MISIC

“Intelligence is the aggregate or global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think
rationally and to deal effectively with the environment”

MALINS INTELLIGENCE SCALE FOR INDIAN CHILDREN (MISIC)

 
It has been adapted from the American test WISC. The Indian Scale has been constructed
by Dr. Arthur J. Malin of Nagpur. During adaptation an almost total revision had to be made
of the test, especially of the culturally biased verbal items.
Languages available : English, Hindi , Marathi

Ages : 6 years to 15 years 11 months

Time taken to administer : 2-2.5 hours

The test is divided into two groups, Verbal and Performance. Verbal Scale consists of 6
subtests and Performance Scale consists of 5 subtests.

Subsets in Verbal Tests

1. Information
2. General Comprehension
3. Arithmetic
4. Analogies & Similarities
5. Vocabulary
6. Digit Spa

Subsets in Performance test

1 Picture Completion
2 Block Design
3 Object Assembly
4 Coding
5 Mazes

VERBAL TESTS
 
1. Information Test: 
The test consists of questions about factual knowledge of persons, places, and common
phenomena. It has total of 30 questions. Questions 1-5 are used for children below 8 years old
or suspected mental defects. Each item is scored 1 or 0. The subject above 8 years is given
credits for question 1-5 directly, if the subject passes items 6,7 & 8. Discontinue the test after
5 consecutive failures.
          Examples- How many ears you have?

2. General Comprehension Test: 

The test consists of questions about certain practices and behavior under certain situations. It
measures conventional knowledge and knowledge of social appropriateness. It has total 14
questions. The test is discontinued after 3 consecutive failures. Each item is scored from 0-2.
Items 1-5 are scored 2 points if the subject takes personal responsibility; and 1 point if the
subjects knows what is to be done, but the responsibility is shirked away. For items 6-14, two
points are given when the subject gives 2 good reasons and 1 point when the subject gives
one reason.
Example- What should you do if you cut your finger?

3. Arithmetic Test:
  The test consists of questions based on a simple mathematical calculation which are solved
mentally. Problems 1-3 are for the subjects below 8 years or suspected mental defectives.
Discontinue after 3 consecutive failures.
Each item is scored 1 or 0. Credit is given to the subject for the first 3 items if the subject
above 8 years solves the item 4 and 5 correctly.
Example- if I break this pencil in half, how many pieces there will be?

4. Analogy & Similarity test:

Analogy: The test consists of 4 incomplete sentences based on analogies that the subject has
to complete. The test is for subjects below 8 years old. Each correct analogy is given a score
of 2.
Example- Lemon is sour, but sugar is……….
Similarity- The test consists of questions where the subject has to find the similarity between
the two things. It measures verbal concept formation. This test is for subjects above 8 years.
Discontinue the test after 3 consecutive failures or return to the analogy. Each item is scored
from 0-2, depending on the answer. If the subject answers the 3 items correctly in similarity,
the subject is given the credit for 4 analogies.
Example- in what way are a mango and an orange alike?

5. Vocabulary Test:
The test consists of questions that measure the subject’s general intelligence. It reflects the
subject’s breadth of experience and ideas developed over the years. The test has 40 items.
Discontinue the test after 5 consecutive failures. Each item is scored from 0 to 2. Except item
1-6 which are scored as 0 or 2. Subject can start directly from 10th item. The subject is
credited 2 points directly for the previous 9 items if he/she gives 2 point definition for 10th–
14th items.
Example- cycle, shoe, etc.

6. Digit Span Test:

 In this test the subject is told a sequence of numbers verbally. The subject is supposed to
repeat the numbers in the same order. The test is divided into 2 types.
They are:
• Digit Span Forward- the digits are repeated as they are called out.
• Digit Span Backward- the digits are repeated in the reverse order.
The score of the test is the highest number of digits repeated without error, both forward and
backward digits together.

PERFORMANCE TESTS
1. Picture Completion Test: 
The test consists of twenty pictures in which some part of each picture is missing. The subject
is supposed to tell which part of the picture is missing. The subject gets fifteen seconds to
examine each picture. The test is discontinued after four failures.
Scoring- One point is given for each correct response except for last five pictures where an
extra bonus score is credited if at least three pictures of the last five are correct.

