WAIS-5 & WMS-5 Advanced Clinical Solutions

Sophisticated tools designed to improve the reliability of clinical interpretations, the WAIS^®-5 and WMS^®-5 Advanced Clinical Solutions (ACS) offers valuable data about the performance validity of an individual’s performance on the WAIS-5 and WMS-5, as well as demographically referenced scores and estimates of premorbid cognitive and memory functioning. Use these tools with your standard WAIS-5 and WMS-5 administration or add the Word Choice Test and the Test of Premorbid Functioning to ensure greater clarity in your clinical interpretation.

Demographically Referenced Scores (DRS)
Age Range: 20-90 years

Refine hypotheses about the degree to which a specific memory or ability score is unexpected when compared to individuals with similar background characteristics. DRS provides WAIS-5 and WMS-5 subtest and selected index scores using either education-referenced, or demographically referenced (i.e., age, education, sex, race/ethnicity) t-scores.

Demographically referenced scores have a specific clinical application and do not replace the standard WAIS-5 and WMS-5 age-referenced scores.

Performance Validity (PVTs) | Word Choice Test
Age Range: 16-69 years

Evaluate whether assessment results reflect an individual’s true abilities. The WAIS-5 & WMS-5 ACS includes six robust performance validity measures—five seamlessly embedded within the WAIS5 and WMS5 (1 WAIS-5, 4 WMS-5) and one optional standalone measure, the Word Choice Test—providing clinicians with powerful tools to support sound clinical decision-making.

Premorbid Prediction | Test of Premorbid Functioning 2
Age Range: 16-90 years

Enhance the accuracy of premorbid cognitive and memory estimates with advanced prediction methods that integrate TOPF-2 performance and key demographic variables. Flexible prediction options allow clinicians to base estimates on demographics alone, the TOPF-2 standard score alone, or a combined approach—supporting more nuanced interpretation and confident clinical conclusions.

Materials

• WAIS-5 & WMS-5 ACS PV and WCT Manual Chapter 1
• WAIS-5 & WMS-5 ACS Demographically Referenced Scores Manual Chapter 1
• WAIS-5 & WMS-5 Advanced Clinical Solutions (ACS) Brochure

Sample Reports

• WAIS-5 Score Report with ACS Demographically Referenced Scores
• WMS-5 Score Report with ACS Demographically Referenced Scores

Updates, Structure, and Availability

When are each of the ACS components/features scheduled to be available?

• Demographically Referenced Scores | Available Now
• Performance Validity Report and Word Choice Test | Available August 2026
• Test of Premorbid Functioning – 2 | Available November 2026

What updates were made to the Word Choice Test (external validity measure)?

Subtle changes to wording of the administration directions were made. The structure, content, and scoring were maintained.

What updates were made to the Test of Premorbid Functioning?

The word list was revised and shortened and the complex demographics were updated to include more variables and to remove race/ethnicity as a predictor variable. The TOPF repeated administration prediction model is not included in the prediction models for TOPF-2. The structure, content, and scoring were otherwise maintained.

Why weren’t the Additional Scores for WAIS and WMS included in ACS?

All scores for WMS-5 are included in the WMS-5 Standard Form. The Cancellation subtest in WAIS-IV is not included in WAIS-5.

Was the Social Cognition test updated as part of the WAIS-5 and WMS-5 ACS?

No, however, the Social Cognition test can be used as a stand-alone assessment with no dependency on WAIS-5 and WMS-5.

Is Serial Assessment part of the WAIS-5 and WMS-5 ACS?

No. A broader solution for reliable change measures across serial assessments is being explored.

Are WAIS-5 and WMS-5 Advanced Clinical Solutions available on Q-interactive?

No. ACS is available through Q-global.

Demographically Referenced Scores (DRS)

When should I consider using Demographically Referenced Scores (DRS)?

Age-referenced scores are the primary level of interpretation for WAIS-5 and WMS-5. In general, the most appropriate use of demographically referenced scores is to help detect changes in cognitive functioning from a previous level of functioning. These scores can help answer whether the examinee’s current cognitive functioning is consistent with individuals with similar background characteristics or with the requirements of their current occupational and life circumstances.

