form in a female sample with brain damage

We examined the accuracy of the WAIS-R seven subtest short form (Ward, 1990) for predicting IQs of 130 females with brain damage or dysfunction. Means for age, education, and FSIQ were 44.37 years (SD = 18.46), 12.74 years (SD = 2.42), and 87.64 (SD = 13.62). Results indicated that 93%, 84%, and 93% of short form estimated VIQs, PIQs, and FSIQs were within +/-5 points of their actual WAIS-R scores. In terms of Wechsler's (1981) seven category intelligence classification, levels of agreement were 83%, 72%, and 82% for the Verbal, Performance, and Full scales, respectively. These findings support the use of the seven subtest short form with brain-damaged women when time is at a premium and only a general estimate of intellectual functioning is required.