WPPSI–III Test Preparation Guide

The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI™) is often used as part of the entrance process for students identified as potentially gifted and talented. The current version of the recently restructured intelligence test, WPPSI™–III, features shorter, more game-like activities and simplified scoring procedures. The WPPSI™ (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) is published by Pearson NNC (previously Harcourt Assessment Services).

Similar to the WISC and other intelligence indexes, the WPPSI-III assesses skills and abilities, rather than grade-level knowledge. The test’s propensity toward skills and abilities make for a test-taking experience that is unlike the statewide exams and nationally normed tests (ITBS, Stanford 10, etc.). Thus, preparing for the types of items encountered on the Wechsler Primary is essential, however, the WPPSI is not a test with a defined curriculum for which a child can easily study. You can prepare your children for testing, and beyond the test date, by exposing them to a wide range of thinking activities infused across the curriculum. The idea is to teach children how to think and problem solve, and reflect on their own thinking processes, to improve decision-making skills. Research and countless success stories demonstrate increased scores on IQ tests, such as the WPPSI.

The WPPSI-III score summary is divided into five main areas:

Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) – most reliable and representative of general intellectual functioning. (Information, Vocabulary, Word Reasoning)

Verbal IQ (VIQ) – acquired knowledge, verbal reasoning and comprehension, and attention to verbal stimuli

Performance IQ (PIQ) – fluid reasoning, spatial processing, attentiveness to detail, and visual-motor integration (Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Picture Concepts)

Processing Speed (PSQ) – ability to quickly and correctly scan, sequence, and discriminate simple visual information

Global Language (GLC) – expressive and receptive language abilities

Existing subtests have been modified and new subtests have been added to include more engaging, age-appropriate activities. The scale is now broken out into two age bands, 2 and a half years old (2:6) to 3 years, 11 months (3:11); and 4 years old (4:0) to 7 years, 3 months (7:3).

There are 5 subtests on the WPPSI-III (age band 2:6-3:11 years). There are 14 subtests on the WPPSI-III (age band 4:0-7:3 years). Here’s a look at what the subtests assess.

Five Subtests in the first band (Ages 2:6 to 3:11) Assess

Receptive Vocabulary measures an individual’s ability to identify correct responses to spoken words, for instance, at a picture that represents the word spoken by the examiner. Here’s one subtest in which prior word knowledge does play a role.

Information measures general cultural knowledge, long-term memory, and acquired facts.  Here’s another subtest that challenges students to remember what has been taught previously in school.

Block Design measures an individual’s ability to analyze and synthesize an abstract design and reproduce that design from colored plastic blocks. Spatial visualization and analysis, simultaneous processing, visual-motor coordination, dexterity, and nonverbal concept formation are involved.  The students use logic and reasoning to successfully complete the items.

Object Assembly measures an individual’s ability to analyze and synthesize an abstract design and reproduce that design from colored plastic blocks. Spatial visualization and analysis, simultaneous processing, visual-motor coordination, dexterity, and nonverbal concept formation are involved.  The students use logic and reasoning to successfully complete the items.

Picture Naming assesses an individual's ability to name pictorial stimuli. The student's task is to separate essential and nonessential parts from the whole.  It is necessary to observe each item closely and concentrate on picture detail.  Students must name or indicate the missing part by saying the name of the part or by pointing to it.

14 Subtests in the second band (Ages 4:0 to 7:3) Assess

Block Design measures an individual’s ability to analyze and synthesize an abstract design and reproduce that design from colored plastic blocks. Spatial visualization and analysis, simultaneous processing, visual-motor coordination, dexterity, and nonverbal concept formation are involved.  The students use logic and reasoning to successfully complete the items.

Similarities measures logical thinking, verbal concept formation and verbal abstract reasoning. Two similar but different objects or concepts are presented, and the student is asked to tell how they are alike or different. 

Picture Concepts measures categorical, abstract reasoning, and the items here increase in difficulty. Students are asked to look at two (or three) rows of pictured objects and indicate (by pointing) the single picture from each row that shares a characteristic in common with the single picture(s) from the other row(s). 

Coding measures visual-motor dexterity, associative nonverbal learning, and nonverbal short-term memory.  Fine motor dexterity, speed, accuracy and ability to manipulate a pencil contribute to task success; perceptual organization is also important.

Vocabulary measures the students’ verbal fluency and concept formation, word knowledge, and word usage. Here’s one subtest in which prior knowledge does play a role.

Matrix Reasoning measures visual processing and abstract, spatial perception and may be influenced by concentration, attention, and persistence.

Comprehension is not just ordinary reading comprehension; this subtest measures the students’ common-sense social knowledge, practical judgment in social situations, and level of social maturation, along with the extent of development of their moral conscience.

Symbol Search requires the student to determine whether a target symbol appears among the symbols shown in a search group. Memory is not a primary requirement for success on this task; perception and recognition are the two prime requirements, in addition to speed, accuracy, attention, and concentration. The symbols are geometric forms, rather than familiar letters or numbers.

