Does memory test performance in children become more consistent with age? Cross-sectional comparisons using the WRAML

This study examined intertask consistency on the Wide Range Assessment of M emory and Learning (WRAML), using two age cohorts of children. Eighty-one n eurologically impaired children and 76 matched (i.e., age, gender, race) co ntrols were separated into two age groups, 5- to 9- and 10- to 14-year-olds . Performance on four subtests from the WRAML Memory Screening Index were e xamined. For the older neurologic sample, all six intertask correlations we re significant (mean r =.58) while only three of the six correlation coeffi cients were significant among the younger neurologic group (mean r =.26). I n contrast, only three of the six intertask coefficients were statistically significant in both the younger and older controls. A possible explanation for these divergent findings and clinical implications of intertask variab ility on memory measures are discussed.