Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test - Third Edition (PPVT-III) [Test review]

Address: Psyscan Corporation, Richmond Hill, Ontario Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Cost: PPVT -Forms IIIA & IIIB Test Kits $430.00 PPVT-IIIA Test Kit $232.00 PPVT-IIIB Test Kit $232.00 Record Forms (25 copies) $ 45.00 PPVT-III Assist (computer software) $389.00

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test - Third Edition (PPVT-III) was revised by Lloyd M. Dunn & Leota M. Dunn and published by American Guidance Service in 1997. The PPVT-III is an individually administered, untimed, norm-referenced, wide-range test that measures the receptive and hearing vocabulary for Standard American English. It is available in two parallel forms designated as Form IIIA and Form IIIB. The original form (the PPVT), written by the same authors, was developed in 1959 and revised in 1981 (PPVT-R).

Description

Purpose of the Test

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test - Third Edition (PPVT-III), which was co-normed with Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT), is an individually administered norm-referenced test of receptive vocabulary, i.e., a measure listening comprehension of spoken words for children and adults. The PPVT-III is designed for individuals between 2 and 90+ years of age, who have been exposed to Standard American English and who can hear and see reasonably well. It is primarily used to provide speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, and other allied professionals with a valid, reliable norm-referenced measure of receptive (hearing) vocabulary. Word retrieval is evaluated by comparing expressive and receptive vocabulary skills using standard score differences between EVT and PPVT-Ill.

This instrument may serve as a screening test of verbal ability and/or as one element in a comprehensive battery of cognitive processes if English is the language of the home, school, and community. Further, the authors purport that the test may be used to screen children for giftedness, low ability and language difficulties due to its wide range of items and verbal focus. The test results, as described by Dunn and Dunn, may serve as a measure of the examinee's achievement because they shows the extent of vocabulary acquisition to date. Test data may also reflect scholastic aptitude test via a quick estimate of the examinee's vocabulary, which is considered a major aspect of verbal ability. However, it is not intended as a comprehensive test of general intelligence.

Nature of the Test

The PPVT-III can usually be administered...