Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test: Comments on Administration and Two Methods of Scoring

Abstract

Two methods of scoring the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test exist. One deducts credit for all errors above the lowest basal. The second and correct method deducts credit for errors above the highest basal and gives no credit for responses above the lowest ceiling. The Form A was given to 1,885 5-, 876 9-, 837 10-, and 816 11-yr.-old participants in the Child Health and Development Studies of Oakland, California. 45% of these children had multiple basals causing their scores to differ from 1 to 19 points by method of grading used. Means and standard deviations of the raw scores and IQs by age and method of scoring are presented and demonstrate that one consistent method of grading must be used to obtain valid results. The unexpected high frequency of multiple basals is due to the increase over the past 15 yr. in verbal abilities of average children and the currently extreme difficulty of several questions relative to their placement in the test.