Normative Data for Composite Scores for Children and Adults Derived from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test

Abstract

Norms on seven composite scores derived from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) are reported here. These scores reflect a variety of verbal memory processes: learning, interference, retention over time, and retrieval efficiency. The norms are based on 943 children ranging in age from 8 to 17 years, divided into 10 age cohorts, and 528 adults, ranging in age from 21 to 91 years, divided into 6 age cohorts. Overall, the learning measures were the most sensitive to age. The most significant changes in memory as measured with these composite scores took place in the very young and very old age groups. These changes may be attributable to frontal lobe maturation in youth and deterioration in old age. Female participants show superiority over male participants on various verbal memory measures. These norms on the composite scores are primarily expected to serve the clinician in the process of memory assessment by supplementing the existing norms on individual trials of the Rey AVLT.