Picture Completion measures a student's ability to recognize familiar items and to identify missing parts.  The student's task is to separate essential and nonessential parts from the whole.  It is necessary to observe each item closely and concentrate on picture detail.  Students must name or indicate the missing part by saying the name of the part or by pointing to it.

Information measures general cultural knowledge, long-term memory, and acquired facts.  Here’s another subtest that challenges students to remember what has been taught previously in school.

Word Reasoning measures verbal abstract reasoning requiring analogical and categorical thinking, as well as verbal concept formation and expression.

Receptive Vocabulary measures an individual’s ability to identify correct responses to spoken words, for instance, at a picture that represents the word spoken by the examiner. Here’s one subtest in which prior word knowledge does play a role.

Object Assembly measures an individual’s ability to analyze and synthesize an abstract design and reproduce that design from colored plastic blocks. Spatial visualization and analysis, simultaneous processing, visual-motor coordination, dexterity, and nonverbal concept formation are involved.  The students use logic and reasoning to successfully complete the items.

Picture Naming assessing an individual's ability to name pictorial stimuli. The student's task is to separate essential and nonessential parts from the whole.  It is necessary to observe each item closely and concentrate on picture detail.  Students must name or indicate the missing part by saying the name of the part or by pointing to it.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Scroll down and try our easy-order bundles by age/grade, or simply choose items that your children will enjoy at a skill-appropriate level that you think will challenge them. Free printable samples are available for all our materials so you can try before you buy.

Test Prep Bundles and Suggested Test Prep Plan for WPPSI

The subtests of the WPPSI-III cover a large amount of verbal and non-verbal skill areas. For preschool children especially, we recommend working with the bundles over at least one month (six months is ideal), but we also recognize parents often receive a testing date with less than 30-days’ notice. We've laid out a fairly ambitious preparation plan below for your convenience.

If you are really pressed for time, and you see the student has mastery in a section, you may skip ahead. You may also bookmark and return to activities that are more challenging.

One way to measure the mastery is to use the first few items in each activity as a pre-test. If you see that your children answer quickly and correctly, you may want to consider moving on. If they struggle, go through the activities as best you can, but bookmark them and consider going back later for further review.

Using the pre-test technique will give you a good idea of where the child’s strengths and weaknesses are across the skills and abilities covered in the material.

The bundles offer a lot of material, but if you make working with the books part of the daily routine, you’ll be surprised how fast things will move. Remember, the youngest students have shorter attention spans, so 15 minutes a session is fine.

It is also important to point out that all the titles have value well beyond the testing window. Each title will help enhance your child’s ability to reason and analyze, skills that are essential for success in many arenas.

WIPPSI Prep Bundle for Ages 2-3 (Grade PreK) 01448XBP: $155.99 Number of Activities Six Week Program: Daily # One Month Program: Daily # Two Week Program: Daily # Thinker Doodles Beginning 44 1 2 4 Can You Find Me? PreK 80 2 3 6 Mathematical Reasoning™ Beg. Book 1 235 6 8 17 Dr. DooRiddles A1 120 3 4 9 Building Thinking Skills® Beginning 479 11 16 34 Hands-On Thinking Skills 246 6 8 18 Attribute Blocks NA NA NA NA Interlocking Cubes NA NA NA NA Pattern Blocks NA NA NA NA Totals   29 41 88

WIPPSI Prep Bundle for Ages 4-5 (Grades PreK-K) 01449XBP: $165.99 Number of Activities Six Week Program: Daily # One Month Program: Daily # Two Week Program: Daily # Mind Benders® Beginning Book 1 44 1 2 4 Can You Find Me? PreK 80 3 3 6 Mathematical Reasoning™ Beg. Book 2 264 6 9 19 Dr. DooRiddles A2 120 3 4 9 Thinker Doodles A1 44 1 2 3 Building Thinking Skills® Primary 435 11 15 31 Hands-On Thinking Skills 246 6 8 18 Attribute Blocks NA NA NA NA Interlocking Cubes NA NA NA NA Pattern Blocks NA NA NA NA Totals   31 43 81

WIPPSI Prep Bundle for Ages 6-7 (Grades 1-2) 01450XBP: $110.99 Number of Activities Six Week Program: Daily # One Month Program: Daily # Two Week Program: Daily # Mind Benders® Beginning Book 2 43 1 2 3 Mathematical Reasoning™ Level B 264 6 9 19 Math Analogies Book 1 48 1 2 3 Building Thinking Skills® Level 1 1,072 25 36 76 Half n' Half Animals B1 44 1 2 3 Dr. DooRiddles A2 120 3 4 9 Can You Find Me? K-1 80 3 3 6 Totals   40 58 119

Looking for Wechsler test preparation for older children? Visit our Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC-IV) Test Prep Guide and Bundle page.

The contents of these bundles were determined by the CTC Staff and are not endorsed by either the author or publisher. We do not claim that our materials match up exactly to each test or teach all the skills measured in a particular assessment.