Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Explore Tests

No need to apologize. I have been reading your posts with interest. Your dd and my dd are about the same age, so the info applies to both of them.

Good morning dottie.

Name alert (please see above post).

my $0.02:

DS13 did the EXPLORE test when he was in 6th grade (age 10). DS12 never took it because it conflicted with Science Olympiad competition. DS9 took it in 5th grade (age 9). It was good for DS9 because it was do-able, not overwhelming. It has algebra in the math, a science section with inferences from charts, and some long reading sections and advanced grammar, language arts. The test is produced by ACT, so imagine it is similar. When DS13 took it, it wiped him out--he said it was Hard. He did very well (94%) nonetheless, mostly because of his advanced reading ability (he was >12.9 level on STAR at that point). DS9 scored the same overall, but mostly because of math. Would I test DS6 next year with this year, after he turns 7 (3rd grade), with that test? No. Partly because it's 3 hrs drive each way to go take it. Mostly because he'll be overwhelmed and turned off by the test because it's too hard for him even though he's 5-6 grade reading level and about 5th grade math. Stamina issue, too. The SCAT was a perfect, shorter test to start with and I think I'll wait till he's about 8 or 9 to do EXPLORE.

.02 worth a dollar.
Good food for thought. I DON'T want her to get turned off of academics and test taking at this point. I think I'll re-assess in December. Probably the earliest I will consider it for her is this Jan. after just turning nine. But probably only if she progresses confortably, well into sixth grade math, the other subjects seem to have been naturally leading her math.
Interestingly, DD8 seems to test higher on out of level achievement tests than what I would consider her realistic working level, so it will be interesing to see if she does on the Explore as well.
All things considered, I think it would be wise to tell her the test is designed for older children. That while she should attempt to figure out all the answers, it would be normal for her not to know some. This has worked well for her for the two out of level achievement testing she has already had. That might backfire for a different personality child, though. DD6, for example!

Hi Neato,

I found a sample test in the Explore website. It definitely seems doable. If the real test is anywhere close to that, our 8 yr olds would do just fine. My dd would be close to 9 by the time the test is available.

Thank you all for your help.

Thank you Bianca. I didn't see that, I will go check it out. Perhaps if our girls take the test at the same time, we can start our own "support thread" while waiting for results!

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for starting this thread. My DS8 will take some form of achievement tests in the fall for his DYS application. I had never heard of the Explore test before joining this group, so I am learning a lot. But I can't see him sitting for two hours for a test. (yikes!) Keep up the good work of educating us newbies! (LOL)

The WIAT achievement test is also about that long, although can be finished a little sooner. The difference is that they are one on one, kind of like the IQ test. I know DD likes that personal attention!
I would guess the WJ is the same but we don't have experience with that one.

I think every child has different tolerances & reactions. Your daughters who will be 9 should be fine in EXPLORE, I would think. I am more thinking out my reasoning for why my 3rd grader wouldn't take advantage of an above-level test & it really depends on the kid. My little DS is very easily shut down--if he forms an opinion once, it's very hard to change his mind. (Stubborn? maybe that's the right word.)

I saw on the requirements for DYS, it said 3rd grade EXplore test but I've not been able to find any info. I've found info on the later grades but not 3rd grade. Is this what you all are discussing?