Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC)

Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence, Apr 06, 2001

The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC) is an intelligence and achievement test for children ages 2-1/2 to 12-1/2. It consists of 16 subtests, not all of which are used for every age group. A distinctive feature of the KABC is that it defines intelligence as problem-solving ability rather than knowledge of facts, which it considers achievement. This distinction is evident in the test's division into two parts--intelligence and achievement--which are scored both separately and together. The Mental Processing (or intelligence) portion of the test consists of two series of subtests. Sequential Processing primarily assesses short-term memory and includes number recall, repetition of a sequence ("work order"), and repetition of hand movements. Simultaneous Processing evaluates pattern detection and nonverbal reasoning. Its subtests include completing a drawing ("gestalt closure"); spatial memory (reproducing layout of objects on a grid); placing a series of photos in correct chronological order; and, for younger children, face recognition and "magic window" (identifying a picture through a slit). The KABC Achievement subtests include naming famous people and places from photos; an arithmetic test; riddles; reading letters and single words; acting out a printed command to demonstrate reading comprehension; and (for younger children) naming objects from pictures. Test scores may be converted to competitive rankings (percentiles and age or grade equivalents). The KABC is often used to assess learning disabilities and mental retardation , but it can also aid in identifying giftedness .

KABC's strong emphasis on memory and lesser attention to verbal expression are intended to offset cultural disparities between black and white children. While whites score an average of 15 points higher than blacks on most intelligence tests, the differences on the KABC for children under 8 amount to less than 2 points on Sequential Processing, 6 on Simultaneous Processing, and 8 on the Achievement section. At later ages, these point differences are 7, 12, and 12 points, respectively. In addition, the test may be given to non-native speakers in their first language and to the hearing impaired using American Sign Language .

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