Low IQ samples and WAIS-R factor structure.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised subtests, as administered to 204 individuals with low IQs, were factor analyzed. Solutions proved comparable to structures extracted from the normative data and to solutions based on WAIS, WISC-R, and WISC data for persons with low IQs. Given the restricted IQ range and diminished variance involved, this study provides a particularly stringent test of WAIS-R factor structure. Subtest contributions to general intelligence, however, tend to be more similar among samples of persons with low IQs than between the present low IQ sample and the standardization sample. Clinicians working with intellectually low functioning clients can validly make factor-based test interpretations, but use of short-forms may be dangerous.