What is the procedure for discontinuation on backward trials in Digit Span?

What is the procedure for discontinuation on backward trials in Digit Span?

• A. After one trial
• B. After zero on both trials
• C. After two trials
• D. After passing the first trial

Answer: (B)

In the Digit Span subtest of the WISC-V, the procedure for discontinuation during backward trials is based on the student’s performance. Specifically, testing continues until the examinee fails two consecutive trials in the backward condition. This approach ensures that the assessment accurately reflects the child’s working memory capacity under increasing demand, as backward trials require more cognitive effort than forward trials. Thus, the correct procedure is to discontinue after scoring zero on both trials, indicating that the child is unable to perform the task at that level, which aligns with the testing standards for determining the maximum span of digits they can manipulate in reverse order. This provides a clear point for ending the testing segment, ensuring an appropriate assessment of the child’s cognitive abilities.

In the Digit Span subtest of the WISC-V, the procedure for discontinuation during backward trials is based on the student’s performance. Specifically, testing continues until the examinee fails two consecutive trials in the backward condition. This approach ensures that the assessment accurately reflects the child’s working memory capacity under increasing demand, as backward trials require more cognitive effort than forward trials.

Thus, the correct procedure is to discontinue after scoring zero on both trials, indicating that the child is unable to perform the task at that level, which aligns with the testing standards for determining the maximum span of digits they can manipulate in reverse order. This provides a clear point for ending the testing segment, ensuring an appropriate assessment of the child’s cognitive abilities.