Which subtests contribute to the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI)?

The Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) is a crucial component of the WISC-V that measures a child’s verbal reasoning and understanding abilities. It encompasses subtests that require language-based skills, including comprehension and expression. The subtests that specifically contribute to the VCI are Similarities and Vocabulary.

Similarities assesses a child's ability to identify the commonalities between different concepts or objects, reflecting their verbal reasoning capabilities. Vocabulary measures a child's word knowledge and their ability to define words, which is essential for understanding verbal communication and language.

In contrast, the other options consist of subtests that do not primarily focus on verbal comprehension. For example, Digit Span and Coding primarily assess working memory and processing speed, while Symbol Search and Visual Puzzles are more related to visual-spatial processing rather than verbal skills. Block Design and Digit Span also do not relate directly to verbal comprehension but rather assess visual-spatial skills and memory. Thus, the correct choice highlights the subtests that directly evaluate verbal intelligence, which is central to understanding the Verbal Comprehension Index.