The Wide Range Achievement Test 4 (WRAT4) has superceded the WRAT3 and is the latest offering in a test series first published in 1946. The WRAT4 features:
- Updated norms. (US) Age-based norms have also been extended from 75 years (third edition) to 94 years (fourth edition)
- An entirely new measure of reading achievement; Sentence Comprehension, has been added in response to user feedback suggesting a need for a measure of reading comprehension
- Collection of initial data for psychological,educational and vocational assessments
- Assessment of academic progress over time
- Re-evaluation of individuals diagnosed with learning and/or cognitive disabilities
- In conjunction with the WRAT-Expanded, a broader range of academic skills can be assessed for the diagnosis of specific learning disorders through the identification of discrepancies between attainment and reasoning ability.
The WRAT4 includes four sub-tests:
- Word Reading measures letter and word decoding through identification and word recognition
- Sentence Comprehension measures ability to gain meaning from words and to comprehend ideas and information contained in sentences through the use of a modified closed technique
- Spelling measures ability to encode sounds into written form through the use of a dictated spelling format containing both letters and words
- Maths Computation measures ability to perform basic mathematical computations through counting, identifying numbers, solving simple oral problems and calculating written maths problems.
In addition to providing detailed scores and interpretative information for the sub-tests, WRAT4 also yields a Reading Composite score obtained by combining the Word Reading and Sentence Comprehension scores.
Although the WRAT4 will most often be administered individually, the Spelling and Maths Computation sub-tests can be administered to small groups. It is recommended that small groups be limited to no more than 5 participants.
Alternate forms (the Blue Form and the Green Form) were developed and equated during standardisation. These can be used interchangeably with comparable results thus permitting re-testing within short periods of time without the potential practice effects that may occur when repeating the same items. The alternate forms can also be administered together (i.e. Combined Form) in a single assessment.
Derived scores were developed for both age and grade referenced groups. Standard scores, percentiles, stanines, normal curve equivalents and Rasch scaled scores are provided.
Additional Product Resources
To view the WRAT4 bibliography, click here.