Brainworx

New norms

The UK validation project was carried out in 2024–2025, with data collected from a sample that reflects recent societal shifts and trends and matches the most current census on five key demographic variables.

Expanded Clinical Utility

Broader construct coverage of working memory, fluid reasoning, and processing speed

• Working memory: auditory, visual, spatial, capacity, and focus of attention
• Fluid reasoning: verbal, visual, inductive, quantitative, and logical
• Processing speed: verbal and visual

New expanded index scores for increased interpretive clarity

• Insight on discrepancies between two subtests in a primary index score

Non–Verbal Index, Non–Motor Index, and Motor–Reduced Processing Speed Index scores

• Offers improved interpretive clarity and measures of ability not confounded by expressive language or motor problems

Shorter administration time

Comprehensive results in a shorter amount of time

• 45 minutes for the FSIQ
• Around 60 minutes for 10 primary index subtests
• New later start points for those suspected of giftedness

Improved user experience

• Simpler administration and scoring directions
• Available on both Q–interactive and Q–global
• Digital usability improvements, (including a new Q–interactive app)

WAIS–IV vs. WAIS–5 Comparison

 What’s New Improved?

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale® – Fifth UK Edition (WAIS®–5UK), a comprehensive and reliable assessment of cognitive abilities in young people and adults, now features reduced administration time, updated norms, improved clinical utility, and improved user experience.

• Relevant to today’s population with new norms
• Reduced administration time for FSIQ and primary subtests
• Simplified administration and scoring directions
• Flexible with improved clinical utility and numerous ancillary index scores
• New expanded index scores for increased interpretive clarity
• New index scores for examinees with expressive language or motor difficulties
• Expanded construct coverage for working memory, fluid reasoning, and processing speed
• New later start points for those suspected of giftedness

The New WAIS–5UK Subtests

Set Relations

New Fluid Reasoning subtest that measures deductive reasoning and logical thinking.

Running Digits 

New Working Memory subtest that measures auditory working memory, which requires both flexibility in information processing and a progressive shift of attention.

Naming Speed Quantity

New Processing Speed subtest that measures numerical processing fluency and the ability to recognise and label quantities efficiently.

Spatial Addition

A measure of Visual Working Memory that measures visual–spatial working memory and requires storage, manipulation, and ability to ignore competing stimuli (also included on WMS®–IVUK and WMS®–5UK).

Symbol Span

A measure of Visual Working Memory that measures the capacity to hold a mental image of a design in mind and its relative spatial position on the page (also included on WMS–IV and WMS–5).

WAIS–5 UK FAQs

When is the WAIS–5 UK being released? 

The WAIS–5UK is currently in development and will be available in late 2026. 

How has the test structure changed?  

Changes in the test structure include new and separate Visual Spatial and Fluid Reasoning index scores and new measures of verbal reasoning, motor–reduced processing speed, and expanded fluid reasoning and working memory. To augment the primary index scores, the GAI and the FSIQ,14 new ancillary index scores are also available: verbal (expanded crystallised), verbal reasoning, expanded visual spatial, expanded fluid, quantitative reasoning, expanded working memory, visual working memory, auditory working memory–registration, auditory working memory manipulation, expanded processing speed, motor–reduced processing speed, non–verbal, non–motor, and cognitive proficiency. Each of the five cognitive domains features an expanded index score, which is useful if a closer evaluation of one or more domains is needed (e.g., to provide more information about an unusual discrepancy between two subtests of a primary index), or if a particular application requires it (e.g., qualification for Access Arrangements, admission to programmes or organisations for intellectually gifted individuals). The changes were influenced by contemporary structural models of intelligence, neurodevelopmental theory and neurocognitive research, clinical utility and factor–analytic studies.

