The main goal of this book is to enable examiners to use the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities as a clinical tool for evaluating preschool and primary-grade children. However, before an examiner becomes too concerned with issues relating to test interpretation, he or she should first understand thoroughly certain basic considerations. Practical issues pertaining to the McCarthy, such as its advantages and disadvantages and tips for administration, are therefore treated in Part I; interpretation of the profile and integration of the McCarthy with other tests are treated in Parts II and III. The chapters in the book are: (1) The McCarthy's Role in Assessing Young Children; Administration and Scoring of the 18 Tests: Special Considerations and Helpful Hints; (3) Computing Prorated Indices When a Test is Spoiled or Not Given; (4) The Six Scales and What They Measure; (5) Interpreting the General Cognitive Index and the Scale Index Profile; (6) Interpreting Specific Areas of Strength and Weakness; (7) Interpreting the McCarthy Qualitatively; (8) Using the McCarthy as Part of a Larger Test Battery; and (9) Illustrative Case Reports of nine children. The Scales' usefulness in testing young children, learning disabled children, and minority groups are also discussed. (Author/CTM)