The Demographically Referenced Scores Manual provides a comprehensive review of historical and appropriate clinical use of demographically referenced scores, determining when to use them, and considerations and research related to their interpretation.

DRS do not replace WAIS-5 or WMS-5 conventional age-adjusted norms and are not used to describe an individual’s ability level. Therefore, they are not intended to be used for diagnosing intellectual disability or learning disorders which require reference to the general population. Clinicians must evaluate the appropriateness of demographically referenced scores for each individual case.

For further discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of using age-referenced versus demographically referenced scores, see the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (2021), Delis and Kaplan (2025), Delis et al. (2017), Holdnack and Weiss (2013), the National Academy of Neuropsychology and Sports Neuropsychology Society (2022), Umlauf et al. (2023), and Weiss and Saklofske (2020).

What scoring and reporting options are available for Demographically Referenced Scores (DRS)?

Q-global is used to derive demographically referenced scores; scores are not available via hand scoring.

How do I generate a Demographically Referenced Score Report?

DRS reports are listed as a report option within the WAIS-5 and WMS-5 Q-global reporting function.

Enter the scores for the WAIS-5 and WMS-5 in Q-global along with the required demographics, and then select the following report options INSTEAD of the basic Score Report

• WAIS-5 Score Report with ACS Demographically Referenced Scores

• WMS-5 Score Report with ACS Demographically Referenced Scores

Do I need a different report usage for the WAIS-5 and WMS-5 Demographically Referenced Score Reports?

Yes. The WAIS-5 and WMS-5 score reports do not provide demographically referenced scores. The Score Report with ACS Demographically Referenced Scores includes the comprehensive score report followed by the demographically referenced score summary.
 

Performance Validity Report and Word Choice Test (WCT)

What validity measures are included in the PVT?

1 embedded measure from WAIS-5 (RDS), 4 embedded measures from WMS-5 (LM 2 Recognition, VPA 2 Recognition, VR2 Recognition, DE 2 Recognition) and 1 external measure from the Word Choice Test (optional).

What administration, scoring and reporting options are available for the Word Choice Test (WCT)?

Print components and Q-global digital stimulus materials are available for administration. Scoring and reporting is facilitated through Q-global (i.e., Word Choice Test) or scores can be obtained by hand scoring.

How do I generate a WAIS-5 & WMS-5 ACS Performance Validity Report?

Using the Word Choice Test (WCT) manual entry interface on Q-global, enter the select scores for the WAIS-5, WMS-5 and WCT (optional). The Performance Validity Report appears as a report option.

Is the Word Choice Test (WCT) required to get a Performance Validity Report?

No. If the WCT is not administered the Performance Validity Report will provide the five validity measures embedded in WAIS-5 (1) and WMS-5 (4).

Test of Premorbid Functioning – 2 (TOPF-2)

What administration, scoring, and reporting options are available for the TOPF-2?

Print components and Q-global digital stimulus materials are available for administration. Q-global provides scoring and reporting.

What premorbid predictions are offered for WAIS-5 and WMS-5 scores?

• Premorbid IQ: FSIQ, GAI, VCI, PRI, WMI, PSI
• Premorbid memory ability: VMI, VWMI, IMI

What prediction methods are available with TOPF-2?

Like the prior version, predictions can be based on demographics alone, TOPF-2 scores alone, or on both demographics and TOPF-2.

Kits and Materials

What kits are available for the ACS?

Each component solution of the WAIS-5 & WMS-5 Advanced Clinical Solutions (ACS) is sold in a separate kit. Components are also sold separately.

• Available now: WAIS-5 & WMS-5 ACS Demographically Referenced Scores Q-Global Starter Kit

• August | WAIS-5 & WMS-5 ACS Performance Validity Report / Word Choice Q-Global Starter Kit

• November | WAIS-5 & WMS-5 ACS Test of Premorbid Functioning 2 Q-Global Starter Kit

Are Digital Assets available for the ACS materials?

Yes. Manuals, Stimulus Books, and Word Cards are available through the Q-global Resource Library.

Will the legacy Scoring Assistant Software for ACS work with WAIS-5 and WMS-5?

No. Q-global provides scoring and reporting for WAIS-5 and WMS-5 Advanced Clinical Solutions (ACS).