The Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test (ROWPVT-4)

What is it?

This assessment was created by Nancy A. Martin, PhD and Rick Brownell, MA to assess receptive language, or the ability to comprehend language. It specifically looks for how well someone understands language at the single word level. The administrator of the test reads a word out loud and the examinee responds in any form (speaking, pointing to a picture, etc.) with their answer.

To administer, the clinician will read a word out loud and the client will choose which out of four full-color pictures matches the word. It is presented in multiple choice format and the words can be actions, objects, or concepts. It is a fairly quick assessment, taking only 20 minutes to administer and 5 minutes to score.

Strengths

Strengths of the ROWPVT-4 include the quick administration time, quick scoring time, and that it is untimed, which may relieve some external pressure typically present in a testing environment. Given the flexibility in responses accepted, it can also be used with people who do not speak but are still able to communicate.

Limitations

The fact that it only assesses at the word level is a limitation of the ROWPVT-4. Evaluating at a larger discourse level, like phrase or sentence level, might provide more functional information. Another limitation is that the administration of this assessment relies on auditory input. A hearing screening would be necessary to complete before administering this assessment to ensure accuracy of results.