Expert: Ettina - 10/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: My daughter was given the RIAS test and I did not agree with the score that the psychologist came up with. I was told that she would not answer questions and was not comfortable with her own decisions. Two months later, I had her tested again, and the score was a difference of 40 points! When I questioned my child, she was more comfortable with the second tester. How reliable are these scores?

ANSWER: Generally, unless there's evidence of an actual change in ability (eg brain injury, subjective impression that the person's changed, whatever), the higher IQ score is felt to be more accurate, since it's a lot easier to perform below your ability than above it.

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QUESTION: I was just told that the score is considered ineligible because it was the same test. Why would that be if it was two months later?

Answer
If the same test is done twice in a short time period, there is a tendency for scores to increase based on learning. I'm not sure if two months falls within that window of time or not. However, the increase is typically about 10-15 points, not 40 points, so at least part of that increase probably represents better testing of her ability.
One thing you could do is have her retested after a longer time interval, such as 6 months from now. That would certainly be long enough to limit any learning effects.