Based on the WISC-V scores provided (VCI 90, WMI 70, PSI 85), which cognitive skill is most likely below typical expectations?

• A. Verbal Comprehension Index
• B. Visual Spatial Processing
• C. Processing Speed
• D. Attending to Auditory Information

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that a profile with a normal Verbal Comprehension score, a clearly low Working Memory score, and a modestly below-average Processing Speed points to a weakness in holding and manipulating information, especially when it comes from listening. The Working Memory Index (70) is far below the other scores, and many working-memory tasks rely on attending to and temporarily storing auditory information while you perform mental operations. So, attending to auditory information best fits the pattern you’re seeing: the individual’s ability to attend to and manipulate verbal input in real time is more compromised than their vocabulary knowledge or their basic processing speed. The other domains don’t show the same pronounced mismatch—Verbal Comprehension is average, and Processing Speed is only mildly below average—so they don’t account for the strongest deficit here.