Evaluation of Three Abbreviated Forms of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition

Abstract

Three abbreviated versions of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition were evaluated using 197 nonexceptional five- and six-year-old children. Evaluation was based on six criteria as suggested in the literature. Usefulness of these criteria was discussed in terms of the performance of the abbreviated composites as estimates of the full-scale composite. The abbreviated batteries provided useful estimates of full-scale composite scores for this group of Canadian children. However, the means for all three abbreviated batteries were significantly higher than the mean of the full-scale composite. The six-subtest battery provided the most accurate estimate of the full-scale composite scores. Accuracy varied significantly with ability level: above average subjetfs showed high proportions of overestimates and classification errors. The four-subtest battery composite mean was two points above the full-scale composite. Errors were larger than with the six-subtest battery but did not vary significantly according to ability classification. The two-subtest battery showed poor results on most criteria, suggesting use should be restricted to the general assessment of group ability.