The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) is the leading IQ test for young children ages 2½–7. Administered individually by a psychologist, it measures cognitive ability across five areas and produces a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ). Used for early gifted identification and developmental assessment in the youngest learners.
Five indices designed for young children. The younger age band (2:6–3:11) uses fewer subtests; the older band (4:0–7:7) adds Fluid Reasoning and Processing Speed. All tasks are picture-based — no reading required.
Index 1
Verbal Comprehension
20%
of FSIQ
Receptive VocabularyCore
VocabularyCore
InformationCore
No reading required. All picture- and word-based responses.
Index 2
Visual Spatial
20%
of FSIQ
Block DesignCore
Object AssemblyCore
Pure spatial tasks — no language required to succeed.
Index 3
Fluid Reasoning
20%
ages 4–7 only
Matrix ReasoningCore
Picture ConceptsCore
Abstract reasoning — ages 4:0–7:7 only.
Index 4
Working Memory
20%
of FSIQ
Picture MemoryCore
Zoo LocationsCore
Age-appropriate memory tasks using pictures and animal cards.
Index 5
Processing Speed
20%
ages 4–7 only
Bug SearchCore
CancellationCore
Speed of visual processing — ages 4:0–7:7 only.
Full Content Outline
WPPSI-IV Index & Subtest Breakdown
Every subtest your child may encounter, designed for ages 2–7. All tasks use pictures or objects — no reading required. Click each index to expand the full detail.
Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI)3 subtests · 20%
1. Receptive Vocabulary
The examiner says a word and the child points to the matching picture from a set of four options. No speaking required.
What it tests:
›Understanding of spoken words (listening vocabulary)
›Visual-auditory association
›Word knowledge without expressive demand
Example question type:
"Point to the umbrella." (Child points to correct picture from four choices.)
2. Vocabulary
The examiner points to a picture in a book and asks the child to name the object or describe what is happening.
What it tests:
›Expressive vocabulary and naming ability
›Visual identification and concept knowledge
›Language development stage
Example question type:
"What is this?" (Child names pictured objects shown in a stimulus book.)
3. Information
Questions about the child's general knowledge of the world. Answered verbally or by pointing to a picture response.
What it tests:
›General world knowledge appropriate for age
›Long-term memory for learned facts
›Breadth of environmental experience
Example question type:
"How many legs does a dog have?" or "Where does a fish live?"
Visual Spatial Index (VSI)2 subtests · 20%
1. Block Design
The child assembles colored blocks to match a model built by the examiner (younger children) or a picture on a card (older children). Age-appropriate designs used throughout.
What it tests:
›Spatial analysis and visual-motor coordination
›Part-to-whole assembly in 3D space
›Spatial planning and sequential construction
Example question type:
Use these blocks to build what I made — or to match the picture on the card.
2. Object Assembly
Puzzle pieces are placed face-down and pushed across the table to the child, who assembles them into a recognizable object within a time limit.
What it tests:
›Spatial synthesis and visual-motor integration
›Planning, organization, and persistence
›Ability to work quickly under mild time pressure
Example question type:
Put these pieces together to make a picture of something — as fast as you can.
Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI)2 subtests · ages 4–7
1. Matrix Reasoning
A picture grid with one missing cell. The child selects which picture from five options completes the pattern. Simpler grids than the WISC-V version.
What it tests:
›Visual pattern recognition and inductive reasoning
›Abstract thinking without language
›Fluid intelligence — the earliest measurable form
Example question type:
Which picture completes the pattern in the empty box?
2. Picture Concepts
Two or three rows of pictures are shown. The child chooses one picture from each row so that the selected pictures all share a common concept or category.
What it tests:
›Abstract categorical thinking at a picture level
›Reasoning about visual concepts without words
›Identifying shared attributes across rows
Example question type:
Point to one picture from each row so they all share something in common.
Working Memory Index (WMI)2 subtests · 20%
1. Picture Memory
One or more pictures are shown briefly on a stimulus page. The child then points to those pictures on a larger response page that contains distractors.
What it tests:
›Visual short-term memory for objects
›Recognition memory — age-appropriate for preschoolers
›Attention and selective encoding
Example question type:
Look at this picture. (Page removed.) Now point to what you just saw on this page.
2. Zoo Locations
Animal cards are placed on a zoo map and then removed. The child places each card back in the correct location from memory.
What it tests:
›Spatial working memory for location
›Visuospatial associative learning
›Attention to spatial context and layout
Example question type:
I put these animals in their homes at the zoo. Now put each animal back where it lives.
