2. Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2
Introduction and updates
Alison Winter

3. Agenda Over view of working memory AWMA (2007)
Revision goals for AWMA 2
Test structure
Introduction to AWMA 2
Q&A
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

4. Working Memory
Working memory refers to a brain system that provides temporary storage and manipulation of the information necessary for such complex cognitive tasks as language comprehension, learning and reasoning.
(Baddeley, 1992)
Associated with reading (Gathercole & Pickering, 2000) and mathematic (Geary et al., 2004) ability
10-15% of all students have working memory deficits (Alloway et al., 2009)
Children with poor working memory make poor academic progress
Of 300 children with poor working memory (Gathercole & Alloway, 2008):
83% scored poorly on either reading or maths tests
the vast majority of these scored poorly in both areas
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

5. Automated Working Memory Assessment (2007)
Age range 4-22
Locally installed (Maximum of 2 computers)
Load on the examiners working memory.
Individual administration.
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

6. Revision goals for AWMA 2
Increase the age range
Increase user-friendliness
Enhance clinical utility
Improve psychometric properties.
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

7. Increase user-friendliness
Increase Age Range
- Norms increased to 79 yrs
Increase user-friendliness
- Fully automated.
- Number of items per block (6 to 4)
Design on test materials
Completely web-based (greater flexibility)
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

8. Enhanced clinical utility
Special group studies
Intellectually gifted
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Mathematics Disorder (Dyscalculia)
Reading Disorder (Dyslexia)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Borderline Intellectual Functioning.
Statistical linkage to measure of attainment.
Improved psychometric properties
Norms
Item bias
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

9. AWMA 2 - Structure Tests included in AWMA 2
Verbal STM
Digit Recall
Letter Recall
Verbal WM
Backwards Digit Recall
Processing Letter Recall
Visuo Spatial STM
Dot Matrix
Block Recall
Visuo Spatial WM
Mr X
Backwards Dot Matrix
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

10. Test Content New, Retained and Deleted
Retained test
Deleted Tests
New tests
Digit recall
Backward digit recall
Dot matrix
Block recall
Mr X
Word recall
Non-word recall
Listening recall
Letter recall - Verbal STM
Processing Letter Recall - Verbal WM
Backward dot matrix - Visuo-spatial WM
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

11. Overview AWMA 2 - Author - Tracy Packiam Alloway
- Publication Year: 2012
- Age Range: 5 to 79 years
- Administration
Individual - Screener: 5 to 7 mins; Short form: 10 to 15 mins; Long form: 30 mins
- Qualification Code: CL3
Cost: £ p/a
Overview AWMA 2
- Author - Tracy Packiam Alloway
- Publication Year: 2013
- Age Range: 5 to 79 years
- Administration (Individual and group)
- Screener: 5 to 7 mins
- Short form: 10 to 15 mins
- Long form: 30 mins
- Qualification Code: CL3
Cost: £ p/a
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

12. AWMA 2 - Structure There are three versions of AWMA-2:
AWMA-2 Screener: two working memory tests, suitable for screening WM difficulties.
AWMA-2 Short Form: four tests; recommended to screen individuals who are suspected to have memory difficulties, but the specific area of
their difficulties is not known
AWMA-2 Long Form: all eight tests; recommended for confirmation of significant working memory problems
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

13. Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

14. Q&A
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

15. Thank you