Development: developmental quotient: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Development: developmental quotient

Sample item

An 18-month-old child has a developmental age of 9 months in all domains on formal testing. What is the developmental quotient and what does it indicate?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. 50, indicating global developmental delay

Developmental quotient is developmental age divided by chronological age, multiplied by 100, so 9 divided by 18 gives 50. Delay in two or more domains is global developmental delay, and a DQ below 70 is considered significant. The child needs full evaluation for the cause.

Option by option

  • A. 50, indicating global developmental delay (correct)

    Correct. DQ is 50 with delay across domains, so global delay.

  • B. 200, advanced development

    A DQ of 200 would need a developmental age of 36 months.

  • C. 90, within normal limits

    A DQ of 90 would need a developmental age of 16 months.

  • D. 75, borderline delay in one domain

    The delay here is in all domains and the DQ is lower than 75.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, 50, indicating global developmental delay. Developmental quotient is developmental age divided by chronological age, multiplied by 100, so 9 divided by 18 gives 50.

Why is "200, advanced development" not the answer?

A DQ of 200 would need a developmental age of 36 months.

Why is "90, within normal limits" not the answer?

A DQ of 90 would need a developmental age of 16 months.

Why is "75, borderline delay in one domain" not the answer?

The delay here is in all domains and the DQ is lower than 75.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Development: developmental quotient in Pediatrics. Delay in two or more domains is global developmental delay, and a DQ below 70 is considered significant. The child needs full evaluation for the cause.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Development: developmental quotient?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.