Picture Vocabulary Size Test (PVST) - Build 1.2.3 - Released November 4, 2021

Sep 28, 2026

Picture Vocabulary Size Test (PVST) is a receptive vocabulary size recognition assessment designed to determine whether test takers can match a partly contextualized word form to a suitable picture. It targets young pre-literate native speakers up to eight years old and young non-native English learners, using two distinct 96-item test sets with the same design. PVST supports formative, diagnostic use and can be administered one-on-one with flexible, supportive guidance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Getting Started (No installation necessary)

Windows

Macintosh OS X

Linux

Aims and target test takers of the PVST

Administering the PVST

Picture Vocabulary Size Test (PVST) Build 1.2.3 (Released November 4, 2021) 1 Laurence ANTHONY and 2 Paul NATION 1Center for English Language Education in Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan. 2School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Introduction The Picture Vocabulary Size Test (PVST) is a test of receptive vocabulary size. The test measures whether the testtaker can find a suitable meaning (a picture) for a given partly contextualized word form. It is a recognition test primarily intended for young pre-literate native speakers up to eight years old and young non-native speakers of English. Two 96-item test sets are included with the test. These test sets use different questions but following the same design procedures. The PVST was designed by Paul Nation of Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and implemented as a software package by Laurence Anthony of Waseda University, Japan. Jannie van Hees of The University of Auckland, New Zealand played an important role in trialing the test. The PVST requires a configuration file (config.txt), a scripts file (scripts.txt) in a "scripts" folder, a set of associated audio files in an "audio" folder, and a set of image files in a "pictures" folder. The configuration file and the scripts file should be UTF-8 encoded. The PVST runs on any standard computer, touch-screen computer, or tablet computer running Microsoft Windows (tested on Win 7), Macintosh OS X (tested on OS X 10.9 Mavericks), or Linux (tested on Linux Mint 17) computers. It is developed in Python and Qt using the PyInstaller compiler to generate executables for the different operating systems. Getting Started (No installation necessary) Windows On Windows systems, simply double click the PVST icon to launch the program. Macintosh OS X On Macintosh systems, simply double click the PVST zip file. The zip file will unzip the PVST application. Throwaway the zip file once the PVST application has been unpacked. Linux On Linux systems, set the permissions to run the executable, then double click the PVST icon to launch the program. Aims and target test takers of the PVST The PVST is intended to be used for formative assessment, particularly diagnostic assessment, where performance on a task such as reading or participating in content-focused oral discussion may be affected by vocabulary size. The PVST is a largely decontextualized measure of receptive vocabulary knowledge to some degree isolating vocabulary knowledge from other skills. As a result, a learner's performance on the PVST can be used as an indication of whether vocabulary knowledge is likely to be a major factor accounting for poor performance on a task. Thus, the test can be used along with other diagnostic procedures for examining alearner's reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. The PVST is primarily intended for use with young pre-literate children from the age of five onwards. With this age group, the test administration needs to take account of the fact that children are experiencing cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth, are learning literacy skills, and are vulnerable (McKay, 2006) . In essence, this means that the test needs to be administered one-on-one in a strongly supportive and flexible way to take account of the individual learner. For example, it is recommended that the administrator sit next to the child, explain how to do the test, and keep the child motivated and on task by providing encouraging comments such as "You are doing well" and "Good" throughout the test. The design of the test also takes account of the young age of its target users with the use of colourful pictures, oral and written cues, a multiple-choice format, and a possible touch-screen-based delivery involving pointing and touching. Although the test is designed p

FAQs

What does the Picture Vocabulary Size Test (PVST) measure?

PVST measures receptive vocabulary size by testing whether a learner can match a given word form to a suitable picture meaning.

What systems can run the PVST application?

PVST runs on standard computers, touch-screen computers, or tablets on Microsoft Windows, Macintosh OS X, or Linux, with versions noted in the document.

How is the PVST administered during the test session?

The administrator loads test items, enters the learner’s biographic information, and the learner proceeds by listening to prompts and selecting matching pictures, with options such as “Don’t Know,” then views estimated vocabulary level and stored results after completion.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin