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Social Processes: Methodology · Types of test


The Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability(WNV) is a nonverbal measure of ability for those for language difficulties. It is suitable for for the following groups in the age range 4-21:

People whose first language is not English,
Individuals who are hearing impaired
Gifted individuals from linguisticaly diverse populations.
Individuals with low incidence disorders such as cerebral palsy, aphasia, expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder

Different sets of subtests are administered according to the subjects age

Two-subtest battery (10-20 minutes)

  • Ages 4-7
    • Matrices
    • Recognition
  • Ages 8-21
    • Matrices
    • Spatial span

Four-subtest battery (30-45 minutes)

  • Ages 4-7
    • Matrices
    • Coding
    • Object assembly
    • Recognition
  • Ages 8-21
    • Matrices
    • Coding
    • Spatial span
    • Picture arrangement

Administration is facilitated by the use of a variety of pictorial directions.

Scoring returns a WNV full scale score and separate subtest scores.

Currently norms are available from US and Canadian populations.


It is particulalry valuable for use in schools with individuals from multiple language backgrounds.

The test was developed by David Wechsler and Jack A Naglieri.

References[]