2. Block Design Test:

 The test consists of 7 colored blocks and a booklet with pictures of the block arranged
according to specific geometric designs. The subject has to arrange the blocks according to
the design shown in the picture. The task requires concept formation.
Scoring- the subject is given four points plus bonus according to the table for design 1 to 7.
No points are given for the incomplete design.

3. Object Assembly:
This test consists of puzzles that the subject has to rearrange in meaningful design. It requires
visual-motor co-ordination, plan fullness and concept formation. The test has four puzzles.
They are manikin, horse, face and auto.
Scoring-
Manikin: For perfect performance, 4 points are rewarded or bonus. 3 points if legs are
interchanged or inverted. 2 points if legs or arms are omitted.1 point if the only trunk is
correct.
Horse: Perfect performance is rewarded 6 points or bonus 5 points if the only stomach is
inverted 4 points if the midpiece is omitted or legs interchanged. 3 points if the midpiece is
inverted and legs interchanged. 2 points if midpiece or leg is omitted.1 point is given for
every two pieces joined correctly.
Face: Perfect performance is awarded 6 points or bonus. 5 points if eyes are inverted or
hairpieces omitted. 4 points if mouth and chin omitted. 3 points if large half (2 pieces) are
omitted. 1 point if large half and hair are omitted. ½ point is given for each proper joint
separate or joined to the whole.
Auto: Perfect performance is given 6 points or a bonus.  5 points if the door is inverted or
reversed. 4 points for omitting pieces 4 & 5 or omitting piece 7.
3 points for omitting 7 and inverting or reversing piece 4, also omitting pieces 4, 5, & 7. One
point is given for each proper joint.
This subtest measures the ability to analyze and synthesize spatial information, non-verbal
concept formation, visual-motor coordination, perceptual speed, capacity for sustained effort
and perseverance. Performance on this subtest is influenced by impulsivity, ability to work
under pressure and divergent thinking. A high score (strength) on this test indicates that the
client possesses good perceptual and conceptual ability, ability to analyze and synthesize
visuo-spatial information, ability to concentrate, ability for sustained efforts. A low score
(weakness) on this test indicates ability has poor concentration, visuo-motor deficit, low
visuo-spatial and perceptual organization, impulsivity, compulsive trend (formation of mental
set), possibility color-blindness. It can also be a marker of organic brain damage.

4. Coding :

The test consists of certain symbols that are paired with numbers or shapes. The subject has
to learn them and pair with the appropriate corresponding numbers. Concentration and speed
of work are important factors in this test. The test has two parts, Coding A & Coding B.
Coding A: this part is for subjects under 8 years or suspected mental defects. The test should
be completed in 120 seconds. The score is the number of designs completed in that time.
(Excluding samples) If the subject completes the test before time bonus point is given.
Coding B: this part is for subjects above 8 years. This section has to be completed in 120
seconds. 1 point is given for each correct response.

5. Mazes:
 The test requires the subject to trace through the maze and reach the end point. The test has 5
mazes which have to be completed in the given time limit.
Scoring- maze A, B, C are given 2 points if solved without error. 1 point if completed with 2
errors. Mazes 1-5 are given 3 point without error, 2 points if one error is committed, 1 point if
two errors committed and 0 points when the subject passes the maximum allowed error.
Interpretation
Looks at planning, sequence, visual material, perceptual organization, problem solving,
visuomotor coordination, speed and foresight. Influenced by previous exposure to maze.
High score – means good in planning, visual concentration, perceptual and motor
coordination, foresight, flexibility in visual organization, ability to delay impulsive actions.
Low score – means impulsivity, poor planning, problem solving, and visuomotor

Scoring
 
For scoring the test, the raw score of all the subtests are totalled and converted into the test
quotients (TQs) by means of the tee table in the manual. After converting into TQs, the
average of each group has to be added and found out separately.
To obtain full-scale IQ both the Verbal & Performance test totals are added and then divided
for the average

APPLICATION OF MISIC
1. Used as a tool in the educational setting as well as clinical setting.
2. Helps teachers and parents in guiding students for educational and vocational planning.
3. Used to identify talented and gifted students, and also mentally challenged students.
6. Used in identifying students cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
7. Used in tracking intellectual development
8. used in educational & psychological research