What is the population sample size?  The standardization samples for the MAVA^™ included over 1,300 children for the receptive test and over 1,200 for the expressive test. Both samples closely resemble the U.S. Census Bureau data for 2007.

What ages does the MAVA^™ assess?  The MAVA™ assesses the receptive and expressive vocabulary of children ages 3;0-12;11.

Does the MAVA™ have norm-referenced scores?  Yes. The MAVA^™ has separate standard scores, percentile ranks, and age equivalents for the Receptive Vocabulary Test and Expressive Vocabulary Test.

How long does the MAVA^™ take to administer?  It takes 30-40 minutes to administer both tests of the MAVA™ and 15-20 minutes to administer one of the tests (receptive or expressive).

How did you choose the words for the MAVA^™?  Dr. Montgomery selected the words for the MAVA^™ using the three word tiers identified by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan (2002).

What are the three word tiers?  Tier one words are the most basic words. They are the early reading words, sight words, nouns, verbs, and adjectives that students learn to identify or decode with instruction. Examples of tier one words are: boy, fence, happy, chicken, green, fancy, and running. There are about 8,000 word families in English in tier one.

Tier two words are the high frequency words that are found in many domains. They play a large role in our speaking and reading vocabulary. These words often represent multiple meanings, subtle nuances, and typically "add productivity to an individual's language ability" (Beck, et al. 2002, p.16). Tier two words are the most important ones to directly teach to students because they are assumed to be known as students progress through school. Examples of tier two words are: masterpiece, preference, fortuitous, glean, and measure. There are about 7,000 word families in English in tier two.

Tier three words are those related to specific domains and have a low frequency of use. Domains might include subject areas in school, hobbies, geographic regions, technology, weather, etc. Examples of tier three words are: ukulele, asphalt, genome, crepe, cornice. The remaining 400,000 words in English fall in this tier (Beck, et al. 2002; Graves, 2006).

What is the Qualitative Response Analyzer?  The MAVA^™ kit also includes an online Qualitative Response Analyzer that automatically sorts the words the child identifies into three word tiers (for an explanation of word tiers, please see click here). Create intervention goals and learning strategies by pinpointing where the child needs help the most. Some children will need help with basic words while other children will need help with high frequency, multiple meaning words, and curriculum-based words. This online program will help you determine the types of words to target.

Did you compare the MAVA^™ to another test?  Yes. In comparing the MAVA^™ to the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test and the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, we found that the tests examine similar skills.

Where can I go to see forms for the test?  click here to view forms.

Can I preview the MAVA^™ complete kit?  Yes. Have the supervisor of your district, school, or speech department fax your request on company/school letterhead (1-800-978-7379), and we will send you a review copy. You may also email the request to Customer Help at customerhelp@superduperinc.com, or contact Customer Help at 1-800-277-8737.

Do you offer training for the MAVA^™ test?  Click here to view training information.

What is included in the MAVA^™ kit?  The complete MAVA^™ kit includes:

• Examiner's Manual
• Two test easels
• 30 Receptive forms
• 30 Expressive forms
• Calculator-clipboard
• Sturdy tote bag
• Online Qualitative Response Analyzer

How is the MAVA™ different from other vocabulary tests?  The MAVA^™ is the only all-in-one receptive and expressive vocabulary test. You save time and money! The MAVA^™ also organizes the stimulus words by word tiers and provides a FREE, online Qualitative Response Analyzer to help you create appropriate intervention goals for your students.

What is the percentage of words in each tier that a student should know at each age/grade? For example, a student in 2nd grade receives a standard score of 96 (average) on the Expressive Test of the MAVA. The Qualitative Response Analyzer states that the student knew 97% of the words in Tier 1, 43% in Tier 2, and 7% of the Tier 3 words.   There is no specific percentage of words in each tier that a student should know by a certain age/grade. In this case, you would not work on Tier 1 vocabulary (early reading words, common oral vocabulary) because the student knows 97% of these words. You could write a goal for Tier 2 words to improve expression of high-interest and/or multiple meaning words. If the student is not receiving special education services, these words could be targeted in the general education classroom with the speech-language pathologist helping to identify these words. For Tier 3 words (words learned from exposure to school subject areas, life experiences, special interests) this 2nd grade student is too young to consider 7% a deficit area since his expressive vocabulary score is average. You might, however, want to continue monitoring the student’s curriculum-based vocabulary. Webber® Core Curriculum Vocabulary Cards – Levels One and Two, are perfect for targeting the words students need to know in 1st and 2nd grades.