Evaluation of performance validity using a Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test forced-choice trial
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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
A Two-interval Forced-choice Task for Multisensory Comparisons
Published on: November 9, 2018
Lee Ashendorf1,2, Michael A Sugarman1,3
1a Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital , Bedford , MA , USA.
Objective:
Forced-choice (FC) recognition memory is a common performance validity assessment methodology. This study introduces and evaluates the classification accuracy of a FC recognition trial for the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT).
Method:
The present sample of 122 military veterans (Mean age = 35.4, SD = 9.3) were all administered the RAVLT along with the FC procedure as part of a full neuropsychological protocol. Veterans were assigned to valid (n = 94) or invalid (n = 28) groups based on outcomes of performance validity measures.
Results:
The FC procedure was found to have strong sensitivity (67.9%) and specificity (92.6%) in predicting validity group status based on a cutoff score of ≤ 13. The FC trial outperformed RAVLT recognition hits (sensitivity = 46.4%, specificity = 91.5%) as a predictor of invalid performance.
Conclusions:
The RAVLT FC is demonstrated to be an effective measure of performance validity and is recommended for use as an adjunctive trial for the RAVLT.
