WRAML-3 Overview Slides WRAML-3
Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning
Third Edition Overview
CLINICAL SERIES
Foundational Facts
Age Range
5 years to 90 years
Life-span coverage for diverse clinical settings.
Core Purpose
Evaluation of immediate memory, delayed recall, and new learning.
Standardized assessment of verbal and visual memory systems.
Includes measures of working memory (Attention/Concentration).
Offers flexible administration (Core vs. Expanded).
Structure of the WRAML-3
Verbal Memory
Assesses ability to recall meaningful stories and word lists.
Story Memory
Verbal Learning
Visual Memory
Evaluates recall of non-verbal patterns, pictures, and locations.
Design Memory
Picture Memory
Attention / Concentration
Measures working memory and immediate focus.
Finger Tapping
Number Letter
Advanced Metrics
Beyond immediate recall
Delayed Learning
Delayed Recall Index
Measures retention after a 15-20 minute delay. Critical for identifying rapid forgetting or consolidation issues.
Recognition Testing
Differentiates between retrieval failures and encoding failures (storage problems).
General Memory Index (GMI)
A global composite score representing the examinee's overall memory capability across both verbal and visual domains.
Equivalent to the FSIQ for memory function.
Interpreting the Results
Index Scores
Standard Scores (M=100, SD=15)
130+ Very Superior
110-119 High Average
90-109 Average
70-79 Borderline
Clinical Utility
ADHD & Concentration Profiles
Dementia & Aging Assessment
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Learning Disabilities
"Always consider the discrepancy between General Intelligence (IQ) and WRAML-3 Memory Indexes to identify specific deficits."
Memory Matrix Reference Memory Matrix
WRAML-3 Subtest & Index Comprehensive Guide
Reference Manual
The Core Framework
Verbal Memory
Capacity to encode and retrieve linguistic information (words, stories).
Visual Memory
Capacity to encode and retrieve non-verbal stimuli (designs, patterns, locations).
Attention/Concentration
Working memory capacity and active manipulation of information.
Subtest Inventory
Index / Subtest Description & Task Primary Ability Measured Verbal Memory Story Memory Examinee listens to short narrative stories and recalls as much detail as possible immediately. Meaningful context memory; rote auditory memory. Verbal Learning Multiple trials of a word list are presented to assess the learning curve over time. Rote verbal learning; susceptibility to interference. Visual Memory Design Memory Examinee views abstract designs and must draw or recognize them following a brief exposure. Visual spatial construction; non-verbal encoding. Picture Memory Examinee views a scene with various objects and later identifies what has changed or moved. Visual recognition; holistic scene processing. Attention / Concentration Finger Tapping A measure of motor speed and concentration over a set timeframe. Basic attention; motor persistence; processing speed. Number Letter Examinee repeats sequences of numbers and letters, often in a specific reordered sequence. Auditory working memory; sequential processing.
Advanced Learning & Recognition
Delayed Recall Metrics
Story Memory Delayed
Recall of story details after a 15-20 minute filled interval. Essential for checking long-term consolidation.
Design Memory Delayed
Re-drawing or recognizing designs after a delay to assess visual retention over time.
Recognition vs. Recall
Recognition tasks (e.g., "Was this word on the list?") help clinicians determine if memory failure is due to:
Encoding Deficit: Performance is poor on both recall and recognition.Retrieval Deficit: Performance is poor on recall but significantly better on recognition.
Technical Note: The GMI
The General Memory Index (GMI) is the standard composite (M=100, SD=15). It provides the most reliable estimate of overall memory function when subtest scores are relatively consistent.
Subtest Scores
Scaled
Mean=10, SD=3
Index Scores
Standard
Mean=100, SD=15
Recall Check Worksheet Recall Check
WRAML-3 Essentials Assessment
Name:
Date:
1
Index Alignment
Match the WRAML-3 Index on the left with its primary clinical function on the right.
A. Verbal Memory Index
B. Visual Memory Index
C. Attention/Concentration Index
D. Delayed Recall Index
Measures the ability to retain information over a 15-20 minute interval; distinguishes between encoding and forgetting.
Evaluates recall of non-verbal, spatial, and pattern-based information like designs or picture locations.
Assesses immediate working memory capacity and the active manipulation of auditory information.
Measures the capacity to encode and retrieve linguistic information, such as stories or word lists.
2
Subtest Spotlight
Identify which subtest (e.g., Story Memory, Design Memory, etc.) is being described below:
The examinee is shown a complex scene with various people and objects. After it is removed, they are shown a second scene and asked what changed or moved.
The examinee hears the same list of words across four consecutive trials to measure their learning curve.
The examinee listens to two distinct narrative passages and provides immediate, detailed recall.
3
Clinical Case Thought
Case Study: A 10-year-old student performs well on Story Memory (Immediate), but struggles significantly with Story Memory (Delayed). However, when provided with a "Recognition" task (multiple-choice questions about the story), their performance returns to the Average range.
Based on the difference between their Recall and Recognition scores, what does this suggest about the nature of their memory difficulty? (e.g., Encoding vs. Retrieval)
WRAML-3 Essentials Training © 2026 Clinical Assessment Series
Recall Check Key Answer Key
Recall Check: WRAML-3 Essentials
Instructor Resource
1. Index Alignment
A. Verbal Memory Index 4 Measures capacity for linguistic information (stories/word lists).
B. Visual Memory Index 2 Evaluates recall of non-verbal, spatial, and pattern-based info.
C. Attention/Concentration Index 3 Assesses immediate working memory and manipulation.
D. Delayed Recall Index 1 Distinguishes between encoding and forgetting over time.
2. Subtest Spotlight
Scenario 1 (Scene Changes):
Picture Memory
Scenario 2 (Word List Trials):
Verbal Learning
Scenario 3 (Narrative Passages):
Story Memory
3. Clinical Case Analysis
Key Diagnosis: Retrieval Deficit
The student is likely experiencing a retrieval deficit rather than an encoding deficit. Because their performance returned to the average range during the recognition task, it indicates that the information was successfully encoded (stored), but they had difficulty accessing it spontaneously during the free recall portion of the test.
Clinical Tip: Retrieval deficits are often associated with executive function issues or frontal lobe dysfunction.
Confidential - Instructor Use Only - WRAML-3 Reference Key
