Relation of Performance on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test—Revised among Preschool Children

Abstract

58 children enrolled in a university preschool or kindergarten program were administered the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test—Revised (PPVT—R). The PPVT—R correlated .75 with the K-BIT composite IQ, .69 with the K-BIT Vocabulary standard score, and .57 with the K-BIT Matrices score. The instruments also showed significant agreement (83%) in classifying children into average versus above average categories based upon a 110 standard score on either instrument. Analysis of K-BIT Vocabulary-Matrices differences showed a mean difference of 6 points favoring Vocabulary. Differences ranged from − 32 points to 43 points. 64% of the subjects scored higher on the Vocabulary than on the Matrices subtest of the K-BIT. 48% of the sample showed differences between scores on Vocabulary and Matrices of 10 points or more disregarding the direction of the difference. Implications for the concurrent validity of the instrument and interpretation of subscale differences for preschool children were discussed.