Various embodiments are generally directed to improved channel quality information feedback techniques. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus for a base station is provided that includes a radio interface and a processor coupled to the radio interface. The processor is configured to receive a channel quality indicator (CQI) index, wherein the CQI index is based on a channel state information (CSI) reference resource, further wherein a first three orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the CSI reference resource are occupied by control signals, select a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) based on the CQI index, and cause transmission of the PDSCH based on the selected MCS via the radio interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.