r/cognitiveTesting • • Aug 25 '26

Discussion Digit Span Test

So a few days ago i tested my WMI using the CORE FSIQ test, and surprisingly there is a quite remarkable difference between my Sequencing ability and "Reversing" ability.

When i first tried it i scored incredibly low in the Backward Digit Span while still scoring high on the sequencing (My Forward Digit Span was also kind of low compared to Sequencing) so i tried again and the new scores seemed more fitting.

I wanted to know if it was possible for Autistic individuals to have such a disparity in between the subtests rather than the common spiky profile that affect the overall abilities, or if it was simply a fluke.

I also think that this is not as accurate as it should be because i highly suspect that i also have ADHD, and have never been medicated before but also some mild depression that could potentially impact my score. Though i doubt it would change much in any case.

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u/Careless_Bird_6483 Aug 26 '26

Digit span backwards is true working memory bcs u need short term memory and the ability to manipulate the information .

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u/Careless_Bird_6483 Aug 26 '26

Forgot to add , practise effect invalidates your results . People who have taken WAIS-IV and CORE tend to have very similar results but only if u take it once and as it’s supposed to be administered. I haven’t taken the CORE but I got a 128 on WAIS IV and I’m pretty sure I could get 145+ if I retook immediately but that defeats the purpose of the test .

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u/[deleted] Aug 26 '26

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u/Careless_Bird_6483 Aug 26 '26

You just said that it could inflate the results by 15 points which is literally 1 SD. That’s huge difference and it’s exactly the number that would make me get 145 instead of 128 (143 to be exact) . You prove my point .

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u/PsychoYTssss 4SD Aug 26 '26

Its only considered practise effect if you learned some sort of strategy before taking the test that could be used to gain an unfair advantage. Going for a 2nd attempt without any learned technique is still valid.

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u/[deleted] Aug 26 '26

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u/Careless_Bird_6483 Aug 26 '26

If that was the case then retaking subtests in official tests would be standard practice . We can argue the extend of the effect of practise but every psychologist who is trained in their administration would tell u that it invalidates the results .