What advantage does the Wechsler test have over the Binet intelligence test?

The Wechsler test offers a significant advantage over the Binet intelligence test by providing both verbal and nonverbal scores. This dual approach allows for a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's cognitive abilities. The verbal score indicates performance on tasks that require language skills, such as vocabulary and comprehension. Meanwhile, the nonverbal score assesses skills that do not depend on language, such as pattern recognition and spatial reasoning.

This combination helps to identify specific strengths and weaknesses in cognitive functioning that may not be apparent through verbal assessments alone. For instance, an individual might excel in nonverbal tasks while struggling with verbal tasks, allowing for a nuanced understanding of their intelligence rather than a one-dimensional evaluation. Such differentiation is particularly useful for educational and therapeutic interventions, providing more targeted support based on the individual's unique profile of cognitive abilities.

The other answers do not capture this comprehensive assessment of intelligence. The Wechsler test is not fundamentally more challenging or shorter than the Binet test; rather, it aims to be more inclusive of diverse cognitive skills. Focusing solely on verbal skills fails to recognize the importance of nonverbal abilities in intelligence evaluation.