What are the age levels for children that the WABC®-S tests? The WABC-S® contains two age-level tests. Level 1 assesses knowledge and use of basic concepts for ages 3;0 to 5;11. Level 2 assesses knowledge and use of basic concepts for ages 5;0 to 7;11. Children from the ages of 5;0 to 5;11 may take both levels.
How long does it take to administer the WABC®-S? Each level of the WABC®-S takes 10-15 minutes to administer. For children ages 5;0 to 5;11 taking both levels, allow approximately 20-30 minutes.
How did you choose the basic concept words tested in the WABC®-S? The adequate selection of vocabulary is crucial to test reliability because children from different countries may use different words or names to describe items. The WABC®-S contains multiple word choices for each one of the two sections, expressive and receptive. These word choices assist in using the child’s appropriate regional vocabulary (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, as well as Central or South American).
Did you compare the WABC®-S to another basic concepts test? Yes. A concurrent validity study was conducted in which the results of the WABC® were compared to the results of the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts-3 Preschool (Boehm-3Preschool) and Boehm Test of Basic Concepts-3 (Boehm-3). The results indicated significant correlations between the Boehm tests and the WABC®-S.
Is the WABC-S® merely a translation? No, the WABC-S® is an interpretation of the English Version, not a direct translation. Some words and items vary based on cultural influences.
Why is it important to assess basic concepts in children? Basic concepts are the building blocks that children must use to follow directions, engage in classroom routines, and provide descriptions of the world around them. They are fundamental for performing everyday tasks such as reading, writing, speaking, and math. Knowledge of these concepts directly relates to academic achievement.
How is the WABC®-S different from other tests of basic concepts? The WABC®-S differs from other basic concept tests in many ways.
First, the WABC®-S evaluates the receptive and expressive use of basic concepts. WABC®-S presents the concepts in opposite (big/small) and/or related pairs (half/whole), rather than single, unrelated concepts.
Second, the test is in an interactive storybook format, giving the examiner the opportunity to test the child in a more natural setting. There is no easel. Instead, the WABC®-S embeds concept pairs or related words in colorfully illustrated scenes of a storybook.
Third, the WABC®-S kit contains two age-level tests for evaluating the understanding and use of basic concepts in Spanish. Level 1 - Un Día en el Zoológico is for the preschool child from 3;0 to 5;11 years. Level 2 - Un Diá en el Parque is for children ages 5;0 to 7;11 in kindergarten and early elementary grades.
How can I use the results of the WABC®-S to identify areas of weakness and write IEP goals? The results of testing for both Level 1 and Level 2 can be summarized on the WABC-S® inventory form. This form categorizes the basic concepts into seven semantic categories: Color/Forma(Color/Shape), Peso/Volumen (Weight/Volume), Distancia/Tiempo/Velocidad (Distance/Time/Speed), Cantidad/Capacidad (Quantity/Completeness), Ubicación/Orientación (Location/Direction), Condición/Calidad (Condition/Quality), Sensación/Emoción/Evaluación (Sensation/Emotion/Evaluation).
Transfer the testing results to the inventory form in order to assist you in writing IEP goals and explaining test results to parents.
May I purchase components of the WABC®-S kit separately? Yes.