The separation of Visual Spatial and Fluid Reasoning index scores results in greater interpretive clarity. The addition of visual working memory enhances the scale’s clinical utility due to domain–specific differentiation of working memory abilities. Four of the new ancillary index scores that sample from multiple cognitive domains can be useful for examinees with special circumstances (e.g.,extreme expressive language impairment or decline, extreme motor impairment or decline), or for certain applications (e.g., comparisons with measures of another construct, such as memory or achievement).

Is the WAIS–5 UK quicker to administer than the WAIS–IV UK? 

Yes. Substantial efforts were made during development to achieve the shortest testing time possible and still offer greater construct coverage and flexibility. As a result, administration time is shorter than that of the WAIS–IVUK. For the heart of the test, the primary index scores, the subtests take less time (about 10 minutes) to administer than the WAIS–IVUK. The FSIQ, now with only seven subtests, can be obtained about 20 minutes faster than the WAIS–IVUK. Because administration time is determined by the composite scores desired, it varies based on the practitioner’s choices. The WAIS–5 UK provides 10 secondary subtests to expand the clinical utility. If you opt to administer these subtests, the testing time will be somewhat longer.

Can the WAIS–5UK be administered remotely?   

The WAIS–5UK Non–motor Index (NMI) can be easily applied in remote testing situations. All testing can take place in the remote environment because no manipulatives or response booklets are required. The testing time required to obtain the NMI is slightly less than that of the FSIQ, which is desirable in tele–assessment situations. A similar non–motor score developed by Raiford (2017) has been recommended for remote assessment (Wright & Raiford, 2021). 

The NMI can be interpreted similarly to the FSIQ as a measure of general intellectual ability that eliminates the requirement for motor production. There are some differences in task demands across the two scores that might result in slightly different conceptualisation of the FSIQ and the NMI. The cognitive processes involved in Visual Puzzles, unlike Block Design, do not involve visual–motor integration or trial–and–error problem–solving with feedback. Furthermore, Visual Puzzles may place slightly greater demands on mental rotation. Coding and Naming Speed Quantity each involve cognitive speed and visual scanning. Coding involves encoding and rapidly retrieving newly encoded associations and graphomotor speed, but Naming Speed Quantity involves rapid retrieval of frequently used and overlearned long–term associations and very simple expressive responses.    

Are the Comprehension items updated?  

The questions remain the same, but the sample responses were updated slightly to account for societal and language changes. The scoring criteria for all items are revised. 

Are the WAIS–5 UK items different from WAIS–IV UK on Coding and Symbol Search?   

Coding did not change. The Symbol Search items and the font and spacing are different. Both subtests are administered on paper with the response booklet and are not available digitally on Q–interactive. 

 What are the new subtests?   

Set Relations: New Fluid Reasoning subtest designed to measure logical deductive reasoning, fluid intelligence, and simultaneous processing. It may also involve working memory and crystalliszed knowledge. 

Running Digits: New Auditory Working Memory subtest designed to measure registration and maintenance, including refreshing and updating information held in short –term storage while processing additional stimuli. It is designed to measure aspects of the central executive and episodic buffer and the focus of attention. 

Naming Speed Quantity: New Processing Speed subtest designed to measure numerical processing fluency and the ability to recognize and label quantities efficiently (subitising). 

Spatial Addition: A measure of Visual Working Memory designed to measure visual spatial working memory and requires storage, manipulation, and ability to ignore competing stimuli (also included on WMS®–IVUK  and WMS–5UK). 

Symbol Span: A measure of Visual Working Memory designed to measure the capacity to hold a mental image of a design in mind and the relative spatial position on the page (also included on WMS–IVUK and WMS–5UK).

Kit Materials

How many stimulus books are in the WAIS–5?

There are three stimulus books, but only two of them (i.e., Stimulus Books 1 and 2) are required to administer the subtests that are used to derive the five primary index scores, the FSIQ, and 12 of the 15 ancillary index scores. Stimulus Book 3 contains the Spatial Addition subtest, which is needed to derive the remaining three ancillary index scores.

How many response booklets are in the WAIS–5?