Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Explore test for 3rd grader?

Duke TIP Explore testing starts at 4th grade. My DD8 (4th grader) is taking next month. I believe NUMATs starts at 3rd grade. SCAT for John Hopkins CTY starts at 2nd grade. My DD8 took it when she was in 2nd grade. But most of the summer programs are offered in Northeast and California. CTY online offering is excellent though.

Both DS and DD took the Explore last year as 3rd graders. They were both fine. The actual test is only two hours (1/2 hour each for 4 sections), but you have to add time waiting for everyone, filling out the personal info, doing the few practice questions and a break in the middle. DS finished with a lot of left over time in each section, while DD didn't have enough time to finish any of the sections. It wasn't that stressful for either of them, but they do not have anxiety issues in general.

Our DS8 is going to be taking the Explorer test in Feb. .... the teacher feels confident about his ability but wants to take a month to go one on one and work with him like the public schools do to make sure there are not gaps.

I will let you know how it goes.

I'm not sure that this is a test that should be prepped for, beyond doing the practice test so your kiddo is prepared for the type of test. The point of the test is to challenge kids who don't normally get challenge. it is not tied to school's curriculum such that you want to get rid of gaps so a child can get into a class he is ready for.

I will respectfully disagree. Since this is a "state" test and something that goes on record, then it behooves me to ensure my child is ready. Epecially since he is in 8th grade as opposed to 3rd grade.

Oh, sorry. As for taking it in 3rd grade, I had never heard of the Explore test being a state test or of being on any child's record, unless requested by the parent. And i didnt notice the part about your child being in 8th grade. I was misled by the title of this thread perhaps.

I don't think EXPLORE test is officially a state test. But some high schools may require the score report to screen the incoming 8th graders for honor classes.

Veering a bit OT for a moment, but fwiw, the EXPLORE is given to all 8th graders in our school district, but as erich mentions, it's not an official "state" test, and it's not administered for class placement purposes or for measuring student or school performance etc. Instead it's used to give 8th graders a measure of strengths and weaknesses that they can use in planning their high school academics (with an eye toward college admissions and success in college). With that goal, there isn't any prep given to students in school, other than letting them know what the test format is etc.

polarbear

My son took it last year in 3rd grade.
It is a just part of the bigger picture.
He did great and had no problems.
I did get him a calculator and had him check his homework and use it on the sample test so he would be used to it.

He will not be taking it this year. I feel he is way over tested recently.