Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment ACT and SAT at a young age

Does anyone know if there are ways to take the ACT or SAT exams earlier than seventh grade? The talent search programs list seventh to eighth grade, but I'm sure I have heard of people taking them earlier.

Yes, just register with the College Board or ACT directly, as high school students do. The slight complication is that a test-taker below age 13 cannot register online, so call the College Board or ACT and ask for a paper registration form.

You won't be able to get your child's scores online, but when they were ready they gave me my 8yo's scores over the phone and waived the usual fee for doing so.

There is no age restriction on taking the ACT or SAT. For the SAT (and perhaps ACT), you must use paper registration if you are under 13. You would need to bring some form of ID with you, or some sort of waiver due to age (to exempt you from ID). A passport would work just fine, or a school ID, if the kid has that. Kids do not need to go through a talent search.

Why did it spam the word p-a-s-s-p-o-r-t?

That's very helpful! Thank you for the advice.

The only catch to the above is if your child needs to test with accommodations for a disability-- in that case, there may be additional information needed and the age/grade thing might come up (it doesn't have to, of course-- it's just that in that case a student who is not homeschooled is supposed to involve a school counselor, which is awkward outside of a high school setting).

we signed up our 6th grader for the ACT through NUMATS.

You can even get the reporting code to send scores to the talent search while registering directly with the testing agency. The talent search costs more.

Is there any advantage to having scores sent to a talent search for a child younger than they usually include?

I'd call them and ask.

Thanks... I will do that.