What is the procedure if a child aged 9-16 does not score perfectly on the first two items of the VP assessment?

The correct procedure when a child aged 9-16 does not score perfectly on the first two items of the Visual Puzzles (VP) assessment is to administer the preceding items in reverse order. This approach allows the examiner to determine if the child may have encountered difficulties with those initial items due to factors such as misunderstanding the task or experiencing temporary disengagement.

By revisiting the earlier items, the examiner can provide the child with a fresh opportunity to relaunch into the assessment with better understanding or increased focus. This can lead to a more accurate representation of the child's abilities. It also helps in identifying whether the initial scores were reflective of the child's true capabilities or influenced by extraneous variables at that moment.

In contrast, repeating the entire test would be inefficient and could lead to fatigue or frustration for the child. Skipping to the next section might overlook the chance to assess essential foundational skills that contribute to the overall performance. Taking a break before retrying could also potentially disrupt the flow of the assessment and may not address the root of the difficulties encountered with the initial items.