This paper presents the main alterations that were made in the Brazilian versions of the tests WISC-III and WAIS-III. Empirical analyses were based on a sample of 801 children living in the urban area of Pelotas-RS and 788 adolescents and adults living the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte-MG and they resulted in changes in the original versions of the tests, with respect to: the content of some items of the verbal scale; the order of presentation of the items of the scales; the time limit and bonus concession; the criteria to start and discontinue the application; the establishment of norms for age. In spite of the fact that each study was restricted to one urban area of the country, their results reinforce the importance of adaptation and validation studies of instruments that have been developed in a context that is different from those in which they will be used.
WISC-III; WAIS-III; test adaptation; intelligence
