The Differential Ability Scales-Second Edition (GCA)

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The Differential Ability Scales-Second Edition (DAS-II) is an intelligence measure given to clients individually. It is meant to test the cognitive abilities of children and adolescents aging from 2 years 6 months old to 17 years 11 months old. While being comprehensive and flexible, the test provides a General Conceptual Ability (GCA) score based on the cognitive abilities of children that are important to the learning processes across a broad range of ages and development levels (Elliott, 2007). The GCA is derived from two different forms that measure abilities based on how old the client is. The Early Years Record Form has four subtests and the School Years Form has six subtests that contribute to the GCA. The measure also consists of other …show more content…

The stratification data was based on the October 2002 U.S. Bureau of the Census. 3,480 children from ages 2:6-17:11 were identified by independent examiners and trained recruiters as having met criteria for the standardization sample. The demographics of the standardization sample were similar compared to the U.S. population in 2002 with approximately 61% White participants, 17% Hispanic, 15% African American, 5% Asian, and 2% other. Additionally, the sample considered geographic region with 24% of the sample being from the West, 35% from the South, 18% from the Northeast, and 23% from the Midwest. Parent education level was reported with 4% of the sample at 8th grade or lower, 9% of parents in the 9-11th grades, 26% having complete high school, 33% completed some form of college, and 28% of the samples parents having completed 16th and above, (Elliott, …show more content…

He indicates that overall, the DAS-II has psychometric properties that are quite stellar and well-documented including that several types of validity were assessed and found to be adequate. Davis states that examiners who originally used the DAS for the testing of young children should be very pleased with the current revision. The test is child-friendly, psychometrically sound, and of high utility. Evidence that was presented in the technical manual has shown that the instrument is both reliable and valid across a variety of samples. The test manual is extremely comprehensive regarding administration and scoring. Additionally, the interpretive guidelines in the manual are a significant strength of the

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