Language

Language assessments are carried out using two methods: verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

Verbal reasoning

Verbal reasoning involves the ability to understand and reason using words.

The importance of verbal reasoning

Children with good verbal reasoning ability are thought to do well in curriculum areas that require fluent verbal thinking.

Measuring verbal reasoning

We measure verbal reasoning using a task from the WPPSI (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) for children aged 4 years to 7 years, 7 months or the WASI (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) for children aged 7 years, 7 months and above.

In the test of verbal reasoning, Similarities, children are first presented with pictures of two items which are alike in some way. They are tasked with naming another item from a given selection that is also similar to these items. After 5 trials, they are then given two words and asked how those things might be alike. This assesses the child’s verbal concept formation and reasoning ability.

Non-verbal reasoning

Non-verbal reasoning involves the ability to understand and analyse visual information and solve problems using visual skills.

The importance of non-verbal reasoning

Children with good non-verbal reasoning ability are better at recognising visual sequences and identifying relationships between visual objects. This ability enables individuals to analyse and solve complex problems without relying upon language skills.

Measuring non-verbal reasoning

We measure verbal reasoning using tasks from the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) for children aged 4 years to 7 years, 7 months or the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) for children aged 7 years, 7 months and above.

Children complete the Block Design task. They are presented with a series of two-dimensional designs, and they must recreate the designs using coloured blocks.