Improving examiner reliability on the visual memory span subtest of the wechsler memory scale-revised

Standard administration and scoring of the Visual Memory Span (VMS) subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised is problematic because accuracy depends upon the experience and concentration abilities of the examiner. The standard administration method was contrasted with a new method that enables the examiner to rely on cue cards. Comparisons showed the cue-card method to be superior in ease of administration and scoring accuracy to the standard method. Results suggest that cue cards help both novices and veterans obtain more accurate VMS assessments; their use also significantly improves interexaminer reliability.