Brief Description

The test is based on the assumption that reading ability remains relatively unaffected by cognitive disorders and can be used as an indicator of premorbid intellectual level. Comparable to the National Adult Reading Test (NART), it contains Greek words presented without orthographic accent marks. The examinee is asked to read the words with the correct accentuation, relying on pre-existing vocabulary knowledge. Performance is linked to estimates of verbal IQ.

Purpose

The test aims to provide a rapid estimate of adults’ premorbid intellectual level, particularly in cases where there are indications of cognitive decline, such as in dementia or brain injury.

Scoring Method

Scoring is done by recording the number of words correctly accented by the examinee. The result is matched to estimates from the verbal IQ subscale.

Validity

The test shows a high correlation with the vocabulary subscale of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (r = 0.71) and with the Progressive Matrices (r = 0.36). It also demonstrates satisfactory correlation with the balanced mean of general intelligence domains (r = 0.61). Differences in correlations with vocabulary and matrices support the specificity of the test.

Reliability

The internal consistency of the test is high, with Cronbach’s α = 0.88, indicating stability and coherence in examinees’ responses.

Data Analysis and Use

Analysis involves comparing the examinee’s score with normative data and using it as an indicator of premorbid intellectual level. The results can contribute to the differential diagnosis of cognitive disorders and to the planning of interventions or treatments.

References

Giaglis, G., & Kosmidou, M. (2007). Construction of a test for the assessment of premorbid intellectual level. Presentation at the 3rd Conference of the Division of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology of the Hellenic Psychological Society, Thessaloniki.
Del Ser, T., Gonzalez-Montalvo, J.-I., Martínez-Espinosa, S., Delgado-Villapalos, C., & Bermejo, F. (1997). Estimation of premorbid intelligence in Spanish people with the Word Accentuation Test and its application to the diagnosis of dementia. Brain and Cognition, 33, 343–356.
Nelson, H. E., & O’Connell, A. (1978). Dementia: The estimation of pre-morbid intelligence levels using the new adult reading test. Cortex, 14, 234–244.