How do I Interpret Subtest Scores on IQ Tests?

When looking at subtest scores on an IQ test, you must first be familiar with the version of the IQ test you are using. The most popular and most often used IQ test is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, third Edition. This test provides a Verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Full Scale IQ. Each IQ index is made up of smaller tests called subtests.

Things You'll Need

• Scale scores of each subtest
• Calculator
• Paper and pencil

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Instructions

• 1

  Familiarize yourself the basic statistics behind the scale score of each subtest. For each subtest of the IQ test, the average score is 10 and the standard deviation is three. This means that any score between eight and 11 is considered average. Scores of seven and below or 12 and above represent strengths and weaknesses respectively.

• 2

  Organize your subtests by domain. Place all of the verbal subtests in one column and the performance subtests in another column. Next, rank them in order of their scale scores. This will allow you to see natural strengths and weaknesses based on the average of 10 and standard deviation of three.

• 3

  Look for scale scores that are one and half or more standard deviations away from the mean of 10. Scores of five and lower, for example, indicate areas of weakness. Scores of 12 and higher indicate areas of strength.

• 4

  Search for common themes across the subtest domains. For example, if you notice weaker scores in areas of verbal reasoning, and higher scores in areas of visual problem solving, this begins to give you an idea your problem-solving style.