WISC-III SUBTEST SCATTER AS A FUNCTION OF HIGHEST SUBTEST SCALED SCORE

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-III) standardiz ation data were analyzed to determine the frequency of occurrence for relative intersubtest scatter ranges. The relative scatter range was d efined as the difference between the highest and lowest subtest scaled scores based on the value of the highest subtest scaled score. This a pproach to intersubtest scatter provides the greatest precision in sca tter analysis to help clinicians determine whether the amount of scatt er obtained in WISC-III clinical profiles is rare enough to be conside red abnormal. For ease of clinical use, tables are provided that repor t frequency of occurrence for the lowest subtest scaled score by each level of highest subtest scaled score. Potential scatter range, rather than overall level of intelligence, was the primary determinant of th e magnitude of scatter; the greater the possible range, the larger the magnitude of scatter.