Interpreting Common Performance Validity Tests

This tool combines published estimates of PVT sensitivity and specificity with a user-selected base-rate assumption to illustrate how test characteristics and base rates affect predictive values. Published Roor et al. (2024) values are pooled PVT failure rates, not estimates of malingering, deliberate underperformance, or the true prevalence of invalid performance. Calculated values are therefore aids to interpretation rather than definitive probabilities for an individual examinee.

Inputs

Performance Validity Test

Cut-off

Reference population

Base-rate assumption for invalid performance

Published PVT failure rate Enter estimate

Pooled PVT failure rate (Roor et al., 2024)

Observed test result

PPV and NPV depend strongly on the base-rate assumption. Roor et al. (2024) pooled observed PVT failure rates across studies using different PVTs and cut-offs. These rates are not estimates of malingering or deliberate poor performance, and they are not independent estimates of the true prevalence of invalid performance. When used here, they should be treated as illustrative base-rate proxies only.