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Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement, 3rd edition

Authors: Richard W. Woodcock, Kevin S. McGrew, Nancy Mather (2001, 2007)
Publisher Riverside Publishing Company

Description and Purpose of the Test

The Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement (WJ III) is a testing instrument
used to assess students with disabilities. The Woodcock Johnson is also an instrument
used to identify eligibility of students for special education services. The Woodcock
Johnson is a testing instrument that can measure a students academic strengths and
weaknesses.
The Woodcock Johnson includes 22 tests. The tests include areas in reading,
writing, math, knowledge, and cognitive abilities. The tests are then broken into
clusters. The clusters include Oral Expression, Listening Comprehension, Written
Expression, Basic Reading Skills, Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Calculation
Skills, and Math Reasoning. The tests cover areas of cognitive processes. (the clusters
and what they measure are located at the end of this handout). Information that is
gathered from the Woodcock Johnson can be used in planning interventions for the
student or supports the student may need in certain academic areas.

Use of Information from the Woodcock Johnson in Student Planning

The Woodcock Johnson measures the strengths and weaknesses of students.
This information is very useful in setting appropriate objectives for students, instruction,
supports, and in planning interventions for students.
Target Population
The target population of the Woodcock Johnson is a broad range. The range
begins at the age of 2 to 90+ years. The grade level spans from kindergarten to
graduate school.
Summary of Statistics
Validity The WJ III validity includes two key aspects. These aspects include, the
Woodcock Johnson how closely its norming sample represents the population to which
the test results will be compared and how carefully the data is gathered from the
sample. According to Riverside Publishing, the Woodcock Johnsons validity is as
follows the samples used were to represent ages 24 months to 90 plus years. The
normative data was collected by 8,800 subjects in more than 100 diverse communities
in the United States. The sampling was controlled for 10 specific community and
individual variables with 13 socio-economic status variables. The WJ III continues to
use year norms at 10 points in each grade. It also provides grade-based norms for
kindergarten through high school, 2 year and 4 year college, plus graduate school.
The WJ III NU is a highly accurate and valid diagnostic system because the two
batteries were co-normed and based on a single sample. When tests are co-normed,

examiners obtain actual discrepancies and avoid errors typically associated with
estimated discrepancies. Riverside Publisihing, WJ III.
Reliability -- Most of the WJ III NU tests show strong reliabilities of .80 or higher; several
are .90 or higher.
Test Taking Conditions Required
The test consists of an A and B form. The test is also broken into two batteries.
There is a Standard Battery and an Extended Battery. The materials that are needed
when using the WJ III include the testing booklet, test forms A or B, depending on the
test that is given. There is an administrators booklet and a students booklet to write in.
The proctor may need a stopwatch, depending on what tests they are using. There are
only a few sections in the test that are timed. One of the tests that are timed, include the
Reading Fluency test.
The test is individually administered. Most test in the Woodcock Johnson take
approximately 5 minutes individually but may vary. If all 11 Achievement tests were
given at one time, it would approximately take 55-56minutes. For example, the Reading
Fluency test is a 3 minute timed test. Students have 3 minutes to read individual
sentences and determine if the meaning of the statement is true. If the statement is true
the student circles y for yes. If it is not true the student circles n for no.
The ideal testing environment is one where the proctor and student can test
uninterrupted. The WJ III book is a flip book where the proctor sits on one side and
reads the prompts to the student while the student is on the other side of the book,
answering the testing questions.

Overall Review of the Test

The Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement is widely used among educators.
The tests cover many different clusters, is easy to administer, and provides examiners
with the opportunity to look at discrepancies in the data. For example, students can be
given the Achievement Test and the Cognitive Test for discrepancies. Examiners can
chose which batteries to use to assess students and determine a students strengths
and weaknesses and eligibility for Special Education services.

References
Riverside - Woodcock-Johnson III NU Details. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from
http://www.riversidepublishing.com/products/wjIIIComplete/details.htm

Wendling, B. J., Schrank, F. A., & Schmitt, A. J. (2007). Educational Interventions

Related to the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (Assessment Service
Bulletin No. 8). Rolling Meadows, IL: Riverside Publishing.