Danish intelligence test may underestimate the abilities of bilingual young people

Article excerpt

Denmark's most widely used intelligence test, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, may systematically underestimate the cognitive abilities of bilingual young people, according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. The WAIS is routinely administered in clinical, educational, forensic, and social service settings across the country. Even bilingual individuals who speak fluent Danish and demonstrate strong language competency appear to score lower than their actual abilities warrant, suggesting the assessment tool produces a distorted picture of this population's intelligence.