An Exploratory Comparative Study of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Fifth Edition (WISC-V) and the Adaptive Intelligence Diagnosticum 3 (AID 3) in a Sample of Mathematically Highly Gifted Children and Adolescents

Intelligence test batteries are a common tool in psychological assessment. Their results can have a large impact on an individual’s life, especially for children and adolescents. Despite this, uncertainty remains as to what extent these results are dependent on the test battery used. Two commonly used intelligence test batteries for children and adolescents in German speaking countries are the WISC-V and the AID 3. This study aimed to investigate the degree of comparability between the two test batteries in terms of their resulting scores, subtest content and test profiles in a mathematically gifted sample. A total of 36 children and adolescents (aged M = 12.89 years, SD = 0.58) completed all subtests of both test batteries. Results revealed that most IQ measures did not differ significantly between the two test batteries for this sample. The correlations of the subtests revealed a structure with four main nodes that was in line with previous factor analytical studies. The standard deviations of the τ-adjusted test scores within test profiles were not significantly different; however, significantly higher ranges were found in the AID 3. Results indicate higher IQ scores on the WISC-V, differential validity for factor structures, and methodological benefits of adaptive testing with the AID 3, particularly in gifted samples. Despite subtest overlaps, composite scores diverge and require individualized interpretation.