Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test

4
th
Editon







By Leora Fisher and Stephanie Janzen
Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test,
4th Edition
Authors: Lloyd M. Dunn, PhD & Douglas M. Dunn, PhD

Publisher: Pearson

Cost: $419 for Complete Hand-Scoring Kit (A and B) and
ASSIST Software or $227 for the Form A or B Hand-
Scoring Kit
Douglas M. Dunn, PhD
PPVT-4
Purpose of the test: To measure receptive
single word vocabulary for Standard
American English

Age: 2:6 to 90+ years

User Qualifications: Level B
Purpose
Measures responses to intervention
1) Diagnoses reading-language difficulties
2) Assess preschool early language skills
3) Monitors verbal development (progress)
4) Monitors vocab deterioration (aphasia,
dementia etc.)


PPVT-4
Unique Aspects
- Can test non-readers and people with written-
language difficulties
- Can be used with people with cerebral palsy or
other major physical disabilities
- Can be used with people with moderate visual
impairments
- Is used in commercial or rehabilitation
environments
History
The PPVT was first launched in 1959 by two pioneers in the field of special
education, Llyod M. Dunn and Leota M. Dunn. It quickly became one of the
most popular standardized tests to assess the verbal intelligence of an
individual. The first revision was in 1981 which was simply an expanded form of
the original test. The next update was in 1997 (the PPVT-III). It featured
updated content that could be used for identifying special needs. Their son,
Douglas M. Dunn, who was also involved in the creation of the PPVT versions,
co-authored the latest one.
PPVT-4
Lloyd M. Dunn PhD
4th Edition 2007
- Increased the number of easy items to
improve measurement of the vocabulary of
children who function at very low levels.
- Increased the accuracy of test scores
across the range of difficulties
- Updated stimulus words and picture
- Replaced black and white illustrations with
full-colour art!
PPVT-4
Administration
To administer the PPVT, the examiner presents a series of pages that contains four
coloured illustrations. Each picture is numbered. Then, the examiner says a word and
the examinee will identify the number of the picture that best corresponds to the
word. If the examinee has speech problems, he or she may point to the picture.
The examiner requires only pencil and scoring sheet
Covers broad range of vocab levels (preschool to adult).
Begin at a predetermined age-appropriate start item (basal). The ceiling set is either
the first item set in which the respondent makes eight or more errors or the end of
the assessment.
Items sample words that represent 20 content areas (i.e. actions, vegetables, tools)
and parts of speech (nouns, verbs or attributes).
PPVT-4
PPVT-4
Scoring
-By hand or computer entry using their software
-Calculates into deviation-type normative scores,
standard score, percentiles, normal curve equivalent
and stanines
Developmental type scores: age equivalents, grade
equivalents
*The software also allows you to perform a qualitative
anaysis of item performance by part of speech
PPVT-4
Normed on the same sample of over 3,500 individuals ages 2-6 to 81+
matching the current U.S. population along parameters of gender,
race/ethnicity, geographic region, socioeconomic status (students with
disabilities were included but English learners were not).
Standardization for both tests occurred in fall 2005 and spring 2006 to
obtain fall and spring grade-based norms, in addition to age-based norms.
A new score is included in both tests, the Growth Scale Value (GSV),
provides easier interpretation of growth over time for individual students
as well as for classrooms and other groups


Validity studies indicate it is sensitive enough to identify language delayed
students
Reliability in the .90's
PPVT-4
Limits:
-Not useful for students who are blind of deaf
-Narrow focus
-Manual does not include remedial strategies
-Pictures of children only
-Items and illustrations are based on American culture

Strengths:
-Doesn't require reading or oral responses (useful for people with more
severe disabilities or students wth reading or speech problems or
emotionally withdrawn)
-Co-normed with the Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT-2)
-Quick and easy to administer
-Can be computer scored
-Has 2 forms (A & B), useful for retesting
-Scoring is objective
-Recent norms
PPVT-4
Reviewers Opinion:
Overall, we feel that the PPVT -4 is well-designed and useful assessment tool
when assessing the receptive language in children and adults. We love the fact
that it is easy to administer and does not require any reading and oral response
from the participant. We also like the fact the there are two forms that are
available (i.e. form A & B) for re-test purposes. We would defiantly use the
PPVT-4 when assessing the receptive language in English speaking children;
in fact we often use this in place of the receptive language component in the
WIAT.

Special Consideration:
-Would not use this assessment on a newly immigrated student as item (words)
are very North American based
-Would not use this on a new ESL student
-Just a past experience; make sure childrens hands are
clean when they point to the box of their choice as they
may unintentionally mark the answer for the next child.
PPVT-4