Block-design test is a type of psychometric test used to assess an individual’s cognitive abilities, primarily their visual-spatial abilities. It is a test of short-term memory and mental processing speed. The test requires the individual to replicate the pattern shown on a card using coloured blocks or pegs. The individual has to remember the pattern and reproduce it without being able to refer back to the card.
The test is typically used to assess visual-spatial abilities in children and adolescents, but it can also be used to assess the cognitive abilities of adults. Block design tests require the individual to mentally manipulate visual information as well as spatial relations. It is thought to assess the ability to think in abstract terms, as well as the ability to plan and organize information.
The most common block design test is the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV). This is a standardized test of intellectual ability that consists of nine subtests. The block design test is one of the subtests and is used to measure visual-spatial ability. The test consists of five cards with different patterns composed of coloured blocks. The individual has to replicate the pattern as quickly as possible using blocks of the same colour. The test is scored based on the accuracy and speed of the individual’s performance.
The block design test has been found to be a reliable measure of visual-spatial ability in both children and adults. It has also been shown to be a valid measure of cognitive ability, as it has been found to be correlated with other measures of intelligence such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV).
Overall, the block design test is a useful and reliable tool for assessing an individual’s cognitive abilities, particularly visual-spatial abilities. It is a valid measure of cognitive ability and can be used to assess the ability to think in abstract terms and to plan and organize information.
References
Baum, S., Owen, S. V., & Dykens, E. M. (2005). The Reliability and Validity of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition Block Design Subtest. Psychological Assessment, 17(4), 476-481.
Lane, S. J., & Prifitera, A. (1998). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition. In D. P. Flanagan & P. L. Harrison (Eds.), Contemporary intellectual assessment: Theories, tests, and issues (pp. 170-195). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Vincent, J. B., & Bracken, B. A. (2005). Block Design Performance in Adolescents: A Comparison of Norms from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third and Fourth Editions. Psychological Assessment, 17(4), 463-475.