About the WAIS-5 (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fifth Edition)
WAIS-5 (2024) is the newest edition of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the world's most-used adult IQ test. It refines the WAIS-IV (2008) factor structure: 7 Cognitive Domain scores (Verbal Comprehension, Reasoning, Visual Spatial, Working Memory, Processing Speed, Auditory Working Memory, Quantitative Reasoning) plus the traditional Full Scale IQ on mean-100 SD-15 metric.
WAIS-5 was normed on 2,500 US adults aged 16-90 stratified by 2020 US Census variables. New subtests include Naming Speed Quantity and updated working memory measures. Several WAIS-IV subtests were dropped or renamed. Items were refreshed to remove cultural anachronisms identified during the 16-year WAIS-IV reign.
Adoption is gradual: many clinical practices will continue using WAIS-IV through the late 2020s for backward continuity with patient histories. Research consortia (NIH, longitudinal studies) typically wait 5-10 years before switching IQ test editions. Pearson markets WAIS-5 with mandatory examiner training for the new subtests.
The 7 subtests
What the test looks like
WAIS-5 is examiner-administered one-on-one with the test-taker. The examiner uses a stimulus book with pictures, blocks, and other physical materials. The test-taker responds verbally or by manipulating objects. Most subtests have basal and ceiling rules: the examiner starts at an age-appropriate item and continues until the test-taker gets several items in a row wrong.
Verbal Comprehension subtests (Similarities, Vocabulary, Information) involve spoken questions. Vocabulary asks the test-taker to define progressively rarer words. Similarities asks how two things are alike (e.g., "How are an orange and a banana alike?"). Information asks general-knowledge questions of varying difficulty.
Visual Spatial and Reasoning subtests use physical materials and visual stimuli. Block Design has the test-taker arrange colored blocks to match a model design. Matrix Reasoning shows visual patterns with one element missing; the test-taker picks the completion from 4-5 options. Visual Puzzles shows a completed puzzle and asks which 3 pieces from 6 options would create it.
Working Memory subtests are auditory. Digit Span has the examiner read sequences of digits forward, backward, and in ascending order. Letter-Number Sequencing reads mixed letter-number sequences that the test-taker must reorganize (letters alphabetically, numbers ascending).
Specific item content is a Pearson trade secret. To see actual WAIS-5 items, a licensed psychologist must purchase the test kit (~$1,400) from Pearson Assessments.
Source
All test materials and historical content on this page are transcribed from:
Wechsler, D. (2024). WAIS-5 Technical and Interpretive Manual. NCS Pearson.
WAIS-5 is the newest Wechsler adult test (2024). Pearson holds active copyright.
Want a modern IQ score?
The WAIS-5 (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fifth Edition) is a historical artifact. For a contemporary IQ score using modern norms, take our modern full IQ test.
Take the Modern IQ Test