1 · STRUCTURE AND FORMATS
Two parallel sets, two ways to answer
DEFINITIONS FORMAll open-endedThe respondent explains each word and an administrator records the reply. It is particularly useful with dyslexic people and others who find reading or writing difficult, and yields qualitative information multiple choice cannot.2
SYNONYM FORMPick from sixIn the alternative presentation, the respondent selects the correct synonym for each word from six alternatives.1
MIXED FORMSSets A and BThe two parallel 44-word sets are arranged in different combinations of open-ended and multiple-choice formats; the most widely used versions derive from the open-ended form.2
2 · HOW THE LIST IS GRADED
From "cap" to "minatory"
RATE OF GROWTH≈ 3 / yearBetween ages 5 and 16, children of average intelligence can usually define about three additional words per year.1
HARDESTOnly a small minority of adults can define the most difficult words.1
reconditeexiguousminatory
These six example words are quoted from the Oxford Reference entry; the rest of the list is not reproduced.1
3 · WORDS AND MATRICES TOGETHER
Utterly different tasks, strongly related scores
≈ .75Correlation with the matricesDespite the utterly different ways in which the two tests are answered.1
eductiveThe matrices' abilityRaven's framework pairs eductive and reproductive abilities; vocabulary tests weigh especially on the latter.2
one originRaven's two early testsHis early work produced the Progressive Matrices and a vocabulary test that later became known as the Mill Hill Vocabulary Test.5
4 · TRY THE SYNONYM FORMAT
Climb until you stop knowing
Pick the closest meaning from six options — the multiple-choice presentation. Words get rarer as you go. Switch between two parallel sets, as the real scale has Set A and Set B.
1mug
2· · ·
3· · ·
4· · ·
5· · ·
6· · ·
7· · ·
8· · ·
9· · ·
10· · ·
Words and options written for this page, not from the Mill Hill list. No norms applied.
WORD 1 OF 10 · SET A
mug
5 · LATER FORMS AND USE
A family of vocabulary scales
1944
Original formPublished by J. C. Raven as a companion to the Progressive Matrices.1
—
Crichton Vocabulary ScalePart of Raven's Vocabulary Scales alongside the Mill Hill scales and a Short Form.3
1998
Manual radically revisedThe Mill Hill section adds guidance on the Short Form and a framework for classifying abnormal responses.2
2000
US norms supplementResearch Supplement No. 3 compiles US school-district and ethnic norms.2
today
Research and schoolsSold in UK school kits for ages 7–18 with SPM+, and used as a 25-word synonym task in trials.6
6 · REFERENCES
Sources cited on this page
- [1]Mill Hill Vocabulary scale. In A Dictionary of Psychology. Oxford Reference.oxfordreference.com
- [2]Raven's Progressive Matrices and Vocabulary Scales: A list of the tests and manuals. ResearchGate.researchgate.net
- [3]Raven's Vocabulary Scales (RVS) — test review. British Psychological Society.explore.bps.org.uk
- [4]Manuals 1998–2004: Editions of the Manual to Raven's Progressive Matrices and Vocabulary Scales. Eye on Society.eyeonsociety.co.uk
- [5]Wikipedia contributors. John C. Raven (accessed 29 Sept 2026).en.wikipedia.org
- [6]Raven's Educational product range (SPM+/MHV and CPM/CVS kits). Dyslexia Action Shop.dyslexiaactionshop.co.uk
- [7]ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04344028 — Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale outcome (25-word synonym task).clinicaltrials.gov
HOW TO CITE THIS PAGE
What's Your IQ. (2026). Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale (1944). In Historical IQ Tests Archive. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from /en/historical-iq-tests/raven-mill-hill-vocabulary-1944
EDITORIAL RECORD
First published2026
Last reviewed29 September 2026
Sources7 cited, all from one visible search
Open questionsWhy "Mill Hill"; Crichton scale date
Canonical URLwhats-your-iq.com/en/historical-iq-tests/raven-mill-hill-vocabulary-1944
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Part of the Historical IQ Tests Archive. Editorial content under CC BY-SA 4.0. Raven's Vocabulary Scales are published commercially; only six example words quoted from a reference work appear here.