PGI Memory Scale

INTRODUCTION
The PGI Memory Scale (PGIMS) is a psychological test developed by the Post Graduate
Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, India, by Dwarka
Prasad and N.N. Wig primarily designed to assess memory functions in clinical settings.
It was constructed and standardized in the year 1977.

DIMENSIONS
It contains 10 subsets –
 Remote memory
 Recent memory
 Mental balance
 Attention concentration
 Delayed recall
 Immediate recall
 Retention for similar pairs
 Retention for dissimilar pairs
 Visual retention
 Recognition

RELIABILITY, VALIDITY and NORMS

Reliability of the PGI Memory Scale
The test was re-administered on 40 subjects after an interval of one week. The test-retest
reliability ranged between 0.70-0.84 for organic psychotic groups, 0.48-0.84 for neurotic-
normal group. Split half reliability was found to be 0.91-0.83 respectively.
Internal Consistency- Internal consistency measures how well the items within a test are
correlated and collectively assess the same construct. For PGIMS, this refers to whether the
various items within a subtest measure the same aspect of memory reliably. The PGI Memory
Scale has been shown to have good internal consistency, with items within each subtest being
designed to measure specific aspects of memory (e.g., delayed recall, verbal memory,
recognition).
Test-Retest Reliability- Test-retest reliability assesses the stability of test scores over time. In
the case of the PGIMS, this means checking if individuals obtain similar scores when they
take the test at different points in time under similar conditions. Studies indicate that the
PGIMS has satisfactory test-retest reliability, showing stability in scores over time when
administered to the same subjects under similar conditions.
If a participant scores 40 on the PGIMS in the first testing session, and two weeks later scores
39 or 41, this suggests good test-retest reliability.
Inter-Rater Reliability- Inter-rater reliability examines the extent to which different raters or
evaluators give consistent scores when administering or scoring the same test. It can involve
subjective scoring, such as recalling a story or description. This measure is high for the
PGIMS i.e. different evaluators yield consistent and similar results when scoring the test.
Example: If Rater A and Rater B independently score a participant’s recall of a story and
both give it a score of 7 out of 10, this indicates good inter-rater reliability. However, if Rater
A scores it a 7 and Rater B scores it a 3, there would be a question about the clarity of the
scoring guidelines or training consistency among raters.
Validity of the PGI Memory Scale
The scale was validated against 4 hypotheses.
Construct Validity- Construct validity in PGIMS is good in evaluating how well the test
measures the theoretical construct it aims to assess, in this case different types of memory
functions (e.g., recent memory, remote memory, mental balance, attention-concentration).
High construct validity is achieved if these subtests effectively differentiate between
individuals with strong and weak recent memory abilities. The scale’s items are theoretically
and empirically connected to memory functions, establishing that PGIMS genuinely
measures the intended construct of memory.
Criterion Validity- Criterion validity examines whether the PGIMS correlates well with other
established measures of memory. The PGIMS has been compared with other memory scales
to establish its criterion validity. It has demonstrated a reasonable correlation with other
standardized memory assessment tools, suggesting that it accurately assesses memory
functions. It was found to have a correlation of 0.71 with Boston Memory Scale and 0.85
with the Wechler Memory Scale.
Face Validity- Face validity refers to the extent to which the test items appear to measure
memory, as judged by non-experts. It is more about appearance than statistical validity. In the
PGIMS, face validity is considered by ensuring that each subtest clearly reflects memory
functions. For instance, tasks like recalling words, numbers, or a short story are intuitive
indicators of memory.
Example- A subtest that requires a participant to recall a list of objects or words right after
seeing them appears directly related to memory, thus giving the test high face validity. If
someone with no psychology background were to look at this item, they would likely
recognize it as a memory test, reinforcing its face validity.
Content Validity- Content validity assesses whether the test items cover all relevant aspects of
the memory construct comprehensively and representatively. The PGIMS includes a
comprehensive range of memory-related tasks (e.g., recalling words, numbers, and images),
making it well-suited to measure various memory aspects, such as immediate recall and
delayed recall.
PGIMS includes a mix of subtests (like story recall for verbal memory, digit span for working
memory, and recognition tasks for visual memory), ensuring it captures multiple facets of
memory. This comprehensive approach gives it strong content validity.
Norms of the PGI Memory Scale
The PGI Memory Scale has been normed on a population of Indian adults, allowing for
culturally relevant baseline scores. Normative data is available for various age groups, and
some adjustments in scores are provided based on demographic factors, which is crucial
given the variability in memory performance across age, education level, and other socio-
cultural factors.
The normative data helps clinicians interpret an individual's performance by comparing it to
typical scores within a similar demographic, aiding in identifying significant memory
impairments or deviations from the expected range.

