Overview
JVR Psychometrics recently updated Raven’s SPM adult norms based on data collected between February 2022 and November 2023, aimed at making our norms more reflective of the current South African population. The shift in norms scores for the samples (previous: N = 1006; and current: N = 1175) are stratified by age groups and are summarised below.
| Age in years | |||||||
Percentile | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 55 |
95th | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
90th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
75th | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 0 | 0 | -2 |
50th | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 | -3 | -2 |
25th | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -2 | -4 | -10 | -9 |
10th | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -5 | -14 | -22 | -20 |
5th | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -9 | -15 | -17 | -17 |
Note. The table indicates the raw score differences at different percentiles that were achieved by subtracting the raw scores of the new norms from the raw scores of the previous norms. Notable score differences are indicated in bold. This is further explained in the practical implications section below. | ||||||||
Practical implications
Minor norm score shifts were observed for the 95th, 90th, 75th, and 50th percentiles across all age categories, where raw score differences ranged from 0 to ±3. For the 25th, 10th, and 5th percentiles, similar shifts were observed for the 20 to 35 age categories where raw score differences ranged from ±1 to ±4. For the 40 to 55 age categories, larger shifts were detected with raw score differences ranging from 2 to 22. These were even larger for the 5th (Age 40+ = -9 to -17), 10th (Age 45+ = -14 to -22), and 25th (Age 50+ = -9 to -10) percentiles. We attribute these shifts to differences in the sample compositions (e.g., samples differed in terms of how they were represented by gender, ethnicity, and education). Negative raw score changes indicate that, with the updated norm (versus the previous norm) test-takers need to obtain a higher raw score to score above a specific percentile. For example, to score above the 5th percentile on the updated norm, 53-57-year-olds’ raw scores need to be 17 points higher. In contrast, positive raw score changes indicate that, with the updated norm (versus the previous norm) test-takers need to obtain a lower raw score to score above a specific percentile. For example, to score above the 5th percentile on the updated norm, 18-22-year-olds’ raw scores need to be 4 points lower. In summary, although changes were observed, there is no need for concern from a practitioner’s viewpoint, as change is expected. We believe that the updated norms are congruent with how the current South African population is represented and we feel confident about its use.
For further information and assistance, please contact advisors@jvrafrica.co.za
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