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What’s new with the WAIS-5 A&NZ?

by Erin Gunelson MBA, Senior Product Manager

Cheerful senior men playing chess together outdoor

There’s a lot happening over here as we develop the new WAIS-5 A&NZ. We wanted to share our latest updates as we get closer to releasing this new assessment. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale®, Fifth Edition: Australian and New Zealand Language Standardised Edition (WAIS®-5 A&NZ) is the most advanced psychometric measure of cognitive abilities and now it can be administered in less time. And that is not all! WAIS-5 A&NZ also features updated norms, expanded clinical utility, and improved user experience.

Check out the latest details on these enhancements, plus learn about five of the new subtests.

New norms

Normative samples were collected in 2023–2024 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 for 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 tasks
    • Processing speed: verbal and visual
  • New expanded index scores for increased interpretive clarity
    • Insight on discrepancies between two subtests in a primary index score
  • Nonverbal Index, Nonmotor Index, and Motor Reduced Processing Speed Index scores
    • Offers improved interpretive clarity and a measure 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

  • Simplification of administration and scoring directions
  • Available on Q-global
  • Digital usability improvements

The new WAIS-5 A&NZ 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 that 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 recognize and label quantities efficiently
  • Spatial Addition: A measure of Visual Working Memory that measures spatial working memory and requires storage, manipulation, and ability to ignore competing stimuli (also included on WMS®-IV A&NZ and WMS-5)
  • Symbol Span: A measure of Visual Working Memory that measures the capacity to hold a mental image of a design in mind and the relative spatial position on the page (also included on WMS®-IV A&NZ and WMS-5)