Zen Scanner, I really think that the "how do the gifted score on the SB5" stuff is NOT about a problem with the SB5. That it's about the fact that children tested on old style tests have an appreciable drop on newer tests. This is a combination of the flynn effect in action and also that each time it's adjusted the test somewhat changes what/how it is measuring. The same thing happened between versions of the WISC. I think it looked worse with the SB5 because a lot of SB users (rather than Wechsler users) were still determinedly using the SB-LM when the SB5 came out, making the gap HUGE, as the LM was more than one generation older and using a completely different approach to both testing and scoring (so a worse comparison between the two than say the WISC3 & WISC4). I fully expect a whole new slew of articles like this when the new round of updated IQ tests come out. In fact it already seems there are a bunch of people unhappy with results from the norming of the WPPSI... Kids tested at the end of an IQs life cycle are more likely to test high than those kids caught in the crossover to a new system.
And there is the secondary problem that kids who have scores like 145 on the SB5 or WISC not being seen as having remarkable scores, especially when the tests first came out, because teachers and other relevant parties just did not understand the changes in how scoring worked from older tests to the current ones.
What I will say is the gifted specialist we use a) does not give out age equivalents and b) insists that, as much as a number from any given day is comparable to another day, that SB5 scores should be viewed as equal to WISC4 scores. Which is to say they do NOT support the idea from that Hoagies chart that 124-133 on the SB5 is more like 130-138 on the WISC4.
Davidson also considers both tests valid and the cutoff scores for both to be the same.
There is research showing that the majority of children will do the same on both the WPPSI and SB5 but that a minority will do markedly better on one or the other, but with no predictor of WHICH will yield the better score - the upshot seems to be that some kids do have particular strengths or weaknesses that are hidden or revealed by either test, or maybe it was just good day / bad day.... There is always a risk of random fouling of an IQ test for whatever reason. For my kids they both test better non verbally on the SB, and for my severely 2E kid the SB5 "hides" her biggest weakness (WM is "easier" on the SB5 than the WISC4)...
Personally I find it hilarious that in Australia parents with SB5 results regularly get the eye roll and dismissive "Oh well EVERYONE is gifted on the SB5" response from other professionals and will be told to go get a WISC done (with the implication it will show that their child isn't really gifted at all), while in the USA the SB5 is often viewed as the "Harder" test.
