Factor structure of the WISC-V in four standardization age groups: Exploratory and hierarchical factor analyses with the 16 primary and secondary subtests

This study examined the factor structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth Edition (WISC-V) with four standardization sample age groups (6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-16 years) using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multiple factor extraction criteria, and hierarchical EFA not included in the WISC-V Technical and Interpretation Manual. Factor extraction criteria suggested that one to four factors might be sufficient despite the publisher-promoted, five-factor solution. Forced extraction of five factors resulted in only one WISC-V subtest obtaining a salient pattern coefficient on the fifth factor in all four groups, rendering it inadequate. Evidence did not support the publisher's desire to split Perceptual Reasoning into separate Visual Spatial and Fluid Reasoning dimensions. Results indicated that most WISC-V subtests were properly associated with the four theoretically oriented first-order factors resembling the WISC-IV, the g factor accounted for large portions of total and common variance, and the four first-order group factors accounted for small portions of total and common variance. Results were consistent with EFA of the WISC-V total standardization sample.