Fine tuning of the digit symbol paired associate recall test for practitioner purposes in clinical and research settings.

Guidelines are presented to facilitate the use of the WAIS Digit Symbol measure of paired associate recall as a neuropsychological instrument. Currently three formal variants of the test exist with accompanying normative data (the original WAIS-R-NI form; a WAIS-R Short Form; a longer WAIS-III form), providing a potential source of confusion which may limit its application. To circumvent this, the present article critically evaluates: (i) variations in test forms and their advantages; (ii) available norms in terms of age and education, with pointers for more differentiated guidelines in this regard; and (iii) the desirability of incorporating a delayed recall variant of the test. Finally, a synopsis of data is presented that supports the screening potential of Digit Symbol paired associate recall in cases of mild neurocognitive dysfunction. For the purposes of this paper, the term WAIS is used with broad reference to all variations of the original Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (1955) upon which they were based, including the WAIS-R (1981) and WAIS-III (1997) updated editions, and the South African WAIS (1969). The terms South African WAIS (South African Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), WAIS-R (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Revised), and WAIS-III (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III), refer to these specific versions of the test.