WG
If you don't have SCAT in your area, your talent search probably uses another similar above level ability test. Which region are you in?
Trin

Willa Gayle,

The Prometric testing centers are located all over the place (do you have a Sylvan Learning Center near you?). I still had to drive 3 hrs each way, but my boys were very appreciative and we made a day of it. http://www.prometric.com/Default.htm
The way to "get" to test is through the talent searches. In order to get into a talent search to register for a test, your child either has to have IQ test data, tested high on standardized tests that schools give in the spring, or get a teacher's recommendation/portfolio. Once you meet that criteria and a small fee, you're given the opportunity to take "advanced level" tests. I don't think you can just register to take the test on your own. The SCAT is expensive (maybe $80) plus johns hopkins fee of maybe $25. The test is short (about 45 minutes or less). This is a good start for 2-6th grades. The EXPLORE test used by Duke TIP and Rocky Mt Talent Search is for 5th-6th graders, takes about 2.5 hrs, and costs $56 (plus talent search fee). After 6th grade, it's SAT/ACT, but going through the talent searches is a good idea because they give you a report showing how your kid did compared to the rest of the population. Very cool.

Here's info on correlating IQ to testing

http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10120.aspx

Cym -
I just walked a IRL friend trough JHU talent search SCAT sign up. They have a parent reccomendation option. Our State tests don't give percentiles, just a top level which is in the to 16 or 22%, but the child did better than DS10 on his tests, so I advised mom to "take the next step." Interestingly, this little boy was a very late talker, late reader, but always very noticibly bright and "different." A few weeks ago we watched "The Lake House" on DVD, at 9 he sat through it and enjoyed it very much. I'm so impressed.

Trinty

There are many positive things that come out of taking advanced level tests, particularly SATs/ACTs. First is the "out-of-the-box" experience for the bright kid. Something different. Second is the feedback from the report they send telling about how the child compares to older kids taking the same test. Good for self-esteem and reality check. Third is practice and experience taking tests before they become part of the "permanent record"--scores will not appear on your child's record if taken before 9th grade. So, there's no pressure and kids can learn the process of test-taking and get comfortable with it. We all know that test scores influence which college you get into and scholarships (not an inconsequential factor when one has 4 children). Also, if their test scores qualify, the kid will be eligible for a huge array of summer programs/institutes. My son didn't have to take qualifying tests for EPGY or selective high school based on his scores (streamlines the process). The talent searches also send all kinds of books and information about programs for gifted kids to him, which are interesting to look through even if we're not going to do them at this time. Finally, somehow fancy prep schools put him on their mailing list and we've received several "invitations" to apply for scholarships to boarding schools across the country. It is fun to look at the brochures and talk to my son about them. He's not interested though. I had such a disfunctional home and would have jumped at opportunities like these, but I'm comforted that my son has no desire to get away from home at this point.

Wow - Cym! sounds like your son did really well! congradulations. How good do you suppose one has to do to be invited to apply for fancy scholarships at fancy boarding schools? We have a few that are near us.

WG,

I just sent in my son's application for the EXPLORE test in Jan.
I saw MN test locations listed on the forms (most were public schools-testing is on two Sat in Jan and Feb).



http://www.act.org/explore/ests/

WG.
The correct talent search name is the “Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS)”.
The Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa conducts the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS) which utilizes the EXPLORE test for grades 4-6. It has a different test for lower grades and uses the ACT for higher grades.

http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/talent-search

You can apply on-line or request an application form.

Sorry for the confusion.

hi Trin-
The test used in our area is the EXPLORE. From what I've read in this thread about it, I don't think Mite would do well on it. My understanding is the SCAT might be a better choice for him -- more about where he is ready to learn rather than what he already knows. He doesn't do well on achievement based testing.

I'm confused. So they have to qualify to take the SCAT? How do they qualify?

I'm sorry. I'm sure all this information is here somewhere. I'm just feeling overwhelmed. I'm not sure what to do first. Should we focus on getting his LD under better management then go for the gifted stuff or will going for the gifted stuff help him deal with the LD things?