The TVMS-3 assesses how well an individual can coordinate visually guided fine-motor movements to copy a design while it is in sight. The test is used to determine whether there are any systematic distortions or gross inaccuracies in the copied design that could be the result of deficits in visual perception, motor planning, and/or execution. The scoring system has been greatly simplified, with no need for a ruler or protractor. Additionally, a single test replaces the two levels of the previous version (i.e., TVMS-R, TVMS-UL), making the test both easier to administer and more economical. The need for the alternate quick-scoring method that was offered previously for the TVMS-R has also been eliminated in this version.
Administration and Scoring
The examinee is given a test booklet containing a series of 39 geometric designs of increasing complexity and is asked to reproduce each design as closely as possible; however, he or she may not sketch or trace the designs, and he or she may not attempt more than one copy for each design. The test is not timed. Results are expressed as a general accuracy standard score and an analysis of errors seen in the copied design. The manual contains detailed descriptions and examples of actual test results obtained during the norming study, showing the error types and scoring guidelines. The manual also contains a scoring tutorial that details the scoring process using annotated examples for all error types, and includes practice exercises. The scoring sheet has a built-in guide to the types of errors possible on each design. Nine types of errors are identified:
- Incorrect Closures
- Incorrect Angles
- Line Quality
- Line Lengths
- Line Connections
- Modification of Size or Part
- Addition or Deletion of a Part
- Rotation or Reversal
- Shape Overlap Error
Analysis of the types of errors made provides a detailed evaluation of visual-motor skills. Results can be reported as standard scores, percentile ranks, or age equivalents. When used along with a test of visual perception, the tests can differentiate between impairments that are primarily visual-motor in nature and perceptual difficulties.