What is the starting item for children ages 12-16 in the VC assessment?

In the Vocabulary subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fifth Edition (WISC-V), the starting item for children between the ages of 12 and 16 is Item 9. This subtest is designed to assess a child's verbal knowledge and understanding through a series of word definitions. The rationale for beginning with Item 9 for this age group is based on normative data and the developmental expectations of vocabulary skills.

Starting at this specific item level allows for an appropriate challenge that aligns with the cognitive abilities typically seen in adolescents, ensuring that the assessment is neither too easy nor excessively difficult. Catching the participant at the right baseline ensures more accurate measurement of their verbal comprehension abilities.