WAIS-5: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition

What the WAIS-5 measures

The WAIS-5 is the current edition of the Wechsler adult test. Pearson lists its publication date as 2024 and its age range as 16:0 to 90:11 (Pearson: WAIS-5). It replaced the WAIS-IV, which was published in 2008 (Wikipedia: WAIS).

The test is built around five primary index scales. The biggest structural change from the WAIS-IV is that the old perceptual domain is now split into separate Visual Spatial and Fluid Reasoning scores (Pearson: WAIS-5). Ten primary subtests, two per index, produce the five scores (Pearson: WAIS-5 overview):

Pearson counts 20 subtests in total: 15 kept from the WAIS-IV and 5 new ones (Pearson: WAIS-5 by the numbers). The new subtests are Running Digits, Set Relations, Naming Speed Quantity, Spatial Addition and Symbol Span (Pearson: WAIS-5). Optional summary scores include a Nonverbal Index, a Nonmotor Index, a General Ability Index and a Cognitive Proficiency Index (Pearson: WAIS-5 overview).

Format and timing

Pearson describes the WAIS-5 as an individually administered clinical instrument, given on paper or digitally through its Q-interactive system (Pearson: WAIS-5). The seven subtests behind the Full Scale IQ take about 45 minutes, and the ten primary index subtests about 60 minutes. Pearson says the Full Scale IQ can now be obtained about 20 minutes faster than with the WAIS-IV, and the test has special start points for people suspected of intellectual giftedness (Pearson: WAIS-5).

Scoring and norms

Like other Wechsler scales, the WAIS-5 reports deviation IQ scores: the average for each age group is 100 and one standard deviation is 15 points (Wikipedia: Intelligence quotient). The norms come from 2,020 examinees (Pearson: WAIS-5 by the numbers), collected in 2023 and 2024, and the test is co-normed with the Wechsler Memory Scale, Fifth Edition (Pearson: WAIS-5 overview).

No score is exact. Clinical manuals report a confidence interval, often around plus or minus 5 points at 95%, rather than a single value (Wechsler, 2008). The classification guide explains the labels attached to each score range.

Who gives it and who uses it

Pearson rates the WAIS-5 at qualification level C, its highest purchaser level (Pearson: WAIS-5). Level C tests may be bought only by people with a relevant doctorate and assessment training, a state license, or membership in a body such as APA or NASP (Pearson: qualifications policy). Pearson says the test is used in clinical, educational, correctional, pharmaceutical research and government settings (Pearson: WAIS-5).

WAIS-5 compared with other tests

If you took the older edition, the WAIS-IV page covers its four-index structure. For how the adult test lines up with the children's versions, see WAIS vs WISC vs WPPSI.

Can you practice for the WAIS-5?

The real items are not public, and they should not be. Familiarity does matter: in one study, adults retested on the WAIS-IV after 3 or 6 months gained about 7 Full Scale IQ points, which the authors attributed to practice rather than real change (Estevis et al., 2012).

If you want a feel for matrix-style reasoning before an assessment, our free IQ test for adults and matrix puzzles use original items. They are not WAIS-5 items, and an estimated IQ from IQ Octopus does not predict a WAIS-5 score. The differences are covered in online vs clinical IQ tests.

IQ Octopus is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson. Test names are used only to identify and describe the tests. Our free practice tests are not copies of any published test, and no score on IQ Octopus predicts a score on another test.