WAIS Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which WAIS-IV subtest requires the examinee to select a picture that best completes a logical matrix?
- Matrix Reasoning (Correct answer)
- Visual Puzzles
- Block Design
- Picture Completion
Correct answer: Matrix Reasoning
Matrix Reasoning presents incomplete visual matrices and asks examinees to identify the missing piece from response options.
Question 2: The PRI is considered a measure of which broad cognitive ability in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) model?
- Fluid intelligence (Gf) (Correct answer)
- Crystallized intelligence (Gc)
- Processing speed (Gs)
- Short-term memory (Gsm)
Correct answer: Fluid intelligence (Gf)
PRI tasks require novel problem-solving with visual stimuli, aligning with fluid intelligence (Gf) in the CHC model.
Question 3: In Block Design, what does a significantly slower completion time relative to accuracy suggest about an examinee's performance?
- Intact design accuracy but possible processing speed deficit (Correct answer)
- Strong spatial construction skills overall
- Deficient working memory capacity
- Superior perceptual organization
Correct answer: Intact design accuracy but possible processing speed deficit
Block Design is timed, so slow but accurate performance suggests spatial construction ability is present but execution speed is reduced.
Question 4: Visual Puzzles on the WAIS-IV requires the examinee to do which of the following WITHOUT physically manipulating objects?
- Mentally reassemble a completed puzzle from component pieces (Correct answer)
- Identify a missing piece in an incomplete picture
- Arrange cards depicting a social story in order
- Match colors on blocks to a printed model
Correct answer: Mentally reassemble a completed puzzle from component pieces
Visual Puzzles assesses mental rotation and spatial synthesis by having examinees identify three pieces that reconstruct a target design.
Question 5: Which finding would most strongly suggest a specific deficit in spatial visualization rather than a general PRI weakness?
- Low Block Design and Visual Puzzles with average Matrix Reasoning (Correct answer)
- Uniformly low scores across all PRI subtests
- Low PRI combined with low PSI
- Low Matrix Reasoning with average Block Design
Correct answer: Low Block Design and Visual Puzzles with average Matrix Reasoning
Selectively low spatial construction subtests (Block Design, Visual Puzzles) alongside intact abstract reasoning (Matrix Reasoning) points to a spatial-specific deficit.
Question 6: On the WAIS-IV, Picture Completion was moved from a core PRI subtest to supplemental status primarily because:
- It showed lower g-loadings than the three core PRI subtests (Correct answer)
- It required verbal responses unlike the other PRI tasks
- It was too easy for most adult examinees
- It relied heavily on crystallized knowledge
Correct answer: It showed lower g-loadings than the three core PRI subtests
Psychometric analyses showed Picture Completion had weaker g-loadings and factor alignment compared to Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, and Visual Puzzles.
Question 7: A PRI score that is significantly higher than the VCI is most commonly associated with which population or learning profile?
- Individuals with language-based learning disabilities or limited English proficiency (Correct answer)
- Individuals with nonverbal learning disabilities
- Individuals with ADHD and processing speed deficits
- Individuals with high crystallized intelligence
Correct answer: Individuals with language-based learning disabilities or limited English proficiency
A PRI > VCI pattern is frequently observed when verbal or language difficulties depress VCI while nonverbal reasoning remains intact.
WAIS Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) 2
Which WAIS-IV subtest requires the examinee to select a picture that best completes a logical matrix?