No. of statements/items
 Remote Memory - 3 items
 Recent Memory - 3 items
 Mental Balance - 20 items
 Attention and Concentration - 10 items
 Delayed Recall - 1 item
 Immediate Recall - 5 items
 Verbal Retention for Similar Pairs - 10 items
 Verbal Retention for Dissimilar Pairs - 10 items
 Visual Retention - 6 items
 Recognition - 10 items
Total number of items = 78
The PGI Memory Scale has a total of 78 items across its 10 subtests.

SCORING
Subtest 1 & 2 – one score for each correct response. Maximum total scores will be 7 & 5,
respectively.
Subtest 3 Alphabet and counting Backward- 3 scores if all correct within 15 seconds, 2 if take
longer than 15 seconds, 1 if there is one mistake or omission, separately for alphabet and
backward counting. Counting backward by 3’s – 3 scores if all correct within 30 seconds, 2 if
take longer than 30 seconds, 1 if there is one mistake or omission.
Subtest 4- summation of digits forward and backward is the score. (Max. score = 12)
Subtest 5- one score for each word correctly recalled (total 10).
Subtest 6- one score for each clause correctly reproduced (maximum score 12).
Subtest 7- one score for each correct reproduction of the associated word of the pair (total=5).
Subtest 8- one score for each for the correctly reproduced pair, separately for each trial.
Summation of scores on three trials is the score (total 15).
Subtest 9- one score for each type of geometrical figure correctly reproduced in sequence and
number. Thus card 1 to 3, 2 scores each, card 4, 3 scores and card 5, 4 scores (total 13).
Subtest 10- each object correctly recognized and named is to be given a score of one. Number
of wrong identified objects are to be deducted from the earned score (total 10)
Maximum score = 115

INTERPRETATION

S.No Percentile range Level of Memory

1. P80 – P100 Excellent
2. P60 – P80 Above Average
3. P40 – P60 Average/Moderate
4. P20 – P40 Below level
5. P0 – P20 Low level

Sub-tests I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X Grand

total
PR
P80 – P100 8 - 6-9 23-28 9-10 9-12 5 13-15 9-13 10 72+
P60 – P80 7 - 5 16-22 8 7-8 4 10-12 7-8 9 64-71
P40 – P60 6 5 3-4 10-15 7 7 4 8-9 5-6 8 57-63
P20 – P40 5 4 2 6-9 6 6 3 5-7 4 7 49-56
P0 – P20 0-4 0-3 1 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-2 1-4 1-3 1-6 Below
48

Type of assessment based on knowledge, skills and abilities

In research psychology, assessments based on knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are
essential for evaluating an individual's competencies and understanding in various domains.
Knowledge-Based Assessments
Written tests/exams, self-report surveys, questionnaires, interviews and case study analysis.
Example - Exams designed to measure a psychologist’s or counsellor’s understanding of
diagnostic criteria like DSM-5 Knowledge Test.
Skills-Based Assessments
Practical exercises, simulation-based assessment, portfolios and role play and observational
assessment.
Example - Practitioners engage in role-playing exercises where they demonstrate skills such
as active listening, empathy, and reflection, often assessed through peer or supervisor
feedback.
Ability-Based Assessments
Aptitude Tests (assess abilities like critical thinking, logical reasoning, and quantitative
skills)
Performance-Based Assessments (Situational tasks where abilities to perform under time
constraints)
Psychometric Tests (Used to assess cognitive abilities like memory, attention, and
perception)
Example –
Tests like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) , Raven's Progressive
Matrices assess cognitive abilities, including reasoning, working memory, and pattern
recognition.