Processing Speed Index (PSI)2 subtests · ages 4–7
1. Bug Search
A target bug is shown; the child looks across a row of bugs and marks the one that matches the target. Designed to be engaging and age-appropriate for young children.
What it tests:
›Visual scanning speed and accuracy
›Rapid visual matching and comparison
›Sustained attention in a timed task
Example question type:
Circle the bug that looks just like this one — as fast as you can on every row.
2. Cancellation
An array of pictures (random or structured) is presented. The child marks specified target pictures (animals, for example) as quickly as possible, ignoring distractors.
What it tests:
›Processing speed and visual attention
›Visual discrimination with inhibitory control
›Ability to ignore distractors and stay on task
Example question type:
Mark all the animals you see as fast as you can — don't mark the other pictures.
Prep Timeline
4-Week Play-Based Development Schedule
15–20 minutes per day, 4 days per week. All activities should feel like play — never pressure or drilling for very young children.
Note: Activities for ages 2–7 must be play-based. These suggestions develop the underlying skills the WPPSI-IV measures — not test-taking drilling. Always follow your child's lead and keep sessions joyful.
1
Week 1
Vocabulary & Language
›Name pictures in books — ask "what's that?"
›Describe what things do ("a spoon is for eating")
›Play "I spy" to build pointing vocabulary
›Read picture books aloud and discuss new words
2
Week 2
Spatial Play
›Building blocks — towers, bridges, houses
›Shape sorters and pegboard activities
›Simple puzzles (12–24 pieces for ages 4–5)
›Match block patterns from picture cards
3
Week 3
Memory Games
›"I spy" — remember what you saw
›Matching card games (Go Fish, Concentration)
›Simon Says — remember and repeat sequences
›Hide toys and ask child to find them
4
Week 4
Concepts & Reasoning
›Sort objects by category (animals vs. food)
›"Which one doesn't belong?" games
›Picture book discussions — what will happen next?
›Simple pattern games (red, blue, red, blue…)
Build early cognitive skills
Explore our free early childhood cognitive reasoning practice — similar skills to what the WPPSI-IV measures.
The WPPSI-IV generates a Full Scale IQ and five primary index scores. For very young gifted children, ancillary scores provide additional insight.
Full Scale IQ (FSIQ)
Same scale as WISC-V: mean 100, SD 15. Very young gifted children often score in the 125–140+ range. FSIQ ≥ 125–130 is typically considered gifted for preschool programs.
115–124
High Average
125–129
Superior
130+
Very Superior
Primary Index Scores
Five separate scores (VCI, VSI, FRI, WMI, PSI). For young children, individual index scores are often more useful than FSIQ for early intervention planning. A high VCI but average PSI is not unusual in gifted preschoolers.
Ancillary Scores
The Vocabulary Acquisition Index (VAI) and Nonverbal Index (NVI) are particularly useful for English language learners or children with limited English. NVI measures cognitive ability without language demands.
Study Materials
Recommended WPPSI-IV Books
Handpicked guides for parents of young children. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
WPPSI-IV Test Prep for Gifted Preschool Programs
Parent guide and activity workbook covering all five WPPSI-IV index areas with age-appropriate exercises for children ages 3–6.
The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence — Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) is an individually administered IQ test for children ages 2½–7. Administered by a licensed psychologist, it produces a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and five index scores. It is the most widely used IQ test for young children in the United States.
What age is the WPPSI-IV for?
The WPPSI-IV is normed for children ages 2 years, 6 months through 7 years, 7 months. It has two overlapping age bands: the younger band (ages 2:6–3:11) uses fewer subtests appropriate for toddlers; the older band (ages 4:0–7:7) includes Fluid Reasoning and Processing Speed subtests.
Can a 3-year-old take an IQ test?
Yes — the WPPSI-IV is specifically designed for children as young as 2½. Scores at very young ages are considered less predictive than scores at age 5+, but they are useful for early gifted identification and developmental assessment. Psychologists take age reliability into account when interpreting results.
What score is gifted for young children?
Most gifted preschool programs use FSIQ ≥ 125–130 as the threshold. Some highly selective programs (e.g., gifted kindergarten programs) may require 130+ or 135+. Young children's scores can fluctuate more than older children's — many programs recommend retesting at age 6–7.
How is WPPSI-IV different from WISC-V?
The WPPSI-IV is designed for ages 2½–7; the WISC-V covers ages 6–16. They overlap at ages 6–7. Both are published by Pearson and produce FSIQ plus five index scores, but WPPSI-IV subtests are specifically designed for young children — shorter, picture-based, no reading or writing required.