The Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities is a set of

intelligence tests An intelligence quotient (IQ) is a total score derived from a set of standardized tests or subtests designed to assess human intelligence. Originally, IQ was a score obtained by dividing a person's mental age score, obtained by administering ...

first developed in 1977 by

Richard Woodcock Richard Wesley Woodcock (January 29, 1928 – January 2, 2024) was an American psychometrician. He is known for his work on the Cattell–Horn–Carroll theory of human intelligence and for his work in the development of several cognitive tests, ...

and Mary E. Bonner Johnson (although Johnson's contribution is disputed).Mary E. Bonner Johnson, Appellant, v. Richard W. Woodcock, Appellee
/ref> It was revised in 1989, again in 2001, and most recently in 2014; this last version is commonly referred to as the WJ IV. They may be administered to children from age two right up to the oldest adults (with norms utilizing individuals in their 90s). The previous edition WJ III was praised for covering "a wide variety of cognitive skills".

Sections of the test

The Cattell–Horn–Carroll theory factors that this test examines are based on 9 broad stratum abilities, although the test is able to produce 20 scores only seven of these broad abilities are more commonly measured: comprehension-knowledge (Gc), fluid reasoning (Gf), short-term memory (Gsm), processing speed (Gs), auditory processing (Ga), visual-spatial ability (Gv), and long-term storage and retrieval (Glr). Comprehension-knowledge (Gc) is the ability to use previous experience, knowledge, and skills, which are valued by one’s culture, to communicate or reason in unique situations. Fluid reasoning (Gf) is defined as the ability to control one’s attention to solve novel problems, without the ability to rely on previous knowledge or schemas. Short-term memory (Gsm) is the ability to encode, maintain, and manipulate information while it is in one’s immediate consciousness. Processing speed (Gs) is the ability to execute simple and repetitive cognitive tasks rapidly and effortlessly. Auditory processing (Ga) is the ability to identify and process meaningful, nonverbal information in sound. Visual processing (Gv) is the ability to use simulated mental imagery to solve problems, and long-term storage and retrieval (Glr) is the ability to store, solidify, and then retrieve information over time.

Published versions

The test is currently in its fourth edition, published by Riverside Insights. The Woodcock-Johnson III and IV are suitable for assessment of

giftedness Intellectual giftedness is an intellectual ability significantly higher than average and is also known as high potential. It is a characteristic of children, variously defined, that motivates differences in school programming. It is thought to per ...

, and for referrals for special education services.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities Intelligence tests Medical assessment and evaluation instruments