College student performance on the general ability measure for adults and the wechsler intelligence scale for adults-third edition

Abstract

This study examined the concurrent validity of the General Ability Measure for Adults (GAMA1; Naglieri & Bardos, 1997) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III; Wechsler, 1997). Sixty college students were administered both instruments in counterbalanced order. A comparison of the mean scores on the GAMA and WAIS-III indicated that the sample obtained similar GAMA and WAIS-III PIQ scores. In contrast, the sample's mean GAMA IQ score was significantly lower than the sample's mean FSIQ and VIQ scores. Although the GAMA IQ score was positively correlated with all WAIS-III IQ and Index scores, this new instrument was more clearly associated with visual-spatial reasoning, as defined by the WAIS-III PIQ. The GAMA's accuracy in predicting performance on the WAIS-III FSIQ and PIQ also was examined, with the GAMA underestimating WAIS-III FSIQ and PIQ scores for participants falling within the Superior and Very Superior range of intellectual functioning. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.