Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion EXPLORE testing

Hi,
I'm a relatively new reader on this forum and have found lots of useful information. My dd10 is in her first year at a gifted school and that is working out better than I could have hoped, after a disastrous couple of years at her previous school.
My question is about taking the Explore test. How do you sign up to take the test in California? I've seen the NUMATS site but they don't seem to have test centers in CA. Can anyone who has had their child take the test in CA let me know how to sign up for it? Thanks!!

I can't answer your question, but note this thread about EXPLORE testing being phased out.

http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/178758/

Thanks. I did see that thread but it looks like they'll continue EXPLORE through 2014 for talent searches. I'd like to have my dd take EXPLORE in order to apply for DYS (she would qualify with WISC-IV scores) rather than spend quite a bit of money doing more individual testing. I don't think that I have the right material to apply for DYS using a portfolio.

If you are in CA, I believe that your regional talent search is CTY not NUMATS. http://cty.jhu.edu/

Here's where I get frustrated with all the different tests. CTY uses the SCAT test for 4th graders and doesn't use the EXPLORE test. Unfortunately DYS doesn't accept the SCAT test and wants either individual testing or EXPLORE for 4th graders. Sometimes I wish there was only one test.

We're in NUMATS, so I'm not sure, but you may be able to test through BESTS. They use EXPLORE.

Someone told me they were able to get testing arranged via a special administration on an ad hoc basis through Belin-Blank even though there were no nearby centers. You could call and ask. Otherwise, I think closest options to CA are Reno or Las Vegas.

You could enter the Duke Talent Search (TIP) and then sign up for ACT explore through them. My daughter (9) is taking the explore test in a couple of weeks. We have done the Hopkins and Northwestern programs because I homeschool and we use both for online coursework.

http://tip.duke.edu/node/244

Not sure where you are in CA but there is a test administered in Las Vegas

I can't be of much help in suggesting a testing center, sorry. What I can do is give Belin-Blank two enthusiastic thumbs-up.

My DD13 took the Explore through them (back in 4th grade and at a local testing center), and more recently has taken the ACT. B-B provides a report along with scores. While the report is a bit boiler plate, it does have valuable information. Like TIP, or CTY, Belin-Blank also can provide access to other resources and opportunities.

Best of luck,
--S.F.