A cross-validation of two short forms of the WAIS-R in a geriatric sample suspected of dementia

This study investigated two short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised reported by Silverstein (1982). The short form IQs were calculated from test data of 42 geriatric patients with suspected dementia. The short form IQs were compared to the actual Full Scale IQs. Correlations between the two and four subtest short forms and the actual IQs were .93 and .96, respectively. In addition, the two subtest short forms correctly classified 67% of the sample on the basis of Wechsler's intelligence categories, and the four subtest short forms correctly classified 83% of the sample. It was concluded that these short forms should not be used when a precise IQ assessment is required; however, they may be useful for various screening purposes.