TEST-RETEST STABILITY OF THE SATZ-MOGEL WAIS-R SHORT-FORM IN A SAMPLE OF NORMAL PERSONS 75 TO 87 YEARS OF AGE

The test-retest stability of the Satz-Mogel short form was evaluated in a sample of 61 persons 75 years and older. Means for age, education, and retest interval were 78.93 years (SD = 3.46), 9.74 years (SD = 1.91), and 64.92 days (SD = 26.84), respectively. Test-retest coefficients were .87, .70, and .89 for the Verbal, Performance, and Full Scales, respectively. Subtest stability ranged from .28 to .83. While the stability of the Verbal and Full Scales was adequate, it was unacceptable for the Performance Scale. Percent agreement for gain or loss between the complete WAIS-R and the Satz-Mogel short form was 80.0% for the Verbal Scale, 55.7% for the Performance Scale, and 67.2% for the Full Scale. The Satz-Mogel procedure reduces the stability of the Performance Scale to an unacceptable level in normal elderly persons.