Normed for ages 2:6 to 7:11 (Usual age range is 3:6 to 5:11; Extended Age range is 6:0 to 6:5, and the Out of level age ranges are 2:6 to 3:5 and 6:6 to 7:11).

This subtest assesses ten areas of number concepts and skills. Among the areas are reciting, counting, matching, comparing, recognizing, and solving number concepts.

There are 28 items on this subtest. Children aged 2:6 to 4:5 start with item 1 (counting and pointing), while ages 4:6 to 6:5 begin at item 2, and all others start at item 16. All items except item 1 are scored as 1 or 0. Item 1 (reciting and pointing to ten chips) is scored as 0-3 for both counting correctly as well as pointing correctly. The child may obtain a maximum of 6 points (3 for correct counting and an additional 3 for correct pointing). If the score on the first administration of this item is less than 6, the examiner administers the item again and the child receives the higher of the two scores for reciting as well as the higher of the two scores for pointing.

The Early Number Concepts subtest is considered a good measure of g across all ages (overall r = .82). This subtest does not contribute to either of the two factors (Verbal and Nonverbal). Specificity is ample for all age groups.

Early Number Concepts is considered to possess medium overall reliability (r = .86), with reliability coefficients ranging from .53 to .88 across all of the nine age groups. It correlates best with Verbal Comprehension (r =.61) and least with Recall of Objects (r = .19). It has a high correlation with the GCA (r = .82).

Gf-Gc classification

In the Broad stratum definition of abilities, Early Number Concepts is considered to be a logical measure of Quantitative Knowledge (Gq). In the Narrow stratum of abilities, it is considered to be a probable measure of both Math Achievement (A3) and Mathematical Knowledge (KM) (McGrew & Flanagan, 1998, p. 108). The relatively high correlation with Verbal Comprehension substantiates the subjective impression that language comprehension is also tapped by Early Number concepts.

The Early Number Concepts subtest is described on pages 101 to 108 in the DAS Administration and Scoring Manual and discussed on pages 51 and 52 in the DAS Introductory and Technical Handbook Scoring for Item 1 ranges from 0 to 6 points. Examiners should be sure to read Appendix A (Scoring procedure for Early Number Concepts, Item 1 pp. 415-6) to understand the task and the scoring principles. Certain items ask the child to give a verbal response while others ask the child to point to certain numerals. In either case, the child should be scored as correct if the response given is correct, regardless of the manner in which the response is given. Early Number Concepts is a subtest that requires practice for smooth administration.