The Academic Vocabulary Test (AVT) is a test based on a matching (“multiple choice”) format. The test measures knowledge of words (at the level of meaning recognition) sampled from the Academic Vocabulary List (AVL; Gardner & Davies, 2014), and can serve “as a tool for working pedagogically [with. . .and] highlight more things we need to learn and think about with respect to academic vocabulary” (Pecorari et al., 2019, p. 69).
The AVT exists in two forms. The two forms can be used as pre- and post-tests, or as part of pre- and post-intervention measures. If only a single administration is planned, either version can be used or, if more time is available, the two can be combined to provide a more reliable measure of academic vocabulary knowledge.
The Academic Vocabulary Test (AVT) was developed by Diane Pecorari, Professor, University of Leeds, Philip Shaw, Professor Emeritus, Stockholm University, and Hans Malmström. Professor, Chalmers University of Technology.
The original paper describes the approaches used to assess the validity and equivalence of the two forms of the test:
Pecorari, D., Shaw, P., & Malmström, H. (2019). Developing a new academic vocabulary test. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 39, 59-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2019.02.004
